[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 223 (Wednesday, November 19, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61727-61728]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-30372]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Housing Service


Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCIES: Rural Housing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed collection: comments request.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Rural Housing Service (RHS) intention to request 
an extension for a currently approved information collection in support 
of compliance with applicable acts for planning and performing site and 
other development work.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by January 20, 1998 to 
be assured consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Samuel J. Hodges III, Architect, 
Program Support Staff, RHS, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Stop 0761, 
1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, DC 20250-0761, Telephone 
(202) 720-9653.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Title: 7 CFR 1924 Subpart C, ``Planning and Performing Site 
Development Work.''
    OMB Number: 0575-0164.
    Expiration Date of Approval: January 31, 1998.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The information collection under OMB Number 0575-0042 
enables RHS to effectively administer the policies, methods and 
responsibilities in planning and performing site development work for 
the related construction programs.
    Section 501 of Title V of the Housing Act of 1949, as amended, 
authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to extend financial assistance 
to construct, improve, repair, replace or rehabilitate dwellings, farm 
buildings and/or related facilities to provide decent, safe and 
sanitary living conditions and adequate farm buildings and other 
structures in rural areas.
    The Agency makes direct and guaranteed loans to applicants of up to 
100 percent of the appraised value of the property, therefore, the site 
and its development are an integral part of the building construction 
and related facilities being financed. The information collection 
required by this regulation is necessary to assure orderly development 
of rural areas leading to economically stable communities that consider 
the impact of the environment and protection of the borrower and 
Government security interests.
    Other information collection is required to conform to numerous 
Public Laws applying to all federal agencies, such as: Civil Rights 
Acts of 1964 and 1968, Historic Preservation Act, Environmental Policy 
Act; and to conform to Executive Orders governing use of federal funds. 
This information is cleared through the appropriate enforcing Agency or 
other executive Department.
    The Agency provides forms and/or guidelines to assist in the 
collection and submission of information. The information is usually 
submitted via hand delivery or U.S. Postal Service to the appropriate 
Agency office.
    The information is used by the Agency to determine whether a loan 
can be approved, to ensure that the Agency has adequate security for 
the loans financed, to provide for sound construction and site 
development work and to determine that the requirements of the 
applicable Acts have been met. The information is also used to monitor 
compliance with the terms and conditions of the Agency loans and to 
monitor the prudent use of federal funds.
    If the information were not collected and submitted, the Agency 
would not have control over the type and quality of construction and 
site development work planned and performed with federal funds. The 
Agency would not be assured that the security provided for loans is 
adequate, nor would the Agency be certain that decent, safe and 
sanitary dwelling or other adequate structures were being provided to 
rural residents as required by the different Acts.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 0.138 hours per response.
    Respondents: Individuals or households, business or other for-
profit, non-profit institutions, and small businesses or organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 30,000.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.5.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 6210 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Renita 
Bolden, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, at (202) 690-1766.

Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information

[[Page 61728]]

is necessary for the proper performance of the function of RHS, 
including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the 
accuracy of RHS's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of 
information, including the validity of methodology and assumptions 
used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on those who are to respond, including 
through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or 
other technological collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology. Comments may be sent to Renita Bolden, Regulations and 
Paperwork Management Branch, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural 
Development, Stop 0743, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, DC 
20250-0753. All responses to this notice will be summarized and 
included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will become a 
matter of public record.

    Dated: November 6, 1997.
Jan E. Shadburn,
Administrator, Rural Housing Service.
[FR Doc. 97-30372 Filed 11-18-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-07-U