[Federal Register: April 24, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 79)]
[Notices]
[Page 21714-21715]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr24ap00-30]
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[[Page 21714]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
April 19, 2000.
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), Washington, DC 20503 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) 720-6746.
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 Business-Cooperative Service
Title: Research on Rural Cooperative Opportunities and Problems.
OMB Control Number: 0570-0028.
Summary of Collection: The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS)
was established by Public Law 103-350; the Department of Agriculture
Reorganization Act of 1994. The mission of RBS is to improve the
quality of life in rural America by financing community facilities and
businesses, providing technical assistance and creating effective
strategies for rural development. The primary objective of this funding
is to encourage research through cooperative agreements on critical
issues vital to the development and sustainability of cooperatives as a
means of improving the quality of life in America's rural communities.
RBS will collect information through research proposals prepared by
applicants, who may be public or private colleges or universities,
research foundations maintained, by a college or university, or private
nonprofit organizations.
Need and Use of the Information: RBS will collect project proposal
information from applicants to determine (1) eligibility; (2) the
specific purpose for which the funds will be utilized; (3) time frames
or dates by which activities surrounding the use of funds will be
accomplished; (4) feasibility of the project; (5) applicants'
experience in managing similar activities; and (6) the effectiveness
and innovation used to address critical issues vital to the development
and sustainability of cooperatives as a means of improving the quality
of life in America's rural communities. Without the collection of
information, there would be no basis on which to award funds or monitor
project progress.
Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions.
Number of Respondents: 50.
Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion;
Quarterly.
Total Burden Hours: 1,140.
Foreign Agricultural Service
Title: Market Access Program.
OMB Control Number: 0551-0027.
Summary of Collection: The Market Access Program (MAP) is
authorized by section 203 of the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978, as
amended. The primary objective of the MAP is to encourage the
development, maintenance and expansion of commercial export markets for
U.S. agricultural products through cost-share assistance to eligible
trade organizations that implement a foreign market development
program. Personnel of the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) administer
the MAP. Prior to initiating program activities, participants must
submit detailed applications to FAS, which include country strategies,
constraints, goals, and benchmarks, proposed activities, estimated
budgets, and performance measurements.
Need and Use of the Information: FAS will collect information to
manage, plan, evaluate, and account for government resources. The
information will be used for the allocation of funds, program
management, planning and evaluation. If information is not available
which provides evidence taxpayer funds are being disbursed in
accordance with authorizing legislation, ethical standards, and
standard Government rules and regulations, regulatory offices such as
the General Accounting Office (GAO) or the Office of the Inspector
General (OIG) would likely recommend terminating the program.
Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; Business
or other for-profit; State, Local or Tribal Government.
Number of Respondents: 70.
Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting Annually.
Total Burden Hours: 62,830.
Rural Utilities Service
Title: 7 CFR 1717 Subpart Y, Settlement of Debt Owed by Electric
Borrowers.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0116.
Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) makes
mortgage loans and loan guarantees to electric systems to provide and
improve electric service in rural areas pursuant to the Rural
Electrification Act of 1936, as amended (7 U.S.C. 901 et seq.) (RE
Act). The Rural Utilities Service makes mortgage loans and loan
guarantees to electric systems to provide and improve electric service
in rural areas. Only those electric borrowers that are unable to fully
repay their debts to the government and who apply to RUS for relief
will be affected by this collection
[[Page 21715]]
of information. The information collected will be similar to that which
any prudent lender would require to determine whether debt settlement
is required and the amount of relief that is needed.
Need and Use of the Information: RUS will collect information to
determine the need for debt settlement; the amount of debt the borrower
can repay; the future scheduling of debt repayment; and, the range of
opportunities for enhancing the amount of debt that can be recovered.
Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; Business
or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 1.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 3,000.
Rural Utilities Service
Title: Inventory of Work Orders.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0019.
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. RUS
manages loan programs in accordance with the Rural Electrification Act
(RE Act) of 1936, 7 U.S.C. 901 et seq., as amended and as prescribed by
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-129, Policies for
Federal Credit Programs and Non-Tax Receivables, which states that
agencies must, based on a review of a loan application, determine that
an applicant complies with statutory, regulatory, and administrative
eligibility requirements for loan assistance. RUS Form 219, Inventory
of Work Orders, is one of the documents the borrower submits to RUS to
support actual expenditures and an advance of loan funds.
Need and Use of the Information: RUS will collect information to
monitor the activities of the borrower to ensure that funds are being
used for RUS purposes. If the information were not collected, RUS would
be unable to determine whether borrowers were appropriating loan funds
for the purposes specified at the inception of he loan contract.
Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; Business
or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 750.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 10,125.
Rural Housing Service
Title: 7 CFR 1942-A, Community Facility Loans.
OMB Control Number: 0575-0015.
Summary of Collection: The Rural Housing Service (RUS) is a credit
agency within the Rural Development mission area of the U.S. Department
of Agriculture (USDA). The Community Programs Division of the RHS
administers the Community Facilities program under 7 CFR part 1942,
subpart A. Rural Development provides loan and grant funds through the
Community Facilities program to finance many types of projects varying
in size and complexity, from large general hospitals to small fire
trucks. The facilities financed are designed to promote the development
of rural communities by providing the infrastructure necessary to
attract residents and rural jobs. RUS will collect information using
several forms.
Need and Use of the Information: RUS will collect information to
determine applicant/borrower eligibility, project feasibility, and to
ensure borrowers operate on a sound basis and use loan and grant funds
for authorized purposes. Failure to collect proper information could
result in improper determinations of eligibility, improper use of
funds, and/or unsound loans.
Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; Business
or other for-profit; State, Local or Tribal Government.
Number of Respondents: 3,020.
Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion;
Annually.
Total Burden Hours: 61,076.
William McAndrew,
Departmental Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 00-10139 Filed 4-21-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-01-M
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