[Federal Register: March 11, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 47)]

[Rules and Regulations]               

[Page 10830-10831]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr11mr02-2]                         



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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE



Rural Utilities Service



7 CFR Part 1703



RIN 0572-AB70



 

Distance Learning and Telemedicine Loan and Grant Program



AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.



ACTION: Notice of confirmation of direct final rule.



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SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) hereby gives notice that no 

adverse comments were received regarding the direct final rule amending 

its regulations for the Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Loan 

and Grant Program, and confirms the effective date of the direct final 

rule.



DATES: The direct final rule published in the Federal Register on 

January 23, 2002 (67 FR 3039) is effective March 11, 2002.



FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marilyn J. Morgan, Chief DLT Branch, 

Advanced Services Division, Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Department of 

Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., STOP 1550, Washington, DC 

20250-1550. Telephone: 202-720-0413; e-mail at mmorgan@rus.usda.gov; 

or, Fax: 202-720-1051.



SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:



Background



    RUS is amending 7 CFR part 1703, subparts D, E, F, and G of its 

regulations for the Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Loan and 

Grant Program. The current regulations implement the provisions of the 

Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 950aaa 

et seq.) to encourage and improve telemedicine services and distance 

learning services in rural areas. The direct final rule addresses the 

amendments affecting the grant program. These amendments will



[[Page 10831]]



clarify eligibility; change the grant minimum matching contribution; 

clarify that only loan funds will be used to finance transmission 

facilities; modify financial information requirements; adjust the 

leveraging of resources scoring criterion; revise financial information 

to be submitted; and make other minor changes and corrections.



Confirmation of Effective Date



    This is to confirm the effective date of March 11, 2002, for the 

direct final rule, 7 CFR part 1703, Distance Learning and Telemedicine 

Loan and Grant Program, published in the Federal Register on January 

23, 2002.



    Dated: March 4, 2002.

Hilda Gay Legg,

Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.

[FR Doc. 02-5733 Filed 3-8-02; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3415-15-P