[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 109 (Tuesday, June 8, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 32313-32315]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-12830]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service
7 CFR Part 1755
Specifications and Drawings for Construction Direct Buried Plant
AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.
ACTION: Proposed Rule.
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SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) proposes to amend its
regulations on Telecommunications Standards and Specifications for
Materials, Equipment and Construction, by revising RUS Bulletin 1753F-
150, Specifications and Drawings for Construction of Direct Buried
Plant (Form 515a). The revised specification will include new
construction units for Fiber-to-the-Home, remove redundant or outdated
requirements, and simplify the specification format.
DATES: Written comments must be received by RUS or be postmarked no
later than August 9, 2010.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments by either of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and,
in the lower ``Search Regulations and Federal Actions'' box, select
``Rural Utilities Service'' from the agency drop-down menu, then click
on ``Submit.'' In the Docket ID column, select RUS-2010-Telecom-0003 to
submit or view public comments and to view supporting and related
materials available electronically. Information on using
Regulations.gov, including instructions for accessing documents,
submitting comments, and viewing the docket after the close of the
comment period, is available through the site's ``User Tips'' link.
Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send your comment addressed
to Michele Brooks, Director, Program Development and Regulatory
Analysis, USDA-Rural Utilities Service, 1400 Independence Avenue, STOP
1522, Room 5159, Washington, DC 20250-1522. Please state that your
comment refers to Docket No. RUS-2010-Telecom-0003.
Other Information: Additional information about Rural Development
and its programs is available on the Internet at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/index.html.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norberto Esteves, Chair, Technical
Standards Committee ``A'' (Telecommunications), Advanced Services
Division, Telecommunications Program, USDA-Rural Utilities Service,
STOP 1550, Washington, DC 20250-1550. Telephone: (202) 720-0699; Fax:
(202) 205-2924; e-mail: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Executive Order 12866
This rule is exempted from the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) review for purposes of Executive Order 12866 and, therefore, has
not been reviewed by OMB.
Executive Order 12988
This proposed rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988,
Civil Justice Reform. USDA Rural Development has determined that this
proposed rule meets the applicable standards provided in section 3 of
the Executive Order. In addition, all state and local laws and
regulations that are in conflict with this proposed rule will be
preempted; no retroactive effect will be given to the rule, and, in
accordance
[[Page 32314]]
with section 212(e) of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act
of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6912(e)), administrative appeals procedures, if any
are required, must be exhausted before an action against the Department
or its agencies may be initiated.
Regulatory Flexibility Act Certification
USDA Rural Development has determined that this proposed rule will
not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small
entities, as defined by the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et
seq.). The standard USDA Rural Development telecommunications loan
documents contain provisions on procurement of products and
construction of telecommunications facilities purchased with loan
funds. This ensures that the telecommunications systems financed with
loan funds are adequate to serve the purposes for which they are to be
constructed and that loan funds are adequately secured. UDSA Rural
Development borrowers, as a result of obtaining Federal financing,
receive economic benefits that exceed any direct cost associated with
complying with UDSA Rural Development regulations and requirements.
Information Collection and Recordkeeping Requirements
The information collection and recordkeeping requirements contained
in this proposed rule are cleared under control numbers 0572-0059 and
0572-0132 pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C.
Chapter 35, as amended).
Executive Order 13132
This regulation will not have substantial direct effects on the
States, on the relationship between the national government and the
States, or on distribution of power and responsibilities among the
various levels of government. Under Executive Order 13132, this
proposed rule does not have sufficient federalism implications
requiring the preparation the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
The program described by this proposed rule is listed in the
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program under No. 10.851, Rural
Telephone Loans and Loan Guarantees and No. 10.857, Rural Broadband
Access Loans and Loan Guarantees. This catalog is available on a
subscription basis from the Superintendent of Documents, the United
States Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. Telephone:
(202) 512-1800.
Executive Order 12372
This proposed rule is excluded from the scope of Executive Order
12372, Intergovernmental Consultation, which may require consultation
with State and local officials. See the final rule related notice
titled ``Department Programs and Activities Excluded from Executive
Order 12372'' (50 FR 47034), advising that USDA Rural Development
Utilities Programs loans and loan guarantees are excluded from the
scope of Executive Order 12372.
Unfunded Mandates
This proposed rule contains no Federal Mandates (under the
regulatory provisions of Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
of 1995 (2 U.S.C. Chapter 25)) for State, local, and tribal governments
or the private sector. Thus, this proposed rule is not subject to the
requirements of sections 202 and 205 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform
Act of 1995.
National Environmental Policy Act Certification
The Agency has determined that this proposed rule will not
significantly affect the quality of the human environment as defined by
the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).
Therefore, this action does not require an environmental impact
statement or assessment.
Background
RUS issues contracts, standards and specification for construction
of telecommunications facilities financed with RUS loan funds. RUS is
proposing to revise the specifications for buried plant construction
contained in RUS Bulletin 1753F-150 (RUS Form 515a).
The current outside plant specifications are used by borrowers to
secure the services of a contractor for the construction of
telecommunications facilities. Because of Fiber-to-the-Home
construction and advancements made in construction installation methods
and materials, the present specifications have become outdated. To
allow borrowers and contractors to take advantage of these improved
construction installation methods and materials, the current
specification will be revised.
The proposed bulletin is available from the Agency. Interested
parties may obtain copies from Norberto Esteves, Chair, Technical
Standards Committee ``A'' (Telecommunications), Advanced Services
Division, Telecommunications Program, USDA-Rural Utilities Service,
Room 2849, South Building, Washington, DC 20250-1550. Telephone: (202)
720-0699.
List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 1753
Incorporation by reference, Loan programs--communications,
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Rural areas, Telephone.
For reasons set out in the preamble, RUS proposes to amend chapter
XVII of title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations as follows:
PART 1755--TELECOMMUNICATIONS POLICIES ON SPECIFICATIONS,
ACCEPTABLE MATERIALS, AND STANDARD CONTRACT FORMS
1. The authority citation for part 1755 continues to read as
follow:
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 901 et seq., 1921 et seq., 6941 et seq.
2. In Sec. 1755.97, the table is amended by revising the issue
date of RUS Bulletin 1753F-150 to read as follows:
Sec. 1755.97 Incorporation by reference of telecommunications
standards and specifications.
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Title of standard or
RUS bulletin No. Specification No. Date last issued specification
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* * * * * * *
1753F-150.......................... Form 515a............. [Effective date of Specifications and Drawings
final rule]. for Construction of Direct
Buried Plant.
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[[Page 32315]]
Dated: May 18, 2010.
Jessica Zufolo,
Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-12830 Filed 6-7-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P