[Federal Register: August 7, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 151)]
[Notices]               
[Page 44605]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr07au06-19]                         

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Notices
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
appearing in this section.

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[[Page 44605]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

 
 Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

August 2, 2006.
    The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following 
information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments 
regarding (a) whether the 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 burden including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (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 should be addressed to: Desk 
Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB), OIRA_Submission@OMB.EOP.GOV or 
fax (202) 395-5806 and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, 
Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602. Comments regarding these 
information collections are best assured of having their full effect if 
received within 30 days of this notification. Copies of the 
submission(s) may be obtained by calling (202) 720-8681.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information 
unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB 
control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to 
respond to the collection of information that such persons are not 
required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays 
a currently valid OMB control number.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: Request for Release of Lien and/or Approval of Sale.
    Omb Control Number: 0572-0041
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is a 
credit agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that makes 
mortgage loans and loan guarantees to finance electric, 
telecommunications, and water and waste facilities in rural areas. RUS 
manages loan programs in accordance with the Rural Electrification Act 
(RE Act) of 1936, 7 U.S.C. 901 et seq., as amended (RE Act). A 1949 
amendment to the RE Act established the telephone program in RUS with 
the purpose of making loans to furnish and improve rural telephone 
service. Section 201 of the RE Act provides that loans shall not be 
made unless RUS finds and certifies that the security for the loan is 
reasonably adequate and that the loan will be repaid within the time 
agreed. In addition to providing loans and loan guarantees, one of RUS 
main objectives is to safeguard loan security until the loan is repaid.
    Need and Use of the Information: A borrower's assets provide the 
security for a Government loan. The selling of assets reduces the 
security and increases the risk of loss to the Government. A borrower 
seeking permission to sell some of its assets uses RUS Form 793. The 
form contains detailed information regarding the proposed sale. If the 
information in Form 793 is not collected when capital assets are sold, 
the capital assets securing the Government's loans could be liquidated 
and the Government's security either eliminated entirely or diluted to 
an undesirable level. This increases the risk of loss to the Government 
in the case of a default.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; State, 
Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 60.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 165.

Charlene Parker,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
 [FR Doc. E6-12767 Filed 8-4-06; 8:45 am]

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