[Federal Register: October 27, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 207)]
[Notices]               
[Page 57841]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr27oc99-46]                         

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service

 
Information Collection Activity; Comment Request

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 December 27, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: F. Lamont Heppe, Jr., Program 
Development & Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities Service, USDA, 1400 
Independence Ave., SW., STOP 1522, Room 4034 South Building, 
Washington, DC 20250-1522. Telephone: (202) 720-0736. FAX: (202) 720-
4120.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Review Rating Summary.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0025.
    Type of Request: Reinstatement of a previously approved collection 
with change.
    Abstract: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) manages loan programs 
in accordance with the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, 7 U.S.C. 901 
et seq., as amended. An important part of safeguarding loan security is 
to see that RUS financed facilities are being responsibly used, 
adequately operated and adequately maintained. Future needs have to be 
anticipated to ensure that facilities will continue to produce revenue 
and that loans will be repaid as required by the RUS mortgage. A 
periodic operations and maintenance (O&M) review, using the RUS Form 
300, in accordance with RUS Bulletin 161-5, is an effective means for 
RUS to determine whether the borrowers' systems are being properly 
operated and maintained, thereby protecting the loan collateral. An O&M 
review is also used to rate facilities and can be used for appraisals 
of collateral as prescribed by the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) Circular A-129, Policies for Federal Credit Programs and Non-Tax 
Receivables.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 4 hours per response.
    Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 233.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 932 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Dawn 
Wolfgang, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, at (202) 720-
0812.
    Comments are invited on (a) 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; (b) the 
accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of 
the methodology and assumption 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 on 
other forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to F. 
Lamont Heppe, Jr., Director, Program Development and Regulatory 
Analysis, Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 
Independence Ave., SW., Stop 1522, Room 4034 South Building, 
Washington, DC 20250-1522.
    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: October 21, 1999.
Wally Beyer,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 99-28034 Filed 10-26-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P