[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 59 (Monday, March 28, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17103-17104]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-7160]
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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
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings,
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents
appearing in this section.
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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 59 / Monday, March 28, 2011 /
Notices
[[Page 17103]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
March 22, 2011.
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), [email protected] 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: 7 CFR Part 1744, Subpart B, Lien Accommodations and
Subordination Policy.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0126.
Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is a
credit agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). It makes
mortgage loans and loan guarantees to finance electric,
telecommunications, and water and waste facilities in rural areas. The
Telecommunications Act of 1996 mandates that universally available and
affordable telecommunications services, including advanced services, be
made available to all U.S. citizens--whether in rural areas or city
centers, affluent, or poor communities. In support of this mandate, RUS
is amending its regulation to ensure that, with the assistance of
advanced telecommunications technology, rural citizens be provided the
same economic, educational, and health care benefits available in the
large metropolitan areas.
Need and Use of The Information: This regulation will help RUS
facilitate funding from non-RUS sources in order to meet the growing
capital needs of rural Local Exchange Carriers and enable the providers
to compete in an expanding number of telecommunications services. RUS
will use the information to provide ``automatic'' approval for
borrowers requesting lien accommodations that meet the required
financial tests. These tests are designed to ensure that the financial
strength of the borrower is more than sufficient to protect the
government's loan security interests; hence, the lien accommodations
will not adversely affect the government's financial interests.
Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-
profit institutions.
Number of Respondents: 30.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion
Total Burden Hours: 23.
Rural Utilities Service
Title: 7 CFR 1783, Revolving Fund Program.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0138.
Summary of Collection: Section 6002 of the Farm Security and Rural
Investment Act of 2002 amended the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act by adding a grant program that established the
Revolving Fund Program (RFP) to assist communities with water or
wastewater systems. Qualified private non-profit organizations will
receive RFP grant funds to establish a lending program for eligible
entities.
Need and Use of The Information: Non-profit organizations applying
for the RFP grant(s) must submit an application package that includes
an application form, narrative proposal (work plan), various other
forms, certifications, and supplemental information. The Rural
Development State Offices and the Rural Utilities Service National
Office staff will use the information collected to determine applicant
eligibility, project feasibility, and the applicant's ability to meet
the grant and regulatory requirements. Grant recipients will set up a
revolving loan fund to provide loans to finance predevelopment costs of
water or wastewater projects, or short-term small capital projects not
part of the regular operation and maintenance of current water and
wastewater systems.
Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions.
Number of Respondents: 5.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 313.
Rural Utilities Service
Title: 7 CFR 1776, Household Water Well System Grant Program.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0139.
Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is
authorized by Section 306E of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926e) to administer and make grants to
qualified private non-profit organizations which will use the funds to
establish lending programs for household water wells from which
individuals may borrow money systems under the Household Water Well
System program.
Need and Use of The Information: The grant applicants will provide
information to be collected as part of the application and grant
process through certain documentation, certifications, and completed
forms. Grant applicants must show that the project will provide
technical and financial assistance to eligible individuals to remedy
[[Page 17104]]
household well problems. The grant recipients will establish a
revolving loan fund lending program to provide water well loans to
individuals who own or will own private wells in rural areas. The
individual loan recipients may use the funds to construct, refurbish,
and service their household well systems for an existing home.
Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions.
Number of Respondents: 10.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 1,033.
Rural Utilities Service
Title: Electric System Emergency Restoration Plan.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0140.
Summary of Collection: Electric power systems have been identified
in Presidential Decision Directive 63, May 1998, as one of the critical
infrastructures of the United States. The term ``critical
infrastructure'' is defined in section 1016(e) of the USA Patriot Act
of 2001 (42 U.S.C. 5195c(e)). To ensure that the electric
infrastructure in rural America is adequately protected, Rural
Utilities Service requires that all current electric borrowers enhance
an existing Emergency Restoration Plan (ERP) or, if none exists,
develop and maintain an ERP.
Need and Use of The Information: Rural Development Utilities
Programs (RDUP) requires that all current electric borrowers conduct a
Vulnerability and Risk Assessment (VRA) of its respective systems and
utilize the results of this assessment to enhance an existing ERP or
create an ERP if none exists. The ERP provides written procedures
detailing response and restoration efforts in the event of a major
system outage resulting from a natural or man made disaster. RDUP
requires each electric borrower to provide annually a self-
certification, in writing, that an ERP exists and that an initial VRA
has been performed. If this information were not collected,
vulnerabilities may exist in the electric system infrastructure. The
result would be increased risk to public safety and may affect the
Government loan security.
Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; Business
or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 676.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually.
Total Burden Hours: 338.
Charlene Parker,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2011-7160 Filed 3-25-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P