[Federal Register: April 30, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 84)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 23697]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr30ap04-22]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
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This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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[[Page 23697]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service
7 CFR Part 1792
RIN 0572-AB74
Seismic Safety
AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
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SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency delivering the
United States Department of Agriculture's Rural Development Utilities
Programs is amending its regulations to update the seismic safety
requirements of the agency. These amendments will provide RUS
borrowers, grant recipients, Rural Telephone Bank (RTB) borrowers, and
the public with updated rules for compliance with seismic safety
requirements for new building construction using RUS or RTB loan, grant
or guaranteed funds or funds provided through lien accommodations or
subordinations approved by RUS or RTB.
In the final rules section of this Federal Register, RUS is
publishing this action as a direct final rule without prior proposal
because RUS views this as a non-controversial action and anticipates no
adverse comments. If no adverse comments are received in response to
the direct final rule, no further action will be taken on this proposed
rule and the action will become effective at the time specified in the
direct final rule. If RUS receives adverse comments, a timely document
will be published withdrawing the direct final rule and all public
comments received will be addressed in a subsequent final rule based on
this action.
DATES: Comments on this proposed action must be received by RUS via
facsimile transmission or carry a postmark or equivalent no later than
June 1, 2004.
ADDRESSESS: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the online instructions for submitting
comments.
Agency Web Site: http://www.usda.gov/rus/index2/Comments.htm.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
E-mail: RUSComments@usda.gov. Include in the
subject line of the message ``Seismic Safety''.
Mail: Addressed to Richard Annan, Acting
Director, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW.,
STOP 1522, Washington, DC 20250-1522.
Hand Delivery/Courier: Addressed to Richard
Annan, Acting Director, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis,
Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400
Independence Avenue, SW., Room 5168 South Building, Washington, DC
20250-1522.
Instructions: All submissions received must include that agency
name and the subject heading ``Seismic Safety.'' All comments received
must identify the name of the individual (and the name of the entity,
if applicable) who is submitting the comment. All comments received
will be posted without change to http://www.usda.gov/rus/index2/Comments.htm
, including any personal information provided.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Donald Heald, Structural Engineer,
Transmission Branch, Electric Staff Division, Rural Utilities Service,
U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., STOP
1569, Washington, DC 20250-1569. Telephone: (202) 720-9102. Fax: (202)
720-7491.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: See the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION provided
in the direct final rule located in the Rules and Regulations direct
final rule section of this Federal Register for the applicable
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION on this action.
Dated: April 15, 2004.
Hilda Gay Legg,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 04-9612 Filed 4-29-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P