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[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 112 (Monday, June 11, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26946-26947]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-12415]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service

Information Collection Activity; Comment Request

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, as 
amended), the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) invites comments on this 
information collection for which RUS intends to request approval from 
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by August 10, 2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michele Brooks, Team Lead, Regulatory 
Team, Rural Development Innovation Center, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, STOP 1522, Room 5164, South 
Building, Washington, DC 20250-1522. Telephone: (202) 690-1078. FAX: 
(202) 720-8435. Email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) 
regulation (5 CFR 1320) implementing provisions of the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13) requires that interested members 
of the public and affected agencies have an opportunity to comment on 
information collection and recordkeeping activities (see 5 CFR 
1320.8(d)). This notice identifies an information collection that RUS 
is submitting to OMB for extension.
    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the Agency, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the Agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information including the validity of the 
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: Michele 
Brooks, Team Lead, Regulatory Team, Rural Development Innovation 
Center, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, STOP 
1522, Room 5164, South Building, Washington, DC 20250-1522. Telephone: 
(202) 690-1078, FAX: (202) 720-8435. Email: 
[email protected].
    Title: Substantially Underserved Trust Areas.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0147.
    Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The RUS provides loan, loan guarantee and grant programs 
for rural electric, water and waste, and telecommunications and 
broadband infrastructure. The SUTA initiative gives the Secretary of 
Agriculture certain discretionary authorities relating to financial 
assistance terms and conditions that can enhance the financing 
possibilities in areas that are underserved by certain RUS electric, 
water and waste, and telecommunications and broadband programs. The 
data covered by this collection of information are those materials 
necessary to allow the agency to determine applicant and community 
eligibility and an explanation and documentation of the high need for 
the benefits of the SUTA provisions. Program specific application 
materials, which funds are being applied for, are covered by the 
information collection package for the specific RUS program.

[[Page 26947]]

    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 30 hours per response.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 30.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from MaryPat 
Daskal, Regulatory Team, Rural Development Innovation Center, at (202) 
720-7853, FAX: (202) 720-8435. Email: [email protected].
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of 
public record.

    Dated: May 29, 2018.
Christopher A. McLean,
Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-12415 Filed 6-8-18; 8:45 am]
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