Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request, 28879-28881 [E9-14335]
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28879
Notices
Federal Register
Vol. 74, No. 116
Thursday, June 18, 2009
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.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Submission for OMB Review;
Comment Request
June 15, 2009.
The Department of Agriculture has
submitted the following information
collection requirement(s) to OMB for
review and clearance under the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995,
Public Law 104–13. Comments
regarding (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 assumptions used; (c)
ways to enhance the quality, utility and
clarity of the information to be
collected; (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 should be addressed to: Desk
Officer for Agriculture, Office of
Information and Regulatory Affairs,
Office of Management and Budget
(OMB),
OIRA_Submission@OMB.EOP.GOV or
fax (202) 395–5806 and to Departmental
Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail
Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250–
7602. Comments regarding these
information collections are best assured
of having their full effect if received
within 30 days of this notification.
Copies of the submission(s) may be
obtained by calling (202) 720–8681.
An agency may not conduct or
sponsor a collection of information
unless the collection of information
displays a currently valid OMB control
number and the agency informs
potential persons who are to respond to
the collection of information that such
persons are not required to respond to
VerDate Nov<24>2008
21:58 Jun 17, 2009
Jkt 217001
the collection of information unless it
displays a currently valid OMB control
number.
Agricultural Marketing Service
Title: Application for Plant Variety
Protection Certificate and Objective
Description of Variety.
OMB Control Number: 0581–0055.
Summary of Collection: The Plant
Variety Protection Act (PVPA)
(December 24, 1970; 84 Stat. 1542, 7
U.S.C. 2321 et seq.) was established to
encourage the development of novel
varieties of sexually-reproduced plants
and make them available to the public,
providing intellectual property rights
(IPR) protection to those who breed,
develop, or discover such novel
varieties, and thereby promote progress
in agriculture in the public interest. The
PVPA is a voluntary user funded
program that grants intellectual property
ownership rights to breeders of new and
novel seed-and-tuber-reproduced plant
varieties. To obtain these rights the
applicant must provide information that
shows the variety is eligible for
protection and that it is indeed new,
distinct, uniform, and stable, as the law
requires. Applicants are provided with
applications to identify the information
that is required to issue a certificate of
protection.
Need and Use of the Information: The
Agricultural Marketing Service will
collect information from the applicant
to be evaluated by examiners to
determine if the variety is eligible for
protection under the PVPA. If this
information were not collected there
will be no basis for issuing certificate of
protection, and no way for applicants to
request protection.
Description of Respondents: Business
or other for-profit; not-for-profit
institutions; Federal Government.
Number of Respondents: 85.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting:
On occasion; other (varies).
Total Burden Hours: 2,080.
Charlene Parker,
Departmental Information Collection
Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. E9–14334 Filed 6–17–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–02–P
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Submission for OMB Review;
Comment Request
June 15, 2009.
The Department of Agriculture has
submitted the following information
collection requirement(s) to OMB for
review and clearance under the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995,
Public Law 104–13. Comments
regarding (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 assumptions used; (c)
ways to enhance the quality, utility and
clarity of the information to be
collected; (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 should be addressed to: Desk
Officer for Agriculture, Office of
Information and Regulatory Affairs,
Office of Management and Budget
(OMB),
OIRA_Submission@OMB.EOP.GOV or
fax (202) 395–5806 and to Departmental
Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail
Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250–
7602. Comments regarding these
information collections are best assured
of having their full effect if received
within 30 days of this notification.
Copies of the submission(s) may be
obtained by calling (202) 720–8681.
An agency may not conduct or
sponsor a collection of information
unless the collection of information
displays a currently valid OMB control
number and the agency informs
potential persons who are to respond to
the collection of information that such
persons are not required to respond to
the collection of information unless it
displays a currently valid OMB control
number.
Rural Utilities Service
Title: 7 CFR 1730, Review Rating
Summary.
OMB Control Number: 0572–0025.
Summary of Collection: The Rural
Utilities Service (RUS) manages loan
programs in accordance with the Rural
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18JNN1
28880
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 116 / Thursday, June 18, 2009 / Notices
Electrification Act (RE 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 responsible used,
adequately operated, and adequately
maintained. Future needs have to be
anticipated to ensure that facilities will
continue to produce revenue and loans
will be repaid as required by the RUS
mortgage. Regular periodic operations
and maintenance (O&M) review can
identify and correct inadequate O&M
practices before they cause extensive
harm to the system. Inadequate O&M
practices can result in public safety
hazards, increased power outages for
consumers, added expense for
emergency maintenance, and premature
aging of the borrower’s systems, which
could increase the loan security risk to
RUS.
Need and Use of the Information:
RUS will collect information using form
300 Review Rate Summary to identity
items that may be in need of additional
attention; to plan corrective actions
when needed; to budget funds and
manpower for needed work; and to
initiate ongoing programs as necessary
to avoid or minimize the need for
‘‘catch-up’’ programs.
Description of Respondents: Not-forprofit institutions; business or other forprofit.
Number of Respondents: 229.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting:
On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 916.
Rural Utilities Service
Title: Operating Reports for
Telecommunications and Broadband
Borrowers.
OMB Control Number: 0572–0031.
Summary of Collection: The Rural
Utilities Service’s (RUS) is a credit
agency of the Department of
Agriculture. The Rural Electrification
Act of 1936, as amended (RE Act) (7
U.S.C. 901 et seq.) authorizes the
Secretary to make mortgage loans and
loan guarantees to finance electric,
telecommunications, broadband, and
water and waste facilities in rural areas.
In addition to providing loans and loan
guarantees, one of RUS’ main objectives
is to safeguard loan security until the
loan is repaid. The RE Act also
authorizes the Secretary to make
studies, investigations, and reports
concerning the progress of borrowers’
furnishing of adequate telephone service
and publish and disseminate this
information.
Need and Use of the Information:
Information from the Operating Report
for both telecommunication and
broadband borrowers provides RUS
VerDate Nov<24>2008
21:58 Jun 17, 2009
Jkt 217001
with vital financial information needed
to ensure the maintenance of the
security for the Government’s loans and
service data which enables RUS to
ensure the provision of quality
telecommunications and broadband
service as mandated by the RE Act of
1936. Form 674, ‘‘Certificate of
Authority to Submit or Grant Access to
Data’’ will allow telecommunication
and broadband borrowers to file
electronic Operating Reports with the
agency using the new USDA Data
Collection System. Accompanied by a
Board Resolution, it will identify the
name and USDA eAuthentication ID for
a certifier and security administrator
that will have access to the system for
purposes of filing electronic Operating
Reports.
Description of Respondents: Business
or other for-profit; not-for-profit
institutions.
Number of Respondents: 600.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting:
On occasion; quarterly; annually.
Total Burden Hours: 2,806.
Rural Utility Service
Title: 7 CFR 1773, Policy on Audits of
RUS Borrowers.
OMB Control Number: 0572–0095.
Summary of Collection: Under the
authority of the Rural Electrification Act
of 1936 (ACT), as amended 7 U.S.C. 901
et seq., the Administrator is authorized
and empowered to make loans under
certain specified circumstances for the
purpose of furnishing and improving
telephone service in rural areas. RUS, in
representing the Federal Government as
Mortgagee, relies on the information
provided by the borrowers in their
financial statements to make lending
decisions as to borrowers’ credit
worthiness and to assure that loan funds
are approved, advanced and disbursed
for proper Act purposes. Borrowers are
required to furnish a full and complete
report of their financial condition,
operations and cash flows, in form and
substance satisfactory to RUS.
Need and Use of the Information:
RUS will collect information to evaluate
borrowers’ financial performance,
determine whether current loans are at
financial risk, and determine the credit
worthiness of future losses. If
information were not collected, it would
delay RUS’ analysis of the borrowers’
financial strength, thereby adversely
impacting current lending decisions.
Description of Respondents: Not-forprofit institutions; business or other forprofit.
Number of Respondents: 1,250.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting:
On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 13,927.
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Fmt 4703
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Rural Utilities Service
Title: 7 CFR 1744–E, Borrower
Investments—Telecommunications
Loan Program.
OMB Control Number: 0572–0098.
Summary of Collection: The Rural
Economic Development Act of 1990,
Title XXIII of the Farm Bill, Public Law
101–624, authorized qualified Rural
Utilities Service (RUS) borrowers to
make investments in rural development
projects without the prior approval of
the RUS Administrator, provided,
however that such investments do not
cause the borrower to exceed its
allowable qualified investment level as
determined in accordance with the
procedures set forth in 7 CFR Part 1744,
Subpart E. RUS requests that the
borrower submit (1) A description of the
rural development project and type of
investment; (2) a reasonable estimate of
the amount the borrower is committed
to provide to the project including
future expenditures; and (3) a pro forma
balance sheet and cash flow statement
for the period covering the borrower’s
future commitments to determine that
the ‘‘Excess’’ or proposed ‘‘Excess’’
investments will not impair the
borrower’s ability to repay the loan or
cause financial hardship.
Need and Use of the Information:
RUS will collect information to consider
whether or not to approve a borrower’s
request to make an investment in a rural
development project when such an
investment would cause the borrower to
exceed its allowable investment level. If
this information was not collected, RUS
could not thoroughly assess the
economic impact of such an investment.
Description of Respondents: Business
or other for-profit; not-for-profit
institutions.
Number of Respondents: 2.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting:
On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 1.
Rural Utilities Service
Title: Use of Consultants Funded by
Borrowers, 7 CFR 1789.
OMB Control Number: 0572–0115.
Summary of Collection: The Rural
Utilities Service (RUS) is a credit agency
of the Department of Agriculture that
makes mortgage loans and loan
guarantees to finance electric,
telecommunications, and water and
waste facilities in rural areas. The loan
programs are managed in accordance
with the Rural Electrification Act (RE
Act) of 1936, 7 U.S.C. 901 et seq., as
amended, and as prescribed by Office of
Management and Budget Circular A–
129, Policies for Federal Credit
Programs and Non-Tax Receivable,
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 116 / Thursday, June 18, 2009 / Notices
which states that agencies must, based
on a review of a loan application,
determine that an applicant complies
with statutory, regulatory, and
administrative eligibility requirements
for loan assistance. RUS has the
authority to use consultants voluntarily
funded by borrowers for financial, legal,
engineering, and other technical
services. However, all RUS borrowers
are eligible to fund consultant services
but are not required to fund consultants.
Need and Use of the Information:
RUS will collect information to
determine whether it is appropriate to
use a consultant voluntarily funded by
the borrower to expedite a particular
borrower application. If the information
were not submitted, RUS would be
unable to determine if using a
consultant would accelerate the specific
application process.
Description of Respondents: Not-forprofit institutions; business or other forprofit.
Number of Respondents: 1.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting:
On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 2.
Rural Utilities Service
Title: 7 CFR 1728, Electric Standards
and Specifications for Materials and
Construction.
OMB Control Number: 0572–0131.
Summary of Collection: The Rural
Electrification Act of 1936, 7 U.S.C. 901
et seq., as amended, (RE Act) in Sec. 4
(7 U.S.C. 904) authorizes and empowers
the Administrator of the Rural Utilities
Service (RUS) to make loans in the
several States and Territories of the
United States for rural electrification
and the furnishing and improving of
electric energy to persons in rural areas.
RUS’ Administrator is authorized to
provide financial assistance to
borrowers for purposes provided in the
RE Act by guaranteeing loans made by
the National Rural Utilities Cooperative
Finance Corporation, the Federal
Financing Bank, and other lending
agencies. These loans are for a term of
up to 35 years and are secured by a first
mortgage on the borrower’s electric
system. Manufacturers, wishing to sell
their products to RUS electric
borrowers, request RUS consideration
for acceptance of their products and
submit letters of request with
certifications as to the origin of
manufacture of the products and
include certified data demonstrating
their products’ compliance with RUS
specifications.
Need and Use of the Information:
RUS will collect information to evaluate
the data to determine that the quality of
the products is acceptable and that their
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21:58 Jun 17, 2009
Jkt 217001
use will not jeopardize loan security.
The information is closely reviewed to
be certain that test data; product
dimensions and product material
compositions fully comply with RUS
technical standards and specifications
that have been established for the
particular product. Without this
information, RUS has no means of
determining the acceptability of
products for use in the rural
environment.
Description of Respondents: Business
or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 38.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting:
on occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 2,000.
Charlene Parker,
Departmental Information Collection
Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. E9–14335 Filed 6–17–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–15–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Office of the Secretary
Black Hills National Forest Advisory
Board
Office of the Secretary, USDA.
Notice of intent to renew the
charter of the Black Hills National
Forest Advisory Board.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
SUMMARY: The Department of
Agriculture is proposing to renew the
charter of the Black Hills National
Forest Advisory Board (the Board) to
obtain advice and recommendations on
a broad range of forest issues such as
forest plan revisions or amendments,
travel management, forest monitoring
and evaluation, recreation fees, and sitespecific projects having forest-wide
implications.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Frances Reynolds, Legislative Affairs,
Rocky Mountain Region, Forest Service,
(303) 275–5357. Individuals who use
telecommunication devices for the deaf
(TDD) may call the Federal Information
Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339
between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern
Standard Time, Monday through Friday.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant
to the Federal Advisory Committee Act
(5 U.S.C. App. II), notice is hereby given
that the U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Forest Service, intends to renew the
charter of the Black Hills National
Forest Advisory Board. The Board
provides advice and recommendations
on a broad range of forest planning
issues and in accordance with the
Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement
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28881
Act more specifically will provide
advice and recommendations on Black
Hills National Forest recreation fee
issues. The Board membership consists
of individuals representing commodity
interests, amenity interests, and State
and local government.
The Black Hills National Forest
Advisory Board has been determined to
be in the public interest in connection
with the duties and responsibilities of
the Black Hills National Forest. National
forest management requires improved
coordination among the interests and
governmental entities responsible for
land management decisions and the
public that the agency serves. The Board
consists of 16 members that are
representative of the following interests
(this membership closely follows the
membership outlined by the Secure
Rural Schools and Community Self
Determination Act for Resource
Advisory Committees (16 U.S.C. 500, et
seq.)):
1. Economic development;
2. Developed outdoor recreation, offhighway vehicle users, or commercial
recreation;
3. Energy and mineral development;
4. Commercial timber industry;
5. Permittee (grazing or other land use
within the Black Hills area);
6. Nationally recognized
environmental organizations;
7. Regionally or locally recognized
environmental organizations;
8. Dispersed recreation;
9. Archeology or history;
10. Nationally or regionally
recognized sportsmen’s groups, such as
anglers or hunters;
11. South Dakota state-elected offices;
12. Wyoming state-elected offices;
13. South Dakota or Wyoming countyor local-elected officials;
14. Tribal government elected orappointed officials;
15. South Dakota State natural
resource agency official; and
16. Wyoming State natural resource
agency officials.
The Board members determine chair
responsibility. The Forest Supervisor of
the Black Hills National Forest serves as
the designated Federal official under
sections 10(e) and (f) of the Federal
Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.
II).
Equal opportunity practices are
followed in all appointments to
advisory committees. To ensure that the
recommendations of the Board have
taken into account the needs of diverse
groups the Black Hills National Forest
serves, membership will include to the
extent practicable individuals with
demonstrated ability to represent
monitories, women, and persons with
disabilities.
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 116 (Thursday, June 18, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28879-28881]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-14335]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
June 15, 2009.
The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following
information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments
regarding (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 assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality,
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (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 should be addressed to: Desk
Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs,
Office of Management and Budget (OMB), OIRA_Submission@OMB.EOP.GOV or
fax (202) 395-5806 and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO,
Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602. Comments regarding these
information collections are best assured of having their full effect if
received within 30 days of this notification. Copies of the
submission(s) may be obtained by calling (202) 720-8681.
An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information
unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB
control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to
respond to the collection of information that such persons are not
required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays
a currently valid OMB control number.
Rural Utilities Service
Title: 7 CFR 1730, Review Rating Summary.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0025.
Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) manages
loan programs in accordance with the Rural
[[Page 28880]]
Electrification Act (RE 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 responsible used, adequately operated,
and adequately maintained. Future needs have to be anticipated to
ensure that facilities will continue to produce revenue and loans will
be repaid as required by the RUS mortgage. Regular periodic operations
and maintenance (O&M) review can identify and correct inadequate O&M
practices before they cause extensive harm to the system. Inadequate
O&M practices can result in public safety hazards, increased power
outages for consumers, added expense for emergency maintenance, and
premature aging of the borrower's systems, which could increase the
loan security risk to RUS.
Need and Use of the Information: RUS will collect information using
form 300 Review Rate Summary to identity items that may be in need of
additional attention; to plan corrective actions when needed; to budget
funds and manpower for needed work; and to initiate ongoing programs as
necessary to avoid or minimize the need for ``catch-up'' programs.
Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; business
or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 229.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 916.
Rural Utilities Service
Title: Operating Reports for Telecommunications and Broadband
Borrowers.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0031.
Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service's (RUS) is a
credit agency of the Department of Agriculture. The Rural
Electrification Act of 1936, as amended (RE Act) (7 U.S.C. 901 et seq.)
authorizes the Secretary to make mortgage loans and loan guarantees to
finance electric, telecommunications, broadband, and water and waste
facilities in rural areas. In addition to providing loans and loan
guarantees, one of RUS' main objectives is to safeguard loan security
until the loan is repaid. The RE Act also authorizes the Secretary to
make studies, investigations, and reports concerning the progress of
borrowers' furnishing of adequate telephone service and publish and
disseminate this information.
Need and Use of the Information: Information from the Operating
Report for both telecommunication and broadband borrowers provides RUS
with vital financial information needed to ensure the maintenance of
the security for the Government's loans and service data which enables
RUS to ensure the provision of quality telecommunications and broadband
service as mandated by the RE Act of 1936. Form 674, ``Certificate of
Authority to Submit or Grant Access to Data'' will allow
telecommunication and broadband borrowers to file electronic Operating
Reports with the agency using the new USDA Data Collection System.
Accompanied by a Board Resolution, it will identify the name and USDA
eAuthentication ID for a certifier and security administrator that will
have access to the system for purposes of filing electronic Operating
Reports.
Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; not-for-
profit institutions.
Number of Respondents: 600.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion; quarterly;
annually.
Total Burden Hours: 2,806.
Rural Utility Service
Title: 7 CFR 1773, Policy on Audits of RUS Borrowers.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0095.
Summary of Collection: Under the authority of the Rural
Electrification Act of 1936 (ACT), as amended 7 U.S.C. 901 et seq., the
Administrator is authorized and empowered to make loans under certain
specified circumstances for the purpose of furnishing and improving
telephone service in rural areas. RUS, in representing the Federal
Government as Mortgagee, relies on the information provided by the
borrowers in their financial statements to make lending decisions as to
borrowers' credit worthiness and to assure that loan funds are
approved, advanced and disbursed for proper Act purposes. Borrowers are
required to furnish a full and complete report of their financial
condition, operations and cash flows, in form and substance
satisfactory to RUS.
Need and Use of the Information: RUS will collect information to
evaluate borrowers' financial performance, determine whether current
loans are at financial risk, and determine the credit worthiness of
future losses. If information were not collected, it would delay RUS'
analysis of the borrowers' financial strength, thereby adversely
impacting current lending decisions.
Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; business
or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 1,250.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 13,927.
Rural Utilities Service
Title: 7 CFR 1744-E, Borrower Investments--Telecommunications Loan
Program.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0098.
Summary of Collection: The Rural Economic Development Act of 1990,
Title XXIII of the Farm Bill, Public Law 101-624, authorized qualified
Rural Utilities Service (RUS) borrowers to make investments in rural
development projects without the prior approval of the RUS
Administrator, provided, however that such investments do not cause the
borrower to exceed its allowable qualified investment level as
determined in accordance with the procedures set forth in 7 CFR Part
1744, Subpart E. RUS requests that the borrower submit (1) A
description of the rural development project and type of investment;
(2) a reasonable estimate of the amount the borrower is committed to
provide to the project including future expenditures; and (3) a pro
forma balance sheet and cash flow statement for the period covering the
borrower's future commitments to determine that the ``Excess'' or
proposed ``Excess'' investments will not impair the borrower's ability
to repay the loan or cause financial hardship.
Need and Use of the Information: RUS will collect information to
consider whether or not to approve a borrower's request to make an
investment in a rural development project when such an investment would
cause the borrower to exceed its allowable investment level. If this
information was not collected, RUS could not thoroughly assess the
economic impact of such an investment.
Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; not-for-
profit institutions.
Number of Respondents: 2.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 1.
Rural Utilities Service
Title: Use of Consultants Funded by Borrowers, 7 CFR 1789.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0115.
Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is a
credit agency of the Department of Agriculture that makes mortgage
loans and loan guarantees to finance electric, telecommunications, and
water and waste facilities in rural areas. The loan programs are
managed in accordance with the Rural Electrification Act (RE Act) of
1936, 7 U.S.C. 901 et seq., as amended, and as prescribed by Office of
Management and Budget Circular A-129, Policies for Federal Credit
Programs and Non-Tax Receivable,
[[Page 28881]]
which states that agencies must, based on a review of a loan
application, determine that an applicant complies with statutory,
regulatory, and administrative eligibility requirements for loan
assistance. RUS has the authority to use consultants voluntarily funded
by borrowers for financial, legal, engineering, and other technical
services. However, all RUS borrowers are eligible to fund consultant
services but are not required to fund consultants.
Need and Use of the Information: RUS will collect information to
determine whether it is appropriate to use a consultant voluntarily
funded by the borrower to expedite a particular borrower application.
If the information were not submitted, RUS would be unable to determine
if using a consultant would accelerate the specific application
process.
Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; business
or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 1.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 2.
Rural Utilities Service
Title: 7 CFR 1728, Electric Standards and Specifications for
Materials and Construction.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0131.
Summary of Collection: The Rural Electrification Act of 1936, 7
U.S.C. 901 et seq., as amended, (RE Act) in Sec. 4 (7 U.S.C. 904)
authorizes and empowers the Administrator of the Rural Utilities
Service (RUS) to make loans in the several States and Territories of
the United States for rural electrification and the furnishing and
improving of electric energy to persons in rural areas. RUS'
Administrator is authorized to provide financial assistance to
borrowers for purposes provided in the RE Act by guaranteeing loans
made by the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation,
the Federal Financing Bank, and other lending agencies. These loans are
for a term of up to 35 years and are secured by a first mortgage on the
borrower's electric system. Manufacturers, wishing to sell their
products to RUS electric borrowers, request RUS consideration for
acceptance of their products and submit letters of request with
certifications as to the origin of manufacture of the products and
include certified data demonstrating their products' compliance with
RUS specifications.
Need and Use of the Information: RUS will collect information to
evaluate the data to determine that the quality of the products is
acceptable and that their use will not jeopardize loan security. The
information is closely reviewed to be certain that test data; product
dimensions and product material compositions fully comply with RUS
technical standards and specifications that have been established for
the particular product. Without this information, RUS has no means of
determining the acceptability of products for use in the rural
environment.
Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 38.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: on occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 2,000.
Charlene Parker,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. E9-14335 Filed 6-17-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P
