[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 7, Volume 11]
[Revised as of January 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 7CFR1753.3]

[Page 375]
 
                          TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
 
    CHAPTER XVII--RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 
PART 1753--TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM CONSTRUCTION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES--Table of Contents
 
                           Subpart A--General
 
Sec. 1753.3  Preconstruction review.

    (a) Advance RUS approval must be obtained for any construction that 
does not conform to RUS standards and specifications or the approved LD, 
such as construction of extensions to serve subscribers in areas not 
included in the LD (See 7 CFR part 1737). For loans approved after RUS 
approval of the modernization plan in the borrower's state, the proposed 
construction must conform to the modernization plan, as required by 7 
CFR part 1751, subpart B. To obtain approval, the borrower shall submit 
a written proposal containing:
    (1) A description of the work, indicating any deviations from the 
approved LD or RUS standards and specifications.
    (2) An engineering study covering the deviations if there are 
changes in the design.
    (3) A cost estimate for labor, engineering, materials, and 
overheads.
    (4) If applicable, a brief analysis from the borrower demonstrating 
that the proposed changes conform to the modernization plan.
    (b) Before any construction, including interim construction, is 
initiated, the GFR shall meet with the borrower to review the LD to 
determine if any significant changes have occurred since its approval by 
RUS. It is important that the design and construction of the proposed 
facilities be based on the latest information on subscriber needs.
    (c) If the borrower and GFR agree that there have been no 
significant changes, the borrower may proceed.
    (d) If the GFR finds that the LD is no longer satisfactory, the 
borrower shall prepare an amendment to the LD incorporating the 
necessary revisions (See 7 CFR part 1737). The borrower must obtain RUS 
approval of the LD amendment before proceeding with engineering 
activities on any project to be financed with loan funds.

[54 FR 39267, Sept. 25, 1989. Redesignated at 55 FR 39396, Sept. 27, 
1990, and amended at 58 FR 66259, Dec. 20, 1993; 59 FR 17464, Apr. 13, 
1994; 64 FR 16604, Apr. 6, 1999]