Rural Utilities Service Telecommunications Loan and Loan Guarantee Program, 30904-30905 [2011-13126]

Download as PDF 30904 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 103 / Friday, May 27, 2011 / Notices DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Forest Service Amador County Resource Advisory Committee Allegheny Resource Advisory Committee Forest Service, USDA. Notice of meeting. Forest Service, USDA. Notice of meeting. AGENCY: AGENCY: ACTION: ACTION: The Amador County Resource Advisory Committee will meet in Sutter Creek, California. The committee is meeting as authorized under the Secure Rural Schools and Community SelfDetermination Act (Pub. L. 110–343) and in compliance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act. The RAC will review, discuss and vote on proposed projects. DATES: The meeting will be held on June 16, 2011 beginning at 6 PM. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at 10877 Conductor Blvd., Sutter Creek, CA. Written comments should be sent to Frank Mosbacher; Forest Supervisor’s Office; 100 Forni Road; Placerville, CA 95667. Comments may also be sent via e-mail to fmosbacher@fs.fed.us, or via facsimile to 530–621–5297. All comments, including names and addresses when provided, are placed in the record and are available for public inspection and copying. The public may inspect comments received at 100 Forni Road; Placerville, CA 95667. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead to 530–622– 5061 to facilitate entry into the building. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frank Mosbacher, Public Affairs Officer, Eldorado National Forest Supervisors Office, (530) 621–5268. 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: The meeting is open to the public. The following business will be conducted: The RAC will consider and review two new projects and consider and prioritize all the remaining projects. More information will be posted on the Eldorado National Forest Web site @https://www.fs.fed.us/r5/eldorado. A public comment opportunity will be made available following the business activity. Future meetings will have a formal public imput period for those following the yet to be developed public imput process. jdjones on DSK8KYBLC1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: Dated: May 23, 2011. Michael A. Valdes, Acting Forest Supervisor. [FR Doc. 2011–13232 Filed 5–26–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–11–P VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:25 May 26, 2011 Jkt 223001 The Allegheny Resource Advisory Committee will meet in Clarendon, Pennsylvania. The committee is authorized under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (Pub. L. 110– 343) (the Act) and operates in compliance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act. The purpose of the committee is to improve collaborative relationships and to provide advice and recommendations to the Forest Service concerning projects and funding consistent with the title II of the Act. The meeting is open to the public. The purpose of the meeting is to review and familiarize committee members with the process for submitting projects for funding consideration. DATES: The meeting will be held June 8, 2011, at 9:30 a.m. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Mead Township Building located on Mead Blvd., in Clarendon, Pennsylvania. Written comments may be submitted as described under Supplementary Information. All comments, including names and addresses when provided, are placed in the record and are available for public inspection and copying. The public may inspect comments received at 4 Farm Colony Drive, Warren, Pennsylvania 16365. Please call ahead to Kathy Mohney at (814) 728–6298 to facilitate entry into the building to view comments. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathy Mohney, RAC Coordinator, Allegheny National Forest Supervisor’s Office, 4 Farm Colony Drive, Warren, Pennsylvania 16365, phone (814) 728– 6298 or e-mail kmohney@fs.fed.us. 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. Requests for reasonable accomodation for access to the facility or procedings may be made by contacting the person listed For Further Information. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The following business will be conducted: review and familiarize committee members with the process for preparing and submitting proposals for funding consideration. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Anyone who would like to bring related matters to the attention of the committee may file written statements with the committee staff before or after the meeting. The agenda will include time for people to make oral statements of three minutes or less. Individuals wishing to make an oral statement should request in writing by June 3, 2011, to be scheduled on the agenda. Written comments and requests for time for oral comments must be sent to 4 Farm Colony Drive, Warren, Pennsylvania, 16365, or by e-mail to kmohney@fs.fed.us, or via facsimile to (814) 726–1462. Dated: May 20, 2011. Leanne M. Marten, Forest Supervisor. [FR Doc. 2011–13236 Filed 5–26–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–11–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Utilities Service Rural Utilities Service Telecommunications Loan and Loan Guarantee Program Rural Utilities Service, USDA. Notice of elimination of the List of Materials. AGENCY: ACTION: Rural Development’s Rural Utilities Service (RUS) and its predecessor, the Rural Electrification Administration, (REA) have played a leading role in helping rural America gain access to advanced telecommunications systems, equipment and services. The List of Materials historically has been a very useful tool in assuring product quality and reliability. However, Rural Development is taking a fundamentally new approach to advancing state-of-theart telecommunications technologies, consistent with our commitment to high quality rural service and the efficient use of taxpayer dollars. DATES: Effective May 23, 2011, Rural Development will no longer accept applications for equipment to be added to the List of Materials and will cease publication of the List of Materials for Telecommunications, RUS Information Publication 344–2. ADDRESSES: An open letter from RUS Administrator Jonathan Adelstein is available at https:// www.rurdev.usda.gov/ RUSTelecomPrograms.html. Any further information regarding this subject will also be posted on this Web site. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Gary B. Allan, Acting Director, USDA– SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\27MYN1.SGM 27MYN1 jdjones on DSK8KYBLC1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 103 / Friday, May 27, 2011 / Notices RUS–ASD, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., STOP 1550, Room 2844, Washington, DC 20250; Tel: 202–690– 4493; Fax: 202–720–1051. Background: Technology has changed dramatically since the start of the agency’s telecommunications program in 1949. The telecommunications equipment supply sector is very different, and far more complex and diverse, today than it was over 60 years ago. Product life cycles have accelerated, innovations abound and new suppliers have entered the market. In this new technology environment, Rural Development must operate efficiently and effectively under current budgetary constraints. Maintaining the List of Materials, which includes a product by product review, simply cannot be sustained under our current budget and with our limited staff. To protect our loan security and compliance with continuing Buy America statutory mandates, we will transition from a listing process to an approach which ensures that construction financed by RUS meets applicable industry standards. This new approach will be incorporated into our review of individual projects and the approval of loan advances. Although the agency is ending the publication of the list, it is not ending its insistence that infrastructure financed by taxpayers through our program conform to the highest technical standards. It is also not altering its statutory Buy America obligations. In addition to facilitating government efficiency, this new approach will give our customers increased flexibility to find and deploy technology that meets the specific needs of their customers. Our staff stands prepared to work with applicants and borrowers to help them deploy effective technology that meets the needs of the rural communities they serve. In addition, RUS understands that many borrowers that have put contracts out to bid requiring utilization of the List of Materials. In these cases, borrowers have two choices. First, they can cancel the bid solicitation or modify the solicitation to extend the bid date or clarify the bidding terms based upon the List of Materials no longer being available. Or two, they can require that bidders still follow the List of Materials that was in effect on the date the contract was put out to bid. In the event a potential bidder does not have a copy of the List of Materials that was in effect on the date the contract was put out to bid, the bidder may contact RUS staff for assistance in determining whether certain equipment was on the approved list at the time. RUS staff stand ready to VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:25 May 26, 2011 Jkt 223001 assist all customers during this transition period. Dated: May 23, 2011. Jonathan Adelstein, Administrator, Rural Utilities Service. [FR Doc. 2011–13126 Filed 5–26–11;8:45 am] 30905 Dated in Washington, DC, on May 23, 2011. Peter Minarik, Acting Chief, Regional Programs Coordination Unit. [FR Doc. 2011–13197 Filed 5–26–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6335–01–P BILLING CODE P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS Agenda and Notice of Public Meeting of the Massachusetts State Advisory Committee Notice is hereby given, pursuant to the provisions of the rules and regulations of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (Commission), and the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), that a meeting of the Massachusetts State Advisory Committee to the Commission will convene at 12 p.m. (E.D.T.) on Tuesday, June 14, 2011, at the Suffolk Law School, 120 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02108. The purpose of the meeting is for project planning. Members of the public are entitled to submit written comments; the comments must be received in the regional office within 30 days of the meeting. Written comments may be mailed to the Eastern Regional Office, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, 624 9th Street, NW., Suite 740, Washington, DC 20425. They may be faxed to (202) 376–7548, or e-mailed to ero@usccr.gov. Persons who desire additional information may contact the Eastern Regional Office at (202) 376–7533. Records generated from this this meeting may be inspected and reproduced at the Eastern Regional Office, as they become available, both before and after the meeting. Persons interested in the work of this advisory committee are advised to go to the Commission’s website, https:// www.usccr.gov, or to contact the Eastern Regional Office at the above e-mail or street address. Deaf or hearing-impaired persons who will attend the meeting(s) and require the services of a sign language interpreter should contact the Eastern Regional Office at least ten (10) working days before the scheduled date of the meeting. The meeting will be conducted pursuant to the provisions of the rules and regulations of the Commission and FACA. PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request The Department of Commerce will submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance the following proposal for collection of information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). Agency: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Title: Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Scientific Research Permits, Exempted Fishing Permits, Letters of Acknowledgment, Display Permits, and Shark Research Fishery Permits. OMB Control Number: 0648–0471. Form Number(s): NA. Type of Request: Regular submission (extension with revisions of a current information collection). Number of Respondents: 75. Average Hours per Response: Research plans, 2 hours; permit applications and annual reports, 40 minutes; amendments to permits, 15 minutes; interim reports, 1 hour; departure calls for collection of display animals, 5 minutes; notifications for observer coverage, 10 minutes; tag applications, 2 minutes. Burden Hours: 236. Needs and Uses: Exempted Fishing Permits (EFPs), Scientific Research Permits (SRPs), Display Permits, Letters of Acknowledgment (LOAs), and Shark Research Permits are issued under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) and/or the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (ATCA) (16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.). Issuance of EFPs and related permits are necessary for the collection of Highly Migratory Species (HMS) for public display and scientific research that is exempt from regulations (e.g., seasons, prohibited species, authorized gear, and minimum sizes) that may prohibit the collection of live animals or biological samples. A Display Permit is issued for the collection of HMS for the purpose of public display whereas a Shark Research Permit allows the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and commercial shark fishermen to conduct E:\FR\FM\27MYN1.SGM 27MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 103 (Friday, May 27, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30904-30905]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-13126]


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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


Rural Utilities Service Telecommunications Loan and Loan 
Guarantee Program

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of elimination of the List of Materials.

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

SUMMARY: Rural Development's Rural Utilities Service (RUS) and its 
predecessor, the Rural Electrification Administration, (REA) have 
played a leading role in helping rural America gain access to advanced 
telecommunications systems, equipment and services. The List of 
Materials historically has been a very useful tool in assuring product 
quality and reliability. However, Rural Development is taking a 
fundamentally new approach to advancing state-of-the-art 
telecommunications technologies, consistent with our commitment to high 
quality rural service and the efficient use of taxpayer dollars.

DATES: Effective May 23, 2011, Rural Development will no longer accept 
applications for equipment to be added to the List of Materials and 
will cease publication of the List of Materials for Telecommunications, 
RUS Information Publication 344-2.

ADDRESSES: An open letter from RUS Administrator Jonathan Adelstein is 
available at https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/RUSTelecomPrograms.html. Any 
further information regarding this subject will also be posted on this 
Web site.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Gary B. Allan, Acting Director, 
USDA-

[[Page 30905]]

RUS-ASD, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., STOP 1550, Room 2844, Washington, 
DC 20250; Tel: 202-690-4493; Fax: 202-720-1051.
    Background: Technology has changed dramatically since the start of 
the agency's telecommunications program in 1949. The telecommunications 
equipment supply sector is very different, and far more complex and 
diverse, today than it was over 60 years ago. Product life cycles have 
accelerated, innovations abound and new suppliers have entered the 
market.
    In this new technology environment, Rural Development must operate 
efficiently and effectively under current budgetary constraints. 
Maintaining the List of Materials, which includes a product by product 
review, simply cannot be sustained under our current budget and with 
our limited staff.
    To protect our loan security and compliance with continuing Buy 
America statutory mandates, we will transition from a listing process 
to an approach which ensures that construction financed by RUS meets 
applicable industry standards. This new approach will be incorporated 
into our review of individual projects and the approval of loan 
advances.
    Although the agency is ending the publication of the list, it is 
not ending its insistence that infrastructure financed by taxpayers 
through our program conform to the highest technical standards. It is 
also not altering its statutory Buy America obligations. In addition to 
facilitating government efficiency, this new approach will give our 
customers increased flexibility to find and deploy technology that 
meets the specific needs of their customers. Our staff stands prepared 
to work with applicants and borrowers to help them deploy effective 
technology that meets the needs of the rural communities they serve.
    In addition, RUS understands that many borrowers that have put 
contracts out to bid requiring utilization of the List of Materials. In 
these cases, borrowers have two choices. First, they can cancel the bid 
solicitation or modify the solicitation to extend the bid date or 
clarify the bidding terms based upon the List of Materials no longer 
being available. Or two, they can require that bidders still follow the 
List of Materials that was in effect on the date the contract was put 
out to bid. In the event a potential bidder does not have a copy of the 
List of Materials that was in effect on the date the contract was put 
out to bid, the bidder may contact RUS staff for assistance in 
determining whether certain equipment was on the approved list at the 
time. RUS staff stand ready to assist all customers during this 
transition period.

    Dated: May 23, 2011.
Jonathan Adelstein,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-13126 Filed 5-26-11;8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P

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