[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 132 (Wednesday, July 10, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Page 41363]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-16569]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


Information Collection Activity; Comment Request

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended), the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) 
invites comments on this information collection for which approval from 
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) will be requested.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by September 9, 2013.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michele L. Brooks, Director, Program 
Development and Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities Service, 1400 
Independence Ave. SW., STOP 1522, Room 5162--South Building, 
Washington, DC 20250-1522. Telephone: (202) 690-1078. FAX: (202) 720-
8435. Email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) 
regulation (5 CFR 1320) implementing provisions of the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13) requires that interested members 
of the public and affected agencies have an opportunity to comment on 
information collection and recordkeeping activities (see 5 CFR 
1320.8(d)). This notice identifies an information collection that the 
Agency is submitting to OMB for extension.
    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed 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 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: Michele 
L. Brooks, Director, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, Rural 
Utilities Service, STOP 1522, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, 
DC 20250-1522. FAX: (202) 720-8435. Email: [email protected].
    Title: Broadband Grant Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0127.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The provision of broadband service is vital to the 
economic development, education, health, and safety of rural Americans. 
To further this objective, RUS provides financial assistance in the 
form of grants to eligible entities that propose, on a ``community-
oriented connectivity'' basis, to provide broadband service that 
fosters economic growth and delivers enhanced educational, health care, 
and public safety services to extremely rural, lower income 
communities. The Agency gives priority to rural areas that it believes 
have the greatest need for broadband services. Grant authority is 
utilized to deploy broadband infrastructure to extremely rural, lower 
income communities on a ``community-oriented connectivity'' basis. The 
``community-oriented connectivity'' concept integrates the deployment 
of broadband infrastructure with the practical, everyday uses and 
applications of the facilities. This broadband access is intended to 
promote economic development and provide enhanced educational and 
health care opportunities. The Agency provides financial assistance to 
eligible entities that are proposing to deploy broadband service in 
rural communities where such service does not currently exist and who 
will connect the critical community facilities including the local 
schools, libraries, hospitals, police, fire and rescue services and who 
will operate a community center that provides free and open access to 
residents.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 130.11 hours per response.
    Respondents: Public bodies, commercial companies, cooperatives, 
nonprofits, Indian tribes, and limited dividend or mutual associations 
and must be incorporated or a limited liability company.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 90.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.23.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 14,442.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from: Michele 
L. Brooks, Director, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, 202-
690-1078, FAX: (202) 720-8435. Email: [email protected].
    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: July 1, 2013.
John Charles Padalino,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-16569 Filed 7-9-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P