[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 56 (Friday, March 22, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17633-17634]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-06592]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Housing Service
Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved
Information Collection
AGENCY: Rural Housing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Proposed collection; comments requested.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this
notice announces the intention of USDA Rural Development to request an
extension for a currently approved information collection in support of
compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other
applicable environmental requirements.
DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by May 21, 2013 to be
assured of consideration.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Juliet Bochicchio, Environmental
Protection Specialist, Program Support Staff, Housing and Community
Facilities Programs, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Stop 0761, 1400
Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20250-0761, Telephone (202) 205-
[[Page 17634]]
8242, email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: 7 CFR 1940 Subpart G, ``Environmental Program.''
OMB Number: 0575-0094.
Expiration Date of Approval: May 31, 2013.
Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information
collection.
Abstract: The information collection under OMB Number 0575-0094
enables the Agencies to effectively administer the policies, methods,
and responsibilities for compliance with the NEPA and other applicable
environmental laws, executive orders, and regulations.
The NEPA requires Federal agencies to consider the potential
environmental impacts of proposed major Federal actions on the quality
of the human environment during agency planning and decision-making
processes. For Rural Development to comply, it is necessary that they
have information on the types of environmental resources on site or in
the vicinity of an Applicant's proposed project that could be impacted
by Rural Development Federal action. The Applicant is the logical
source for providing this information. In fact, the vast majority of
Federal Agencies that assist non-Federal Applicants in sponsoring
projects require their Applicants to submit such environmental data to
allow the agency to make an informed decision.
Both Rural Development provide forms and/or other guidance to
assist in the collection and submission of necessary information. The
information is usually submitted via email, U.S. Postal Service, or
hand delivery to the appropriate Agency office.
The information is used by the Agency official who is processing
the application for financial assistance or request for approval.
Having environmental information on the Applicant's proposed project
and the construction and operation activities enables the Agency
official to determine the magnitude of any potential environmental
impacts and to take such impacts into consideration during planning and
decision-making as required by NEPA. The analysis of potential
environmental impacts of an Applicant's proposed project and Rural
Development decision is a full disclosure process, and therefore, can
involve public information meetings and public notification.
Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of
information is estimated to average 3.7 hours per response.
Respondents: Individuals, non-Federal agency governments, farmers,
ranchers, business owners, for-profit or non-profit institutions, and
organizations.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,684.
Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
Estimated Number of Responses: 3,344.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 12,470 hours.
Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Jeanne
Jacobs, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, at (202) 692-0035.
Comments: Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of
the functions of the Agencies, including whether the information will
have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of Agencies' 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 Jeanne Jacobs, 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: March 5, 2013.
Tammye Trevi[ntilde]o,
Administrator, Rural Housing Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-06592 Filed 3-21-13; 8:45 am]
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