81_FR_59767 81 FR 59599 - Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

81 FR 59599 - Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utility Service

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 168 (August 30, 2016)

Page Range59599-59600
FR Document2016-20725

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 168 (Tuesday, August 30, 2016) 
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 168 (Tuesday, August 30, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59599-59600]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-20725]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utility Service


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

August 24, 2016.
    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 
September 29, 2016 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: Preloan Procedures and Requirements for Telecommunications 
Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0079.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is a 
credit agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It makes mortgage 
loans and loan guarantees to finance telecommunications, electric, and 
water and waste facilities in rural areas with a loan portfolio that 
totals nearly $58 billion. RUS manages loan programs in accordance with 
the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, 7 U.S.C. 901 et. seq. as 
amended, (RE Act). Section 201 of the RE Act authorizes the 
Administrator to make loans to qualified telephone companies for the 
purpose of providing telephone service to the widest practicable number 
of rural subscribers.
    Need and Use of the Information: RUS will collect information using 
several forms to determine an applicant's eligibility to borrow from 
RUS under the terms of the RE Act. The information is also used to 
determine that the Government's security for loans made by RUS are 
reasonably adequate and that the loans will be repaid within the time 
agreed. Without the information, RUS could not effectively monitor each 
borrower's compliance with the loan terms and conditions to properly 
ensure continued loan security.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-
profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 18.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 4,687.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: RUS Form 444, ``Wholesale Power Contracts.''
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0089.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (RE 
Act) as amended (7 U.S.C. 901 et seq.), authorizes the Rural Utilities 
Service (RUS) to make and guarantee loans in the States and Territories 
of the United States that will enable rural consumers to obtain 
electric power. Rural consumers formed non-profit electric distribution 
cooperatives, groups of these distribution cooperatives banded together 
to form Generation and Transmission cooperatives (G&T's) that generate 
or purchase power and transmit the power to the distribution systems. 
All RUS and G&T borrowers

[[Page 59600]]

will enter into a Wholesale Power Contract with their distribution 
members by using RUS Form 444, as adapted to meet the needs of the 
borrower.
    Need and Use of the Information: To fulfill the purposes of the RE 
Act RUS will collect information to improve the credit quality and 
credit worthiness of loans and loan guarantees to G&T borrowers. RUS 
works closely with lending institutions that provide supplemental loan 
funds to borrowers. If the information were not collected, RUS could 
not determine whether Federal security interest would be adequately 
protected.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for profit institutions; Business 
or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 13.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 78.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: 7 CFR 1703, Subparts D, E, F, and G, Distance Learning and 
Telemedicine Loan and Grant Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0096.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is a 
credit agency of the Department of Agriculture and is authorized by 
Chapter 1 of subtitle D of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation and 
Trade Act of 1990. The purpose of the Distance Learning and 
Telemedicine Loan and Grant Program is to improve telemedicine services 
and distance learning services in rural areas through the use of 
telecommunications, computer networks, and related advanced 
technologies by students, teachers, medical professionals and rural 
residents. Section 6201 of Title VI of the 2014 Farm Bill (Pub. L. 113-
79) amended 7 U.S.C. 950aaa et seq, by extending the term of the 
program to the year 2018.
    Need and Use of the Information: The various forms and narrative 
statements required are collected from eligible applicants that are 
public and private, for-profit and not-for-profit rural community 
facilities, schools, libraries, hospitals, and medical facilities. The 
purpose of this information is to determine such factors as: 
Eligibility of the applicant; the specific nature of the proposed 
project; the purposes for which loan and grant funds will be used; 
project financial and technical feasibility; and compliance with the 
applicable laws and regulations.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-
profit institutions; State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 190.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 11,031.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and 
Households Program (SEARCH).
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0146.
    Summary of Collection: The Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 
2008, Public Law 110-234 (Farm Bill) amended Section 306(a)(2) of the 
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (CONACT) (7 U.S.C. 
1926(a)(2)). The amendment created a grant program to make Special 
Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households (SEARCH) 
Program grants.
    Under the SEARCH program, the Secretary may make predevelopment and 
planning grants to public or quasi-public agencies, organizations 
operated on a not-for-profit basis or Indian tribes on Federal and 
State reservations and other federally recognized Indian tribes. The 
grant recipients use the grant funds for feasibility studies, design 
assistance, and technical assistance for direct loans, grants and 
guaranteed loans, to financially distress communities in rural areas 
with populations of 2,500 or fewer inhabitants for water and waste 
disposal projects as authorized in Sections 306(a)(1), 306(a)(2) and 
306(a)(24) of the CONACT.
    Need and Use of the Information: Applicants applying for SEARCH 
grants must submit an application which includes an application form, 
various other forms, certifications, and supplemental information. 
Rural Utility Service will use the information collected from 
applicants, borrowers, and consultants to determine applicant 
eligibility, project feasibility, and the applicant's ability to meet 
the grant and regulatory requirements.
    Failure to collect proper information could result in improper 
determinations of eligibility, improper use of funds, or hindrances in 
making grants authorized by the SEARCH program.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit Institutions and State, 
Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 125.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 3,688.

Charlene Parker,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2016-20725 Filed 8-29-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P

Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 168 / Tuesday, August 30, 2016 / Notices 59599 Route 69 to C54; C54 west to State Route Authority: 7 U.S.C. 71–87k. displays a currently valid OMB control 17; and Larry Mitchell, number. Bounded on the West by State Route Administrator, Grain Inspection, Packers and Rural Utilities Service 17 north to the southern Kossuth Stockyards Administration. County line; the Kossuth County line Title: Preloan Procedures and [FR Doc. 2016–20748 Filed 8–29–16; 8:45 am] Requirements for Telecommunications west to U.S. Route 169; U.S. Route 169 north to the northern Kossuth County BILLING CODE 3410–KD–P Program. line. OMB Control Number: 0572–0079. Summary of Collection: The Rural In Minnesota DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Utilities Service (RUS) is a credit agency Faribault, Freeborn, and Mower of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It Rural Utility Service Counties. makes mortgage loans and loan Submission for OMB Review; guarantees to finance In New Jersey telecommunications, electric, and water Comment Request The entire State, except those export and waste facilities in rural areas with port locations within the State, which August 24, 2016. a loan portfolio that totals nearly $58 are serviced by GIPSA. The Department of Agriculture has billion. RUS manages loan programs in submitted the following information accordance with the Rural In New York collection requirement(s) to Office of Electrification Act of 1936, 7 U.S.C. 901 The entire State, except those export Management and Budget (OMB) for et. seq. as amended, (RE Act). Section port locations within the State, which review and clearance under the 201 of the RE Act authorizes the are serviced by GIPSA. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Administrator to make loans to qualified The following grain elevators are not Public Law 104–13. Comments are telephone companies for the purpose of part of this geographic area assignment requested regarding (1) whether the providing telephone service to the and are assigned to: Sioux City collection of information is necessary widest practicable number of rural Inspection and Weighing Service for the proper performance of the subscribers. Company: Agvantage F.S., Chapin, functions of the agency, including Need and Use of the Information: Franklin County, Iowa; Five Star Coop, whether the information will have RUS will collect information using Rockwell, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa; practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the several forms to determine an Maxyield Coop, Algona, Kossuth agency’s estimate of burden including applicant’s eligibility to borrow from County, Iowa; Stateline Coop, Burt, the validity of the methodology and RUS under the terms of the RE Act. The Kossuth County, Iowa; Gold-Eagle, assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance information is also used to determine Goldfield, Wright County, Iowa; and the quality, utility and clarity of the that the Government’s security for loans North Central Coop, Holmes, Wright information to be collected; (4) ways to made by RUS are reasonably adequate County, Iowa. minimize the burden of the collection of and that the loans will be repaid within Opportunity for Designation information on those who are to the time agreed. Without the respond, including through the use of information, RUS could not effectively Interested persons or governmental monitor each borrower’s compliance appropriate automated, electronic, agencies may apply for designation to with the loan terms and conditions to mechanical, or other technological provide official services in the properly ensure continued loan collection techniques or other forms of geographic areas specified above under security. information technology. the provisions of section 79(f) of the Description of Respondents: Business USGSA and 7 CFR 800.196. Designation Comments regarding this information or other for-profit; Not-for-profit in the specified geographic areas in the collection received by September 29, institutions. States of Iowa, Minnesota, New Jersey, 2016 will be considered. Written Number of Respondents: 18. and New York is for the period comments should be addressed to: Desk Frequency of Responses: Reporting: beginning October 1, 2016, to September Officer for Agriculture, Office of On occasion. 30, 2021. To apply for designation or to Information and Regulatory Affairs, Total Burden Hours: 4,687. request more information, contact Office of Management and Budget Sharon Lathrop at the address listed (OMB), New Executive Office Building, Rural Utilities Service above. 725 17th Street NW., Washington, DC Title: RUS Form 444, ‘‘Wholesale 20502. Commenters are encouraged to Power Contracts.’’ Request for Comments submit their comments to OMB via OMB Control Number: 0572–0089. We are publishing this Notice to email to: OIRA_Submission@ Summary of Collection: The Rural provide interested persons the OMB.EOP.GOV or fax (202) 395–5806 Electrification Act of 1936 (RE Act) as opportunity to comment on the quality and to Departmental Clearance Office, amended (7 U.S.C. 901 et seq.), of services provided by the Schaal USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, authorizes the Rural Utilities Service official agency. In the designation Washington, DC 20250–7602. Copies of (RUS) to make and guarantee loans in process, we are particularly interested the submission(s) may be obtained by the States and Territories of the United in receiving comments citing reasons calling (202) 720–8958. States that will enable rural consumers and pertinent data supporting or An agency may not conduct or to obtain electric power. Rural objecting to the designation of the sponsor a collection of information consumers formed non-profit electric mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES applicant. Submit all comments to unless the collection of information distribution cooperatives, groups of Sharon Lathrop at the above address or displays a currently valid OMB control these distribution cooperatives banded at http://www.regulations.gov. number and the agency informs together to form Generation and We consider applications, comments, potential persons who are to respond to Transmission cooperatives (G&T’s) that and other available information when the collection of information that such generate or purchase power and determining which applicants will be persons are not required to respond to transmit the power to the distribution designated. the collection of information unless it systems. All RUS and G&T borrowers VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:04 Aug 29, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\30AUN1.SGM 30AUN1

59600 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 168 / Tuesday, August 30, 2016 / Notices will enter into a Wholesale Power Frequency of Responses: COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS Contract with their distribution Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion. members by using RUS Form 444, as Total Burden Hours: 11,031. Notice of Public Meeting of the adapted to meet the needs of the Michigan Advisory Committee for a borrower. Rural Utilities Service Meeting To Discuss Approval of a Draft Need and Use of the Information: To Title: Special Evaluation Assistance Committee Report Regarding Civil fulfill the purposes of the RE Act RUS for Rural Communities and Households Rights and Civil Asset Forfeiture in the will collect information to improve the Program (SEARCH). State credit quality and credit worthiness of OMB Control Number: 0572–0146. loans and loan guarantees to G&T AGENCY: U.S. Commission on Civil borrowers. RUS works closely with Summary of Collection: The Food, Rights. lending institutions that provide Conservation and Energy Act of 2008, ACTION: Announcement of meeting. supplemental loan funds to borrowers. Public Law 110–234 (Farm Bill) amended Section 306(a)(2) of the SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given, If the information were not collected, Consolidated Farm and Rural pursuant to the provisions of the rules RUS could not determine whether Development Act (CONACT) (7 U.S.C. and regulations of the U.S. Commission Federal security interest would be 1926(a)(2)). The amendment created a on Civil Rights (Commission) and the adequately protected. grant program to make Special Federal Advisory Committee Act that Description of Respondents: Not-for Evaluation Assistance for Rural the Michigan Advisory Committee profit institutions; Business or other for- Communities and Households (Committee) will hold a meeting on profit. Number of Respondents: 13. (SEARCH) Program grants. Monday, October 03, 2016, at 11 EDT Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Under the SEARCH program, the for the purpose of discussing a draft On occasion. Secretary may make predevelopment report, including findings and Total Burden Hours: 78. and planning grants to public or quasi- recommendations to the Commission, public agencies, organizations operated regarding civil asset forfeiture practices Rural Utilities Service in the state. on a not-for-profit basis or Indian tribes Title: 7 CFR 1703, Subparts D, E, F, on Federal and State reservations and DATES: The meeting will be held on and G, Distance Learning and other federally recognized Indian tribes. Monday, October 03, 2016, at 11 a.m. Telemedicine Loan and Grant Program. The grant recipients use the grant funds EDT. OMB Control Number: 0572–0096. for feasibility studies, design assistance, Public Call Information: Dial: 877– Summary of Collection: The Rural and technical assistance for direct loans, 852–6579, Conference ID: 8659596. Utilities Service (RUS) is a credit agency grants and guaranteed loans, to FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: of the Department of Agriculture and is financially distress communities in Melissa Wojnaroski, DFO, at authorized by Chapter 1 of subtitle D of rural areas with populations of 2,500 or mwojnaroski@usccr.gov or 312–353– the Food, Agriculture, Conservation and fewer inhabitants for water and waste 8311. Trade Act of 1990. The purpose of the disposal projects as authorized in Distance Learning and Telemedicine Sections 306(a)(1), 306(a)(2) and SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Members Loan and Grant Program is to improve 306(a)(24) of the CONACT. of the public can listen to the telemedicine services and distance discussion. This meeting is available to Need and Use of the Information: the public through the following toll- learning services in rural areas through Applicants applying for SEARCH grants the use of telecommunications, free call-in number: 877–852–6579, must submit an application which conference ID: 8659596. Any interested computer networks, and related includes an application form, various advanced technologies by students, member of the public may call this other forms, certifications, and number and listen to the meeting. An teachers, medical professionals and supplemental information. Rural Utility rural residents. Section 6201 of Title VI open comment period will be provided Service will use the information to allow members of the public to make of the 2014 Farm Bill (Pub. L. 113–79) collected from applicants, borrowers, amended 7 U.S.C. 950aaa et seq, by a statement as time allows. The and consultants to determine applicant conference call operator will ask callers extending the term of the program to the eligibility, project feasibility, and the year 2018. to identify themselves, the organization applicant’s ability to meet the grant and they are affiliated with (if any), and an Need and Use of the Information: The regulatory requirements. email address prior to placing callers various forms and narrative statements required are collected from eligible Failure to collect proper information into the conference room. Callers can applicants that are public and private, could result in improper determinations expect to incur regular charges for calls for-profit and not-for-profit rural of eligibility, improper use of funds, or they initiate over wireless lines, community facilities, schools, libraries, hindrances in making grants authorized according to their wireless plan. The hospitals, and medical facilities. The by the SEARCH program. Commission will not refund any purpose of this information is to Description of Respondents: Not-for- incurred charges. Callers will incur no determine such factors as: Eligibility of profit Institutions and State, Local or charge for calls they initiate over land- the applicant; the specific nature of the Tribal Government. line connections to the toll-free proposed project; the purposes for Number of Respondents: 125. telephone number. Persons with hearing which loan and grant funds will be Frequency of Responses: Reporting: impairments may also follow the proceedings by first calling the Federal mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES used; project financial and technical On occasion. feasibility; and compliance with the Total Burden Hours: 3,688. Relay Service at 1–800–977–8339 and applicable laws and regulations. providing the Service with the Description of Respondents: Business Charlene Parker, conference call number and conference or other for-profit; Not-for-profit Departmental Information Collection ID number. institutions; State, Local or Tribal Clearance Officer. Members of the public are also Government. [FR Doc. 2016–20725 Filed 8–29–16; 8:45 am] entitled to submit written comments; Number of Respondents: 190. BILLING CODE 3410–15–P the comments must be received in the VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:04 Aug 29, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\30AUN1.SGM 30AUN1


Document Created: 2018-02-09 11:42:32
Document Modified: 2018-02-09 11:42:32
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
FR Citation81 FR 59599 
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