[Federal Register: April 17, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 73)]
[Notices]               
[Page 17814]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17ap09-19]                         

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Notices
                                                Federal Register
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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 17814]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

 
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

April 14, 2009.
    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: RUS Specification for Quality Control and Inspection of 
Timber Products.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0076.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is a 
credit agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and is 
authorized to manage loan programs in accordance with the Rural 
Electrification Act (RE Act) of 1936, 7 U.S.C. 901 et seq., as amended. 
It makes mortgage loans and loan guarantees to finance 
telecommunications, electric, and water and waste facilities in rural 
areas. To ensure the security of loan funds, adequate quality control 
of timber products is vital to loan security on electric power systems 
where hundreds of thousands of wood poles and cross-arms are used.
    Need and Use of the Information: RUS will use the information in 
verifying acceptability of poles and cross-arms purchased by RUS 
borrowers. Each year, RUS borrowers are required to submit an Annual 
Summary of Purchases that provides a list of plants from which it 
obtained poles or cross-arms during the preceding calendar year and 
Treaters must provide notification that they will treat poles for the 
upcoming year. Test reports are needed so that the purchaser, the 
inspectors, and RUS will be able to spot-check the general accuracy of 
the tests.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-
profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 700.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 40,763.

Charlene Parker,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. E9-8856 Filed 4-16-09; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-15-P