[Federal Register: December 10, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 237)] [Notices] [Page 69223-69224] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr10de99-23] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Housing Service Rural Business-Cooperative Service Rural Utilities Service Farm Service Agency Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection AGENCIES: Rural Housing Service (RHS), Rural Utilities Service (RUS), Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS), and Farm Service Agency (FSA), USDA. ACTION: Proposed collection; Comments requested. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the above-named Agencies to request an extension for the currently approved information collection in support of the servicing of Community and Direct Business Programs Loans and Grants. DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by February 8, 2000 to be assured of consideration. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For inquiries on the Information Collection Package, contact Tracy Gillin, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, contact Tracy Gillin, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, at (202) 692-0039. For program content, contact Beth Jones, Senior Loan Specialist, Community Programs Servicing and Special Authorities Branch, RHS, USDA, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Mail Stop 0787, Washington, DC 20250-0787, Telephone (202) 720-1498, E-mail epjones@rdmail.rural.usda.gov. Comments should be submitted to Ms. Gillin at USDA--Rural Development, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Mail Stop 0742, Washington, DC 20250-0742. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: 7 CFR 1951-E, Servicing of Community and Direct Business Programs Loans and Grants. OMB Number: 0575-0066. Expiration Date of Approval: February 28, 2000. Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information collection. Abstract: The following Community and Direct Business Programs Loans and Grants are serviced by this currently approved docket (0575- 0066): The Community Facilities loan and grant program is authorized by Section 306 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926) to make loans to public entities, nonprofit corporations, and Indian tribes through the Community Facilities programs for the development of essential community facilities primarily servicing rural residents. The Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, Title 3 (Pub. L. 88-452), authorizes Economic Cooperative Loans to assist incorporated and unincorporated associations to provide to low-income rural families essential processing, purchasing, or marketing services, supplies, or facilities. The Food Security Act of 1985, Section 1323 (Pub. L. 99-198), authorizes loan guarantees and grants to Nonprofit National Corporations to provide technical and financial assistance to for- profit or nonprofit local businesses in rural areas. The Water and Waste Disposal program is authorized by Section 306(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)) to provide basic human amenities, alleviate health hazards, and promote the orderly growth of the rural areas of the Nation by meeting the need for new and improved water and waste disposal systems. The Business and Industry program is authorized by Section 310 B (7 U.S.C. 1932) (Pub. L. 92-419, August 30, 1972) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to improve, develop, or finance business, industry, and employment and improve the economic and environmental climate in rural communities, including pollution abatement control. The Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, Section 310 B(c) (7 U.S.C. 1932(c)), authorizes Rural Business Enterprise Grants to public bodies and nonprofit corporations to facilitate the development of private business in rural areas. The Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, Section 310 B(f)(i) (7 U.S.C. 1932(c)), authorized Rural Cooperative Development Grants to nonprofit institutions for the purpose of enabling such institutions to establish and operate centers for rural cooperative development. The FSA is authorized by 25 U.S.C. Secs. 488-494 to make loans through its Indian Tribal Land Acquisition loan program to individuals, tribes, or tribal corporations, within tribal reservations and Alaskan communities. The authority for FSA to make loans for grazing, irrigation and drainage, and farm ownership recreation loans is provided by the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act CONACT) (7 U.S.C. 1926 330-381). The purpose of the loan and grant servicing function for the above programs is to assist recipients to meet the objectives of the loans and grants, repay loans on schedule, comply with agreements, and protect the Government's financial interest. Routine servicing responsibilities include collection of payments, compliance reviews, security inspections, review of financial reports, determining applicant/borrower eligibility and project feasibility for various servicing actions, and supervision activities. Supervision by the Agencies include, but is not limited to: review of budgets, management reports, audits and financial statements; performing security inspections and providing, arranging, or recommending technical assistance; evaluating environmental impacts of proposed actions by the borrower; and performing civil rights compliance reviews. Information will be collected by the field offices from applicants, borrowers, consultants, lenders, and attorneys. Failure to collect information could result in improper servicing of these loans. Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average .75 hours per response. Respondents: State, local or tribal Governments, Not-for-profit institutions, businesses, and individuals. Estimated Number of Respondents: 78. Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 2. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 118. [[Page 69224]] Copies of the information collection can be obtained from Tracy Gillin, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, at (202) 692-0039. Comments Comments are invited on: (a) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agencies, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Agencies' 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 Tracy Gillin, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, STOP 0742, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20250. 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: November 5, 1999. James E. Haskell, Acting Administrator, Rural Business--Cooperative Service. Dated: November 5, 1999. Christopher A. McLean, Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service. Dated: November 16, 1999. Keith Kelly, Administrator, Farm Service Agency. Dated: November 23, 1999. Eileen M. Fitzgerald Acting Administrator, Rural Housing Service. Dated: November 26, 1999. [FR Doc. 99-32013 Filed 12-9-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-XV-M