[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 81 (Thursday, April 25, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18371-18372]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-10026]



-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Housing Service


Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY: Rural Housing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed collection; comments request.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Rural Housing Service's (RHS) intention to request 
an extension for the currently approved information collection in 
support of the Community Programs Guaranteed Loans.

DATES: Written comments must be received by June 24, 1996 to be assured 
of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Melvin R. Padgett, Community Programs 
Senior Loan Specialist, RHS, USDA, Ag. Box 3222, Washington, DC 20250-
3222, Telephone (202) 720-1495.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Title: Community Programs Guaranteed Loans.
    OMB Number: 0575-0137.
    Expiration Date of Approval: September 30, 1996.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The Community Programs (CP) loan program was authorized 
by the Rural Development Act of 1972. RHS was authorized to guarantee 
CP loans by Pub.L. 101-161 enacted November 21, 1989. The loans are 
made by private lenders to public bodies and non-profit corporations 
for the purpose of improving rural living standards and for other 
purposes that create employment opportunities in rural areas. 
Eligibility for this program includes community facilities located in 
cities of up to 20,000 population, and water and waste disposal 
facilities

[[Page 18372]]

located in cities of up to 10,000 population.
    Since 1990, more than 160 community facilities have received loans 
totaling nearly $146 million guaranteed through the CP program.
    These loans can be made for a variety of purposes including 
healthcare, public buildings and improvements, fire and rescue, 
easements, or buildings; purchase of equipment, machinery, or supplies; 
repair and modernization; pollution control; transportation services; 
start up and working capital; and feasibility studies. The rate and 
terms of the loan are negotiated between the applicant and the lender. 
The information collected is used by RHS to manage, plan, evaluate and 
account for Government resources. The reports are required to ensure 
the proper and judicious use of public funds.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 16.24 hours per response.
    Respondents: Non-profit corporations and public bodies.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 175.
    Estimated Number of Responses Per Respondent: 7.74.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 22,012 hours.
    Copies of this information can be obtained from the Director, 
Regulations and Paperwork Management Division, at (202) 720-9725.

Comments

    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 should be sent to the 
Director, Regulation and Paperwork Management Division, U.S. Department 
of Agriculture, RECD, Ag. Box 0743, Washington, DC 20250. All comments 
will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All 
comments will also become a matter of public record.

    Dated: April 15, 1996.
Jan E. Shadburn,
Acting Administrator,
[FR Doc. 96-10026 Filed 4-24-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-32-U