[Federal Register: April 30, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 83)]
[Notices]
[Page 23102-23103]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr30ap03-19]
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Notices
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings,
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents
appearing in this section.
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[[Page 23102]]
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 Business-Cooperative
Service (RBS), Rural Utilities Service (RUS), and Farm Service Agency
(FSA), USDA.
ACTION: Proposed collection; comments requested.
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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 a currently approved information collection in support
of debt settlement of Community Facilities and Direct Business Program
Loans and Grants.
DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by June 30, 2003 to be
assured of consideration.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For inquiries on the Information
Collection Package, contact Renita Bolden, Regulations and Paperwork
Management Branch, (202) 692-0035. For program content, contact Derek
L. Jones, Senior Loan Specialist, Community Programs, RHS, USDA, 1400
Independence Ave., SW., Mail Stop 0787, Washington, DC 20250-0787,
Telephone (202) 720-1504, E-mail derek.jones@usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: 7 CFR part 1956, subpart C--``Debt Settlement-Community and
Business Programs.''
OMB Number: 0575-0124.
Expiration Date of Approval: October 31, 2003.
Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information
collection.
Abstract: The following Community and Direct Business Programs
loans and grants are debt settled by this currently approved docket
(0575-0124). 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 program for the development of essential community
facilities primarily serving rural residents.
The Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, Title 3 (Pub. L. 88-452),
authorizes Economic Opportunity Cooperative loans to assist
incorporated and unincorporated associations to provide 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 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 businesses 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. 488-494, to make loans through
its Indian tribal land 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 Sections 330-
381).
The purpose of the debt settlement function for the above programs
is to provide the delinquent client with an equitable tool for the
compromise, adjustment, cancellation, or charge-off of a debt owed to
the Agency. The information collected is similar to that required by a
commercial lender in similar circumstances.
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 8 hours per response.
Respondents: Public bodies and nonprofit organizations.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 15.
Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 3.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 813 hours.
Estimated Number of Responses: 5.
Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Renita
Bolden, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, (202) 692-0035.
Comments: 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 Renita Bolden, Regulations and Paperwork
[[Page 23103]]
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: April 9, 2003.
Arthur A. Garcia,
Administrator, Rural Housing Service.
Dated: April 7, 2003.
John Rosso,
Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
Dated: April 7, 2003.
Hilda Legg,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
Dated: April 8, 2003.
James R. Little,
Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 03-10525 Filed 4-29-03; 8:45 am]