[Federal Register: February 16, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 32)]
[Notices]               
[Page 8274-8275]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16fe06-27]                         

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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 17, 2006.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard C. Annan, Director, Program 
Development and Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities Service, 1400 
Independence Ave., SW., STOP 1522, Room 5181, South Building, 
Washington, DC 20250-1522. Telephone: (202) 720-0784. FAX: (202) 720-
4120.

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 reinstatement.
    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: Richard 
C. Annan, Director, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, Rural 
Utilities Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, STOP 1522, 1400 
Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250-1522. FAX: (202) 720-8435.
    Title: Lien Accommodations and Subordinations, 7 CFR Part 1717, 
Subparts R & S.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0100.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: The RE Act of 1936, as amended (7 U.S.C. 901 et seq.), 
authorizes and empowers the Administrator of RUS to make loans in the 
several United States and Territories of the United States for rural 
Electrification and the furnishing of electric energy to persons in 
rural areas who are not receiving central station service. The RE Act 
also authorizes and empowers the Administrator of RUS to provide 
financial assistance to borrowers for purposes provided in the RE Act 
by accommodating or subordinating loans made by the national Rural 
Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation, the Federal Financing Bank, 
and other lending agencies. Title 7 CFR part 1717, subparts R & S sets 
forth policy and procedures to facilitate and support borrowers' 
efforts to obtain private sector financing of their capital needs, to 
allow borrowers greater flexibility in the management of their business 
affairs without compromising RUS loan

[[Page 8275]]

security, and to reduce the cost to borrowers, in terms of time, 
expenses and paperwork, of obtaining lien accommodations and 
subordinations.
    Estimate of Burden: Public Reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 1.54 hours per response.
    Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; business or other for 
profit.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 6.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 2.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 69 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from MaryPat 
Daskal, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, at (202) 720-7853. 
FAX: (202) 720-8435.
    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 6, 2006.
James M. Andrew,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
 [FR Doc. E6-2203 Filed 2-15-06; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-15-P