[Federal Register: January 6, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 4)]
[Notices]               
[Page 904]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr06ja06-14]                         

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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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[[Page 904]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Office of the Secretary

 
Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed collection; comments requested.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Office of Community Development's intention to 
request an extension for a currently approved information collection in 
support of the program for 7 CFR part 25 Rural Empowerment Zones and 
Enterprise Communities (EZ/EC).

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by March 7, 2006 to be 
assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Yvette Butler, Program Specialist, 
Office of Community Development, U.S. Department of Agriculture, STOP 
3203, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-3203, or by 
e-mail: Yvette.Butler@wdc.usda.gov. Telephone: 202-690-4743.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Rural Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities (EZ/EC).
    OMB Number: 0570-0027.
    Expiration Date of Approval: May 31, 2006.
    Type of Request: Extension for a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: USDA Rural Development's Office of Community Development 
administers the rural Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities (EZ/
EC) program, an initiative designed to provide economically depressed 
rural areas and communities with real opportunities for growth and 
revitalization. Its mission: To create self-sustaining, long-term 
economic development in areas of pervasive poverty, unemployment, and 
general distress, and to demonstrate how distressed communities can 
achieve self-sufficiency through innovative and comprehensive strategic 
plans developed and implemented by alliances among private, public, and 
nonprofit entities.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 11 hours per response.
    Respondents: Rural Empowerment Zones, Rural Enterprise Communities 
and Champion Communities.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 110.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 2.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 220.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 2,402 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Cheryl 
Thompson, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, Support Services 
Division at (202) 692-0043.

Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the Office of the Secretary, including whether the information will 
have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Office of the 
Secretary'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 Cheryl Thompson, Regulations and Paperwork 
Management Branch, Support Services Division, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Rural Development, STOP 0742, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., 
Washington, DC 20250-0742. 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: December 27, 2005.
Allan Johnson,
Acting Under Secretary, Rural Development.
 [FR Doc. E6-35 Filed 1-5-06; 8:45 am]

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