[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 49 (Tuesday, March 13, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10824-10825]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-05026]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
March 8, 2018.
The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following
information collection requirement(s) to Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act
of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments are requested regarding (1)
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; (2) the accuracy of the
agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology
and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility and
clarity of the information to be collected; (4) 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 regarding this information collection received by April
12, 2018 will be considered. Written comments should be addressed to:
Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory
Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), New Executive Office
Building, 725 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20502. Commenters are
encouraged to submit their comments to OMB via email to:
[email protected] or fax (202) 395-5806 and to Departmental
Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-
7602. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling (202) 720-
8958.
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 1726, Electric System Construction Policies and
Procedures--Electric.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0107.
Summary of Collection: The Rural Electrification Act of 1936, 7
U.S.C. 901 et.seq., as amended, (RE ACT) in Sec. 4 (7 U.S.C. 904)
authorizes and empowers the Administrator of the Rural Utilities
Service (RUS) to make loans in the several States and Territories of
the United States for rural electrification and the furnishing and
improving of electric energy to persons in rural areas. These loans are
for a term of up to 35 years and are secured by a first mortgage on the
borrower's electric system. In the interest of protecting loan security
and accomplishing the statutory objective of a sound program of rural
electrification, Section 4 of the RE Act further requires that RUS make
or guarantee a loan only if there is reasonable assurance that the
loan, together with all outstanding loans and obligations of the
borrower, will be repaid in full within the time agreed. RUS will
collect information using various RUS forms.
Need and Use of the Information: RUS will collect information to
implement certain provisions of the RUS standard form of loan documents
regarding the borrower's purchase of materials and equipment and the
construction of its electric system by contract or force account. The
use of standard forms and procurement procedures helps assure RUS that
appropriate standards and specifications are maintained; agency loan
security is not adversely affected; and loan and loan guarantee funds
are used effectively and for the intended purposes. The information
will be used by RUS electric borrowers, their contractors and by RUS.
If standard forms were not used, borrowers would need to prepare their
own documents at a significant expense; and each document submitted by
a borrower would require extensive and costly review by both RUS and
the Office of the General Counsel.
Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; Business
or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 817.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 78.
[[Page 10825]]
Rural Utility Service
Title: 7 CFR 1780, Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0121.
Summary of Collection: Section 306 of the Consolidated Farm and
Rural Development Act (CONACT), 7 U.S.C. 1926, authorizes Rural
Utilities Service (RUS) to make loans and grants to public entities,
federally-recognized American Indian tribes, and nonprofit
corporations. The loans and grants fund the development of drinking
water waste water, solid waste disposal, and storm wastewater disposal
facilities in rural areas with populations of up to 10,000 residents.
Need and Use of the Information: Rural Development's field offices
will collect information from applicants/borrowers and consultants to
determine eligibility and project feasibility. The information will
help to ensure borrowers operate on a sound basis and use loan funds
for authorized purposes. There are agency forms required as well as
other requirements that involve certifications from the borrower,
lenders, and other parties. Failure to collect proper information could
result in improper determinations of eligibility, use of funds and or
unsound loans.
Description of Respondents: State, Local or Tribal Government; Not-
for-profit institutions.
Number of Respondents: 865.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 150,339.
Rural Utility Service
Title: Servicing of Water Programs Loans and Grants.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0137.
Summary of Collection: Authority for servicing of Water Programs
Loan and Grants is contained in Section 306e of the Consolidated Farm
and Rural Development Act, as amended. The information collected covers
loan and grant servicing regulations, 7 CFR part 1782, which prescribes
policies and responsibilities for servicing actions necessary in
connection with Water and Environmental Programs (WEP) loans and
grants. WEP provides loans, guaranteed loans and grants for water,
sewer, storm water, and solid waste disposal facilities in rural areas
and towns of up to 10,000 people.
Need and Use of the Information: The Rural Utilities Service will
collect information using various forms. The collected information for
the most part is financial in nature and needed by the Agency to
determine if borrowers, based on their individual situations, qualify
for the various servicing authorities. Servicing actions become
necessary due to the development of financial or other problems and may
be initiated by either a recipient which recognizes that a problem
exists and wished to resolve it, or by the Agency. If a problem exists,
a recipient must furnish financial information which is used to aid in
resolving the problem through re-amortization, sale, transfer, debt
restructuring, liquidation, or other means provided in the regulations.
Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; non-
profit institutions; State and local governments.
Number of Respondents: 62.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 729.
Ruth Brown,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2018-05026 Filed 3-12-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P