Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program, 34473-34475 [2017-15497]

Download as PDF mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 141 / Tuesday, July 25, 2017 / Notices by preventing the introduction and interstate spread of serious diseases and pests of livestock and by eradicating such diseases from the United States when feasible. In connection with this mission, APHIS operates the National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS), which collects nationally representative, statistically valid, and scientifically sound data on the prevalence and economic importance of livestock diseases and associated risk factors. APHIS NAHMS officials are often asked by State and local animal health officials to carry out epidemiological investigations as diseases impact animal health populations. Emergency epidemiological investigations will be used to collect information on: • Outbreaks of animal diseases with unknown etiology and transmission, that are highly contagious, and that have high case fatality. • Outbreaks of known animal diseases that are highly contagious, virulent, and have unknown source of infection or mode of transmission. • Outbreaks of emerging, zoonotic, or foreign animal diseases within the United States. • Outbreaks in which a delay in data collection could result in the loss of epidemiologic information essential to assist laboratory investigations and/or disease control efforts. These investigations will normally consist of an on-farm questionnaire administered by APHIS-designated data collectors. The information collected through emergency epidemiologic investigations will be analyzed and used to: • Identify the scope of the problem. • Define and describe the affected population and susceptible population. • Predict or detect trends in disease emergence and movement. • Understand the risk factors for disease. • Estimate the cost of disease control and develop intervention options. • Make recommendations for disease control. • Provide parameters for animal disease spread models. • Provide lessons learned and guidance on the best ways to avoid future outbreaks based on thorough analysis of data from current outbreak(s). • Identify areas for further research, e.g. mechanisms of disease transfer, vaccine technology, and diagnostic testing needs. We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve our use of this information collection activity for an additional 3 years. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:30 Jul 24, 2017 Jkt 241001 The purpose of this notice is to solicit comments from the public (as well as affected agencies) concerning our information collection. These comments will help us: (1) Evaluate 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; (2) Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the burden of the collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through use, as appropriate, of automated, electronic, mechanical, and other collection technologies, such as electronic submission of responses. Estimate of burden: The public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 0.72 hours per response. Respondents: Livestock owners, individuals, and State and local animal health officials. Estimated annual number of respondents: 8,000. Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 1. Estimated annual number of responses: 8,000. Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 5,798 hours. (Due to averaging, the total annual burden hours may not equal the product of the annual number of responses multiplied by the reporting burden per response.) 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. Done in Washington, DC, this 19th day of July 2017. Michael C. Gregoire, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. 2017–15575 Filed 7–24–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Utilities Service Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program Rural Utilities Service, USDA. Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA). AGENCY: ACTION: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency of the United States SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 34473 Department of Agriculture (USDA), announces the second application window for fiscal year (FY) 2017 for the Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program (the Broadband Program). Announcing a second application window within the current FY is a statutory requirement of the 2014 Farm Bill. This new procedure amends previous announcements related to this application window and is designed to improve loan application processing, better manage work flow, and encourage infrastructure investment and job creation in rural communities in need of improved broadband service. In addition to announcing this application window, RUS revises the minimum and maximum amounts for broadband loans for the second window for FY 2017. The agency has $115.2 million available in FY 2017 appropriated and carryover funds, and of this amount the agency expects that at least $60 million is available to fund applications received in this window. Further, the RUS typically solicits applications to under a Notice of Solicitation of Applications (NOSA) during the fiscal year. However, since a full year Appropriation Act for FY 2017 has been enacted, RUS is announcing the amount of funding currently available. DATES: Applications under this NOFA will be accepted immediately through September 30, 2017. RUS will review, evaluate and begin to process loan applications as they are received. After September 30, 2017, RUS will evaluate all applications that have been deemed to be complete and shall give priority to applications in accordance with 7 CFR 1738.203 if the total amount of funding sought by eligible applicants with completed applications submitted by September 30, 2017, exceeds the funding that is available to RUS for the Broadband Program. If the total amount of funding sought by eligible applicants with completed applications submitted by September 30, 2017, does not exceed the funding that is available to the RUS for the Broadband Program, applications will be processed and reviewed in the order received. Loan offers are limited to the funds available at the time of the agency’s decision to approve an application. RUS reserves the option of using the queue created in this round by the priority or first-come, first-served method as applicable to fund projects in the event additional funding becomes available. Applications can only be submitted through the agency’s online application system through September 30, 2017. E:\FR\FM\25JYN1.SGM 25JYN1 34474 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 141 / Tuesday, July 25, 2017 / Notices Although applications that are incomplete once the September 30, 2017 deadline has passed will not be considered for FY 2017 funding, applicants may continue working on their applications in the online system beyond that date in order to prepare for additional funding opportunities that may be announced in future fiscal years. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information contact Richard Anderson, Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator, Loan Originations and Approval Division, Rural Utilities Service, Room 2844, STOP 1597, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250–1597, Telephone: (202) 720–0800, or email: Richard.Anderson@wdc.usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: General Information The Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program (the ‘‘Broadband Program’’) is authorized by the Rural Electrification Act (7 U.S.C. 901 et seq.), as amended by the Agricultural Act of 2014 (P. L. 113–79), also referred to as the 2014 Farm Bill. During FY 2017, loans will be made available for the construction, improvement, and acquisition of facilities and equipment to provide service at the broadband lending speed for eligible rural areas. Applications are subject to the requirements of 7 CFR part 1738. mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES Application Assistance RUS offers pre-application assistance, in which National Office staff as well as the General Field Representative assigned to the project will review the draft application, provide detailed comments, and identify when an application is not meeting eligibility requirements for funding. The online application system will allow RUS staff to assist an applicant with completing every part of an application as it is being developed. Application assistance will be available schedule permitting, generally on a first-come, first-served basis through September 22, 2017. Once an application is formally submitted, RUS will begin reviewing an application for conformance with the broadband regulation with respect to eligibility and technical and financial feasibility as soon as practical after it has been determined to be complete. The submission of an application will establish the receipt date of the application and its place in the firstcome, first-served queue. In addition, once an application is formally submitted through the online system, the applicant may be asked for VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:30 Jul 24, 2017 Jkt 241001 additional information which would assist the agency in the underwriting process or help clarify aspects of an otherwise complete application. If an application is ultimately found to be incomplete or inadequate, a detailed explanation will be provided to the applicant. To further assist in the preparation of applications, an application guide is available online at: https:// www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/ farm-bill-broadband-loans-loanguarantees. Application guides may also be requested from the RUS contact listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice. Application requirements: All requirements for submission of an application under the Broadband Program are subject to 7 CFR part 1738. Application Materials/Submission: Applications must be submitted through the agency’s online application system located at https://www.rd.usda.gov/ programs-services/rd-apply. All materials required for completing an application are included in the online system. Minimum and Maximum Loan Amounts Loans under this authority will not be made for less than $100,000. The maximum loan amount that will be considered for the second round for FY 2017 is now raised to $20,000,000. Required Definitions for Broadband Program Regulation The regulation for the Broadband Program requires that certain definitions affecting eligibility be revised and published from time to time by the agency in the Federal Register. For the purposes of this NOFA, the agency is revising the definition of ‘‘Broadband Service’’, such that for applications submitted under this window, existing Broadband Service, the rate used to determine if an area is eligible for funding, shall mean the minimum rateof-data transmission of twenty-five megabits downstream and three megabits upstream for both mobile and fixed service. With respect to the ‘‘Broadband Lending Speed’’, the rate at which applicants must propose to offer new broadband service is a minimum bandwidth of twenty-five megabits downstream and three megabits upstream for both mobile and fixed service to the customer. Priority for Approving Loan Applications Applications for the second application window in FY 2017 will be accepted from the publication date of PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 this NOFA through September 30, 2017. Unfunded applications from the first application window will not automatically be considered in the second application window; applicants would need to reapply within the second application window. Although review of applications will start when they are submitted, after the closing date of the window, all applications will be evaluated and ranked together based on the percentage of unserved households in the proposed funded service area. Subject to available funding, eligible applications that propose to serve the highest percentage of unserved households will receive funding offers before other eligible applications that have been submitted. The amount available will be published on the agency Web page once all budgetary allocations have been completed. If the total amount of funding sought by eligible applicants with completed applications submitted within this application window does not exceed the funding that is available to the RUS for this program, applications will be processed and reviewed in the order received. Loan offers are limited to the funds available at the time of the agency’s decision to approve an application. The agency reserves the option of using the queue created in this round by the priority or first-come, firstserved method as applicable to fund projects in the event additional funding becomes available. Applications will not be accepted after September 30, 2017, until a new application opportunity has been opened with the publication of an additional NOFA in the Federal Register. Paperwork Reduction Act In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the information collection requirements associated with Broadband loans, as covered in this NOFA, have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under OMB Control Number 0572–0130. USDA Non-Discrimination Statement In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/ parental status, income derived from a E:\FR\FM\25JYN1.SGM 25JYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 141 / Tuesday, July 25, 2017 / Notices public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720–2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877–8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD– 3027, found online at https:// www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_ cust.html and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632–9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Stop 9410,Washington, DC 20250–9410; (2) Fax: (202) 690–7442; or (3) Email: program.intake@usda.gov. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. Christopher McLean, Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service. [FR Doc. 2017–15497 Filed 7–24–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS Agenda and Notice of Public Meeting of the Delaware Advisory Committee Commission on Civil Rights. Announcement of monthly planning meetings. AGENCY: ACTION: 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 planning meeting of the Delaware Advisory Committee to the Commission will convene by conference call, on Monday, August 21 at 10:00 a.m. (EDT). The purpose of the meeting is to make preparations for a briefing meeting on Policing and Implicit Bias in Delaware, including selecting the mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:30 Jul 24, 2017 Jkt 241001 meeting date and venue and determining the list of invited expert presenters. DATES: Monday, August 21, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. (EDT). Public Call–In Information: Conference call number: 1–888–737– 3705 and conference call ID: 5272563. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ivy L. Davis, at ero@usccr.gov or by phone at 202–376–7533. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Interested members of the public may listen to the discussion by calling the following tollfree conference call number: 1–888– 737–3705 and conference call ID: 5272563. Please be advised that before placing them into the conference call, the conference call operator may ask callers to provide their names, their organizational affiliations (if any), and email addresses (so that callers may be notified of future meetings). Callers can expect to incur charges for calls they initiate over wireless lines, and the Commission will not refund any incurred charges. Callers will incur no charge for calls they initiate over landline connections to the toll-free telephone number herein. Persons with hearing impairments may also follow the discussion by first calling the Federal Relay Service at 1– 888–364–3109 and providing the operator with the toll-free conference call number: 1–888–737–3705 and conference call ID: 5272563. Members of the public are invited to submit written comments; the comments must be received in the regional office approximately 30 days after each scheduled meeting. Written comments may be mailed to the Eastern Regional Office, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 1150, Washington, DC 20425, or emailed to Evelyn Bohor at ero@usccr.gov. Persons who desire additional information may contact the Eastern Regional Office at (202) 376– 7533. Records and documents discussed during the meeting will be available for public viewing as they become available at https://facadatabase.gov/committee/ meetings.aspx?cid=240; click the ‘‘Meeting Details’’ and ‘‘Documents’’ links. Records generated from this meeting may also be inspected and reproduced at the Eastern Regional Office, as they become available, both before and after the meetings. Persons interested in the work of this advisory committee are advised to go to the Commission’s Web site, www.usccr.gov, or to contact the Eastern Regional Office at the above phone number, email or street address. PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 34475 Agenda I. Welcome and Introductions Rollcall II. Planning Meeting —Discuss Project Planning III. Other Business IV. Adjournment Dated: July 20, 2017. David Mussatt, Supervisory Chief, Regional Programs Unit. [FR Doc. 2017–15560 Filed 7–24–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Foreign-Trade Zones Board [S–110–2017] Foreign-Trade Zone 18—San Jose, California; Application for Subzone Expansion; Lam Research Corporation; Livermore, California An application has been submitted to the Foreign-Trade Zones (FTZ) Board by the City of San Jose, grantee of FTZ 18, requesting expanded subzone status for the facilities of Lam Research Corporation (Lam), located in Livermore, California. The application was submitted pursuant to the provisions of the Foreign-Trade Zones Act, as amended (19 U.S.C. 81a–81u), and the regulations of the FTZ Board (15 CFR part 400). It was formally docketed on July 20, 2017. Subzone 18F consists of the following sites in Fremont and Livermore: Site 1 (29 acres) 4650 Cushing Parkway, Fremont; Site 4 (14.82 acres) 1 and 101 Portola Avenue, Livermore (7.82 acres located at 101 Portola Avenue expiring on 9/30/2017); Site 5 (4.4 acres)—7364 Marathon Drive and 7150 Patterson Pass Road, Unit G, Livermore; Site 7 (0.91 acres)—6757 Las Positas Road, Livermore; Site 8 (0.44 acres)—7888 Marathon Drive, Livermore; Site 9 (1.6 acres)—41707 Christy Street, Fremont; Site 11 (1.19 acres)—4050 Starboard Drive, Fremont; and, Site 12 (0.98 acres)—7650 Marathon Drive, Livermore. The applicant is now requesting authority to expand the subzone to include the temporary 7.82 acres of Site 4 mentioned above on a permanent basis. The expanded subzone would be subject to the existing activation limit of FTZ 18. In accordance with the FTZ Board’s regulations, Christopher Kemp of the FTZ Staff is designated examiner to review the application and make recommendations to the Executive Secretary. Public comment is invited from interested parties. Submissions shall be E:\FR\FM\25JYN1.SGM 25JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 141 (Tuesday, July 25, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34473-34475]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-15497]


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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA).

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

SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency of the United 
States Department of Agriculture (USDA), announces the second 
application window for fiscal year (FY) 2017 for the Rural Broadband 
Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program (the Broadband Program). 
Announcing a second application window within the current FY is a 
statutory requirement of the 2014 Farm Bill. This new procedure amends 
previous announcements related to this application window and is 
designed to improve loan application processing, better manage work 
flow, and encourage infrastructure investment and job creation in rural 
communities in need of improved broadband service.
    In addition to announcing this application window, RUS revises the 
minimum and maximum amounts for broadband loans for the second window 
for FY 2017.
    The agency has $115.2 million available in FY 2017 appropriated and 
carryover funds, and of this amount the agency expects that at least 
$60 million is available to fund applications received in this window. 
Further, the RUS typically solicits applications to under a Notice of 
Solicitation of Applications (NOSA) during the fiscal year. However, 
since a full year Appropriation Act for FY 2017 has been enacted, RUS 
is announcing the amount of funding currently available.

DATES: Applications under this NOFA will be accepted immediately 
through September 30, 2017. RUS will review, evaluate and begin to 
process loan applications as they are received. After September 30, 
2017, RUS will evaluate all applications that have been deemed to be 
complete and shall give priority to applications in accordance with 7 
CFR 1738.203 if the total amount of funding sought by eligible 
applicants with completed applications submitted by September 30, 2017, 
exceeds the funding that is available to RUS for the Broadband Program.
    If the total amount of funding sought by eligible applicants with 
completed applications submitted by September 30, 2017, does not exceed 
the funding that is available to the RUS for the Broadband Program, 
applications will be processed and reviewed in the order received. Loan 
offers are limited to the funds available at the time of the agency's 
decision to approve an application. RUS reserves the option of using 
the queue created in this round by the priority or first-come, first-
served method as applicable to fund projects in the event additional 
funding becomes available.
    Applications can only be submitted through the agency's online 
application system through September 30, 2017.

[[Page 34474]]

Although applications that are incomplete once the September 30, 2017 
deadline has passed will not be considered for FY 2017 funding, 
applicants may continue working on their applications in the online 
system beyond that date in order to prepare for additional funding 
opportunities that may be announced in future fiscal years.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information contact 
Richard Anderson, Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator, Loan 
Originations and Approval Division, Rural Utilities Service, Room 2844, 
STOP 1597, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-1597, 
Telephone: (202) 720-0800, or email: Richard.Anderson@wdc.usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

General Information

    The Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program (the 
``Broadband Program'') is authorized by the Rural Electrification Act 
(7 U.S.C. 901 et seq.), as amended by the Agricultural Act of 2014 (P. 
L. 113-79), also referred to as the 2014 Farm Bill.
    During FY 2017, loans will be made available for the construction, 
improvement, and acquisition of facilities and equipment to provide 
service at the broadband lending speed for eligible rural areas. 
Applications are subject to the requirements of 7 CFR part 1738.

Application Assistance

    RUS offers pre-application assistance, in which National Office 
staff as well as the General Field Representative assigned to the 
project will review the draft application, provide detailed comments, 
and identify when an application is not meeting eligibility 
requirements for funding. The online application system will allow RUS 
staff to assist an applicant with completing every part of an 
application as it is being developed. Application assistance will be 
available schedule permitting, generally on a first-come, first-served 
basis through September 22, 2017.
    Once an application is formally submitted, RUS will begin reviewing 
an application for conformance with the broadband regulation with 
respect to eligibility and technical and financial feasibility as soon 
as practical after it has been determined to be complete. The 
submission of an application will establish the receipt date of the 
application and its place in the first-come, first-served queue. In 
addition, once an application is formally submitted through the online 
system, the applicant may be asked for additional information which 
would assist the agency in the underwriting process or help clarify 
aspects of an otherwise complete application. If an application is 
ultimately found to be incomplete or inadequate, a detailed explanation 
will be provided to the applicant.
    To further assist in the preparation of applications, an 
application guide is available online at: https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/farm-bill-broadband-loans-loan-guarantees. 
Application guides may also be requested from the RUS contact listed in 
the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice.
    Application requirements: All requirements for submission of an 
application under the Broadband Program are subject to 7 CFR part 1738.
    Application Materials/Submission: Applications must be submitted 
through the agency's online application system located at https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rd-apply. All materials required for 
completing an application are included in the online system.

Minimum and Maximum Loan Amounts

    Loans under this authority will not be made for less than $100,000. 
The maximum loan amount that will be considered for the second round 
for FY 2017 is now raised to $20,000,000.

Required Definitions for Broadband Program Regulation

    The regulation for the Broadband Program requires that certain 
definitions affecting eligibility be revised and published from time to 
time by the agency in the Federal Register. For the purposes of this 
NOFA, the agency is revising the definition of ``Broadband Service'', 
such that for applications submitted under this window, existing 
Broadband Service, the rate used to determine if an area is eligible 
for funding, shall mean the minimum rate-of-data transmission of 
twenty-five megabits downstream and three megabits upstream for both 
mobile and fixed service. With respect to the ``Broadband Lending 
Speed'', the rate at which applicants must propose to offer new 
broadband service is a minimum bandwidth of twenty-five megabits 
downstream and three megabits upstream for both mobile and fixed 
service to the customer.

Priority for Approving Loan Applications

    Applications for the second application window in FY 2017 will be 
accepted from the publication date of this NOFA through September 30, 
2017. Unfunded applications from the first application window will not 
automatically be considered in the second application window; 
applicants would need to reapply within the second application window. 
Although review of applications will start when they are submitted, 
after the closing date of the window, all applications will be 
evaluated and ranked together based on the percentage of unserved 
households in the proposed funded service area. Subject to available 
funding, eligible applications that propose to serve the highest 
percentage of unserved households will receive funding offers before 
other eligible applications that have been submitted. The amount 
available will be published on the agency Web page once all budgetary 
allocations have been completed.
    If the total amount of funding sought by eligible applicants with 
completed applications submitted within this application window does 
not exceed the funding that is available to the RUS for this program, 
applications will be processed and reviewed in the order received. Loan 
offers are limited to the funds available at the time of the agency's 
decision to approve an application. The agency reserves the option of 
using the queue created in this round by the priority or first-come, 
first-served method as applicable to fund projects in the event 
additional funding becomes available.
    Applications will not be accepted after September 30, 2017, until a 
new application opportunity has been opened with the publication of an 
additional NOFA in the Federal Register.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
information collection requirements associated with Broadband loans, as 
covered in this NOFA, have been approved by the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) under OMB Control Number 0572-0130.

USDA Non-Discrimination Statement

    In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its 
agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or 
administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on 
race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including 
gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital 
status, family/parental status, income derived from a

[[Page 34475]]

public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or 
retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity 
conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). 
Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
    Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of 
communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, 
audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible 
agency or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or 
contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. 
Additionally, program information may be made available in languages 
other than English.
    To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA 
Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at https://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or 
write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the 
information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint 
form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA 
by:
    (1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant 
Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Stop 
9410,Washington, DC 20250-9410;
    (2) Fax: (202) 690-7442; or
    (3) Email: program.intake@usda.gov.
    USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Christopher McLean,
Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-15497 Filed 7-24-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE P
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