80_FR_8880 80 FR 8847 - Information Collection Activity; Comment Request

80 FR 8847 - Information Collection Activity; Comment Request

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 33 (February 19, 2015)

Page Range8847-8848
FR Document2015-03349

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 RUS intends to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 33 (Thursday, February 19, 2015) 
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 33 (Thursday, February 19, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8847-8848]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-03349]


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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 RUS intends 
to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by April 20, 2015.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas P. Dickson, Acting Director & 
Funds Control Officer, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, 
USDA Rural Development, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., STOP 1522, Room 
5164 South Building, Washington, DC 20250-1522. Telephone: (202) 690-
4492. FAX: (202) 720-8435. Email: Thomas.Dickson@wdc.usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) 
regulation (5 CFR part 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 RUS 
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: Thomas 
P. Dickson, Acting Director, Program Development and Regulatory 
Analysis, Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 
Independence Ave. SW., STOP 1522, Room 5164 South Building, Washington, 
DC 20250-1522. Telephone: (202) 690-4492, FAX: (202) 720-8435. Email: 
Thomas.Dickson@wdc.usda.gov.
    Title: Substantially Underserved Trust Areas.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0147.
    Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The RUS provides loan, loan guarantee and grant programs 
for rural electric, water and waste, and telecommunications and 
broadband infrastructure. The SUTA initiative gives the Secretary of 
Agriculture certain discretionary authorities relating to financial 
assistance terms and conditions that can enhance the financing 
possibilities in areas that are underserved by certain RUS electric, 
water and waste, and telecommunications and broadband programs. The 
data covered by this

[[Page 8848]]

collection of information are those materials necessary to allow the 
agency to determine applicant and community eligibility and an 
explanation and documentation of the high need for the benefits of the 
SUTA provisions. Program specific application materials, which funds 
are being applied for, are covered by the information collection 
package for the specific RUS program.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 2 hours per response.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 2.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 4.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from MaryPat 
Daskal, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, at (202) 720-7853, 
FAX: (202) 720-8435. Email: MaryPat.Daskal@wdc.usda.gov.
    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: February 10, 2015.
Jasper Schneider,
Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-03349 Filed 2-18-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P

Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 33 / Thursday, February 19, 2015 / Notices 8847 regeneration harvest. There would be up timing of the project and whether a Room 5164 South Building, to 57 miles of temporary road utilized forest plan site specific amendment Washington, DC 20250–1522. for the project with approximately 20 (exemption) would be necessary as a Telephone: (202) 690–4492. FAX: (202) miles of this occurring over existing result of the decision for this project. 720–8435. Email: Thomas.Dickson@ road prisms. Road maintenance or wdc.usda.gov. Scoping Process reconstruction of existing system roads SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office to meet forestry best management This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides the of Management and Budget’s (OMB) practices would be necessary to regulation (5 CFR part 1320) implement the proposed action. No new development of the environmental impact statement. In February 2015, a implementing provisions of the permanent roads will be constructed. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. Temporary roads not on the forest road scoping notice (flyer) will be mailed to interested and affected parties directing L. 104–13) requires that interested system that are utilized will be them to the project’s information which members of the public and affected obliterated (stabilized and or restored to will be posted to the Lewis and Clark agencies have an opportunity to natural contours) upon completion of National Forest’s projects Web page comment on information collection and treatment operations. Roads identified (http://www.fs.usda.gov/lcnf/). The Web recordkeeping activities (see 5 CFR in the 2007 Travel Management Record page will contain detailed project 1320.8(d)). This notice identifies an of Decision that were removed from the information, including when public information collection that RUS is road system (decommissioned) would meetings will be scheduled, project submitting to OMB for extension. be physically stabilized or re-contoured Comments are invited on: (a) Whether as needed to meet the resource proposal maps, and other pertinent the proposed collection of information objectives of travel management. Site- project information. It is important that reviewers provide is necessary for the proper performance specific amendments to the Lewis and their comments at such times and in of the functions of the Agency, Clark National Forest Plan standards such manner that they are useful to the including whether the information will pertaining to elk hiding cover, elk winter range, and elk thermal cover may agency’s preparation of the have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of be necessary in order to meet the environmental impact statement. the Agency’s estimate of the burden of project’s purpose and need. To address Therefore, comments should be the proposed collection of information potential impacts of proposed provided prior to the close of the including the validity of the management activities on cheatgrass comment period and should clearly methodology and assumptions used; (c) (Bromus tectorum) in meeting the articulate the reviewer’s concerns and ways to enhance the quality, utility and project objectives, the proposal includes contentions. The submission of timely clarity of the information to be an integrated management approach to and specific comments can affect a collected; and (d) ways to minimize the control the establishment and spread of reviewer’s ability to participate in the burden of the collection of information this invasive grass species. The use of administrative objection process or any on those who are to respond, including applicable EPA approved selective judicial review. through the use of appropriate herbicides and or biological controls automated, electronic, mechanical, or Dated: February 11, 2015. other technological collection would be utilized in units having Robin Strathy, prescribed burning as the treatment techniques or other forms of information Deputy Forest Supervisor. technology. Comments may be sent to: action. Approximately 42 percent (29,498 acres) of the total project area is [FR Doc. 2015–03466 Filed 2–18–15; 8:45 am] Thomas P. Dickson, Acting Director, located within the Castles Mountains BILLING CODE 3410–15–P Program Development and Regulatory Inventoried Roadless Area (IRA). Analysis, Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Proposed treatment activities on Department of Agriculture, 1400 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Independence Ave. SW., STOP 1522, approximately 6,262 acres are planned within the IRA. A combination of non- Room 5164 South Building, Rural Utilities Service Washington, DC 20250–1522. commercial vegetation treatments and prescribed fire techniques are proposed. Information Collection Activity; Telephone: (202) 690–4492, FAX: (202) Under the proposal, road maintenance Comment Request 720–8435. Email: Thomas.Dickson@ may occur but no road construction, wdc.usda.gov. reconstruction of system or temporary Rural Utilities Service, USDA. AGENCY: Title: Substantially Underserved Trust roads are planned within the IRA. The Notice and request for ACTION: Areas. location of this project area is those comments. OMB Control Number: 0572–0147. sections of the Castle Mountains within Type of Request: Revision of a SUMMARY: In accordance with the currently approved information the National Forest Boundary; Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 Township 8 and 9 N, Range 8, 9 and 10 collection. U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended), the Abstract: The RUS provides loan, loan E. Principle Meridian, Meagher County, Rural Utilities Service (RUS) invites Montana. guarantee and grant programs for rural comments on this information electric, water and waste, and Responsible Official collection for which RUS intends to telecommunications and broadband Helena and Lewis & Clark National request approval from the Office of infrastructure. The SUTA initiative Forests Forest Supervisor. Management and Budget (OMB). gives the Secretary of Agriculture emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES DATES: Comments on this notice must be certain discretionary authorities relating Nature of Decision To Be Made received by April 20, 2015. to financial assistance terms and The decisions to be made include: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: conditions that can enhance the Whether to implement the proposed Thomas P. Dickson, Acting Director & financing possibilities in areas that are action or an alternative to the proposed Funds Control Officer, Program underserved by certain RUS electric, action, what monitoring requirements Development and Regulatory Analysis, water and waste, and would be appropriate to evaluate the USDA Rural Development, 1400 telecommunications and broadband implementation of this project, the Independence Ave. SW., STOP 1522, programs. The data covered by this VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:58 Feb 18, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\19FEN1.SGM 19FEN1

8848 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 33 / Thursday, February 19, 2015 / Notices collection of information are those Dam and the new Lower Brule line. If a portion of the Fort Randall to materials necessary to allow the agency Switchyard. Communications facilities Martin 115–kV line would be damaged to determine applicant and community including a microwave relay tower and by a storm, the Big Bend to Witten line eligibility and an explanation and associated building will also be could provide power to the undamaged documentation of the high need for the constructed at the Lower Brule segments of the line. The proposed line benefits of the SUTA provisions. Switchyard and Witten Substation. A also would provide a tap point for West Program specific application materials, portion of the proposed transmission Central near Reliance, which would which funds are being applied for, are line crosses Indian trust lands of the enhance the reliability and stability of covered by the information collection Lower Brule Sioux Tribe, and the the West Central system. The tap point package for the specific RUS program. agencies have closely cooperated with near Reliance would provide an Estimate of Burden: Public reporting the Tribe in preparation of the EA. Basin additional power line to the Lower burden for this collection of information Electric is requesting RUS financial Brule Sioux Indian Reservation, which is estimated to average 2 hours per assistance for the proposed action. To currently has only one older line, and response. ensure that parties interested in the Estimated Number of Respondents: 2. would provide reliability and stability proposed action are provided adequate Estimated Number of Responses per opportunity for comment, notices are to power on the Reservation. In Respondent: 1. being reissued and the public comment addition, future wind generation Estimated Total Annual Burden on period is being extended for 30 days. facilities may be able to interconnect to Respondents: 4. DATES: A Notice of Availability of the the proposed line to convey power to Copies of this information collection Environmental Assessment was West Central’s markets. Lastly, the can be obtained from MaryPat Daskal, published in the Federal Register on Project lends itself to additional build- Program Development and Regulatory January 28, 2015. Written comments on out in support of Western’s long-range Analysis, at (202) 720–7853, FAX: (202) this notice must now be received on or plan for a 230-kV system in southern 720–8435. Email: MaryPat.Daskal@ before March 30, 2015. South Dakota, and it would provide an wdc.usda.gov. increase in the load serving capacity FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To All responses to this notice will be such that the delivery needs of the summarized and included in the request obtain copies of the EA or for further information, contact Richard Fristik, projected network load can be met in a for OMB approval. All comments will reliable manner. also become a matter of public record. Senior Environmental Protection Specialist, USDA, Rural Utilities Basin Electric is seeking financing Dated: February 10, 2015. Service, 1400 Independence Avenue from RUS for its ownership of the Jasper Schneider, SW., Stop 1571, Washington, DC 20250– proposed project. Before making a Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service. 1571, telephone: (202) 720–5093, or decision to provide financing, RUS is [FR Doc. 2015–03349 Filed 2–18–15; 8:45 am] email: richard.fristik@wdc.usda.gov; or, required to conduct an environmental BILLING CODE P or Kevin L. Solie, Basin Electric Power review under NEPA in accordance with Cooperative, Inc., 1717 East Interstate RUS’s Environmental Policies and Avenue, Bismarck, ND 58503–0564, Procedures (7 CFR part 1794). AECOM, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE telephone: (701) 355–5495, or email: an environmental consultant, prepared ksolie@bepc.com. A copy of the EA may Rural Utilities Service an EA for RUS that describes the project be viewed on line at the Agency’s Web and assesses the proposed project’s site: http://www.rd.usda.gov/files/ Basin Electric Power Cooperative: UWPBigBendtoWitten_EA_Nov_2014 environmental impacts. RUS has Notice of Extension of Public _Final.pdf and at the following conducted an independent evaluation of Comment Period for an Environmental locations: the EA and believes that it accurately Assessment Rural Utilities Service, 1400 assesses the impacts of the proposed AGENCY:Rural Utilities Service, USDA. Independence Avenue SW., Room project. No significant impacts are 2240, Washington, DC 20250 expected as a result of the construction ACTION:Notice of Extension of Public Basin Electric Power Cooperative, of the project. Comment Period for an Environmental Assessment. 1717 East Interstate Ave., Bismarck, Any final action by RUS related to the ND 58503–0564 proposed action will be subject to, and SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The contingent upon, compliance with all (RUS) is extending the public comment network transmission system in South relevant Federal, State, and local period for an Environmental Dakota is not able to accommodate environmental laws and regulations and Assessment (EA) related to a proposed projected load growth in the next completion of the environmental review project by Basin Electric Power several years. This transmission line is requirements as prescribed in RUS’s Cooperative (Basin Electric). The proposed to strengthen the transmission Environmental Policies and Procedures Western Area Power Administration network, improve transmission system at 7 CFR part 1794. (Western) and the Bureau of Indian reliability, and to help meet future Affairs (BIA) are cooperating agencies in demand for electricity and economic Richard Fristik, preparation of the EA. The proposed Big development in the region. In addition Acting Director, Engineering and Bend to Witten Transmission Line to increasing load serving ability for Environmental Staff, Rural Utilities Service. emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES Project (proposed action) consists of an both Rosebud and West Central Electric [FR Doc. 2015–03385 Filed 2–18–15; 8:45 am] approximately 70-mile long 230–kV Cooperatives, the Project would provide BILLING CODE P single-circuit transmission line, a new additional access to the regional high Western switchyard called Lower Brule voltage transmission system. The Switchyard, an addition to the existing proposed Big Bend to Witten line would Witten Substation, and approximately enhance system reliability by providing two miles of 230–kV double-circuit an additional connection to the ‘‘grid’’ transmission line between Big Bend roughly midpoint along this east-west VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:58 Feb 18, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\19FEN1.SGM 19FEN1


Document Created: 2018-02-16 11:12:43
Document Modified: 2018-02-16 11:12:43
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice and request for comments.
DatesComments on this notice must be received by April 20, 2015.
ContactThomas P. Dickson, Acting Director & Funds Control Officer, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, USDA Rural Development, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., STOP 1522, Room 5164 South Building, Washington, DC 20250-1522. Telephone: (202) 690- 4492. FAX: (202) 720-8435. Email: [email protected]
FR Citation80 FR 8847 
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