97-13445. Streamlining the Rural Utilities Service Water and Waste Program Regulations  

  • [Federal Register Volume 62, Number 118 (Thursday, June 19, 1997)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 33462-33511]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 97-13445]
    
    
    
    [[Page 33461]]
    
    _______________________________________________________________________
    
    Part II
    
    
    
    
    
    Department of Agriculture
    
    
    
    
    
    _______________________________________________________________________
    
    
    
    Rural Utilities Service
    
    
    
    Rural Housing Service
    
    
    
    Rural Business-Cooperation Service
    
    
    
    Farm Service Agency
    
    
    
    _______________________________________________________________________
    
    
    
    7 CFR Parts 1775, 1777, 1778, et al.
    
    
    
    Streamlining the Rural Utilities Service Water and Waste Program 
    Regulations; Final Rule
    
    Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 118 / Thursday, June 19, 1997 / Rules 
    and Regulations
    
    [[Page 33462]]
    
    
    =======================================================================
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    
    DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
    
    Rural Utilities Service
    
    7 CFR Parts 1775, 1777, 1778, 1780, and 1781
    
    Rural Housing Service
    
    Rural Business-Cooperative Service
    
    Rural Utilities Service
    
    Farm Service Agency
    
    7 CFR Parts 1901, 1940, 1942, 1951, and 1956
    
    Rural Business-Cooperative Service
    
    Rural Utilities Service
    
    7 CFR Part 4284
    
    RIN 0572-AB20
    
    
    Streamlining the Rural Utilities Service Water and Waste Program 
    Regulations
    
    AGENCIES: Rural Housing Service, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, 
    Rural Utilities Service, and Farm Service Agency; USDA.
    
    ACTION: Final rule.
    
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) hereby amends the 
    regulations utilized to administer the water and waste loan and grant 
    programs. The final rule will combine the water and waste loan and 
    grant regulations into one regulation. Unnecessary and burdensome 
    requirements for entities seeking water and waste loan and grant 
    financial assistance under the program are eliminated. The streamlining 
    of the water and waste loan and grant regulation will allow RUS to 
    provide better service to rural entities needing assistance in 
    correcting and alleviating health and sanitary problems in their 
    communities, and in general improve the quality of life in rural areas. 
    This rule incorporates changes in the water and waste loan and grant 
    program, the emergency community water assistance grant program, and 
    the resource conversation and watershed loan programs mandated by the 
    1996 Farm Bill.
        This rule also amends the regulations originally published by the 
    former Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) and the former Rural 
    Development Administration (RDA). These amendments implement 
    legislation directing the Secretary of Agriculture to establish the 
    Rural Utilities Service (RUS) with responsibility for the water and 
    waste programs formerly administered by FmHA and RDA. The amendments 
    published in this document consist solely of nomenclature changes 
    required by law and of amendments necessary to conform to these 
    nomenclature changes. The substance of the regulations is not affected 
    by these amendments.
        This rule could impact the amount of water and waste loan and grant 
    funds an applicant could receive. Therefore, RUS will honor all written 
    commitments of water and waste loan and grant amounts issued prior to 
    the effective date of this rule.
    
    EFFECTIVE DATE: June 19, 1997.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jerry W. Cooper, Loan Specialist, 
    Water and Waste Division, Rural Utilities Service, USDA, South 
    Agriculture Building, Room 2229, STOP 1570, Washington, DC 20250, 
    telephone: (202) 720-9589.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    
    Classification
    
        We are issuing this final rule in conformance with Executive Order 
    12866 and the Office of Management and Budget has determined that it is 
    a ``significant regulatory action''.
    
    Intergovernmental Review
    
        These programs are listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic 
    Assistance under numbers 10.760, Water and Waste Disposal Systems For 
    Rural Communities; 10.763, Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants; 
    10.764, Resource Conversation and Development Loans; 10.765, Watershed 
    Protection and Flood Preventation Loans; and 10.770, Water and Waste 
    Disposal Loans and Grants (Section 306C) and are subject to the 
    provisions of Executive Order 12372 which requires intergovernmental 
    consultation with State and local officials.
    
    Environmental Impact Statement
    
        This action has been reviewed in accordance with 7 CFR part 1940, 
    subpart G, ``Environmental Program.'' It has been determined that the 
    action does not constitute a major Federal action significantly 
    affecting the quality of the human environment, and in accordance with 
    the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, Pub. L. 91-190, an 
    Environmental Impact Statement is not required.
    
    Compliance With Executive Order 12778
    
        The regulation has been reviewed in light of Executive Order 12778 
    and meets the applicable standards provided in sections 2(a) and 
    (2)(b)(2) of that Order. Provisions within this part which are 
    inconsistent with State law are controlling. All administrative 
    remedies pursuant to 7 CFR part 11 must be exhausted prior to filing 
    suit.
    
    Information Collection and Paperwork Requirements
    
        The recordkeeping and reporting burden in this rule, under OMB 
    control number 0575-0015, is not fully effective until approved by OMB.
        For further information contact Jerry W. Cooper, Loan Specialist, 
    Water and Waste Division, Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Department of 
    Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., STOP 1570, Washington, DC 
    20250-1548, telephone: (202) 720-9589.
    
    National Performance Review
    
        This regulatory action is being taken as part of the National 
    Performance Review program to eliminate unnecessary regulations and 
    improve those that remain in force.
    
    Unfunded Mandate Reform Act
    
        This rule contains no Federal mandates (under the regulatory 
    provisions of Title II of the Unfunded Mandate Reform Act of 1995) for 
    State, local, and tribal governments or the private sector. Thus 
    today's rule is not subject to the requirements of sections 202 and 205 
    of the Unfunded Mandate Reform Act of 1995.
    
    Cross References of Regulations
    
        The Rural Utilities Service is an Agency resulting from a 
    reorganization of programs administered by the former Farmers Home 
    Administration, the former Rural Development Administration, and the 
    former Rural Electrification Administration. Dual-references or cross-
    references to former Farmers Home Administration regulations and forms 
    are provided for by the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 
    1994.
    
    Regulatory Flexibility Act Certification
    
        The Administrator of RUS has determined that the Regulatory 
    Flexibility Act (5. U.S.C. 601 et seq.) does not apply to this rule.
    
    Background
    
        The water and waste loan and grant programs are authorized by 
    various sections of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, (7 
    U.S.C. 1921 et seq.), as amended. The regulations for these programs, 
    particularly the loan program, have not been completely reviewed for 
    many years. The recent streamlining and reorganization of the 
    Department of Agriculture provided an opportunity to review and rewrite 
    the
    
    [[Page 33463]]
    
    water and waste loan and grant regulations. A task force was formed to 
    review and rewrite the regulations. The aim of the task force was to 
    make the regulations easier to understand, eliminate unnecessary 
    requirements, and continue to protect the interest of the U.S. 
    taxpayer.
        The program provides loan and grant funds for water and waste 
    disposal projects serving the most financially needy rural communities. 
    Financial assistance should result in reasonable user costs for rural 
    residents, rural businesses, and other rural users. The program is 
    limited to rural areas and small towns with a population of 10,000 or 
    less.
        The final rule will divide the regulation into four subparts: A, B, 
    C, and D. Subpart A contains the general policies and requirements of 
    the loan and grant program. Subpart B contains the loan and grant 
    application processing requirements. Subpart C contains all the 
    requirements for planning, designing, bidding, contracting, 
    constructing, and inspections. Subpart D has information required in 
    the preparation of notes or bonds and bond transcript documents for 
    public body applicants.
        Major changes are:
        1. Redirects additional grant funds to communities that truly need 
    the assistance in order to construct a project. Communities with 
    incomes over 100 percent of the State nonmetropolitan median household 
    income will not qualify for any grant funds as in the current 
    regulations.
        2. Stretches the grant dollars appropriated by Congress to help 
    more communities by changing the maximum percentage of grant funds that 
    a higher income community can receive from 55 percent to 45 percent of 
    RUS's share of the project costs. This change could have an indirect 
    effect of having an incentive for development of regional projects.
        3. The process used to select projects for funding has been revised 
    to direct funds to low income, small communities that need to correct 
    health problems. Also, the priority points awarded for regional systems 
    have been increased.
        4. The application process has been streamlined to reduce 
    unnecessary paperwork and improve service to the rural communities. 
    There will be less regulations and the number of pages will be greatly 
    reduced.
        5. The application process has been shortened by eliminating the 
    preapplication process. However, an applicant will have the option of 
    requesting an Agency eligibility review before submitting a complete 
    application.
        6. A preliminary engineering report (PER) must be submitted earlier 
    in the application process. The requirement of submitting a PER earlier 
    in the process will assist the staff in making better decisions. Also, 
    applicants have to have this type of document to help them determine 
    what, where, and how they are going to build needed facilities. This 
    change will force applicants to have a clear picture of what they want 
    to construct prior to applying for assistance. A majority of applicants 
    have a PER at the preapplication stage now, therefore the change will 
    tend to put all applicants on a level field.
        7. The functions of former Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) and 
    the Rural Development Administration (RDA) relating to the water and 
    waste loan and grant programs authorized by various sections of the 
    Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)), as 
    amended have been transferred to RUS. Therefore in order to enhance the 
    delivery of customer services and better assist the public, RUS is 
    amending regulations originally published by FmHA and RDA. These 
    amendments will replace references to FmHA and RDA and its officials 
    with references to RUS and to appropriate officials. This action will 
    also separate the regulation now utilized by RUS and Rural Housing 
    Service (RHS) to administering the water and waste loan and community 
    facilities loan programs, respectively. All parts pertaining to the 
    water and waste loan program will be moved into 7 CFR part 1780. This 
    action will have no effect on RHS's community facilities loan program 
    as this action makes no changes in the regulation. The following 
    programs are affected by these amendments: (1) Water and Waste Loans 
    and Grants, (2) Technical Assistance and Planning Grants, (3) Emergency 
    Community Water Assistance Grants, (4) Section 306C WWD Loans and 
    Grants, and (5) Resource Conservation and Development Loans and 
    Watershed Loans and Advances.
        8. The criteria utilized to allocate water and waste program funds 
    has been moved from 7 CFR part 1940, subpart L to 7 CFR part 1780.
        The major 1996 Farm Bill changes are:
        1. Funds made available for these programs may be made available 
    for a water system that is making significant progress toward meeting 
    the Safe Drinking Water Act standards.
        2. Funds made available for water treatment discharge or waste 
    disposal system must meet applicable Federal and State water pollution 
    control standards.
        3. Within 60 days of filing an application for loan or grant 
    assistance, a notice of intent shall be published in a general 
    circulation newspaper.
        4. When applicants hire outside engineers, the applicant shall 
    publicly announce all requirements for engineering and architectural 
    services, and negotiate contracts for such services on the basis of 
    demonstrated competence and qualifications for the type professional 
    service required and at a fair and reasonable price. When project 
    design services are procured separately, the selection of the engineer 
    or architect shall be done by a request for proposal.
        5. Assistance under any rural development program administered by 
    the Secretary or any agency of the Department of Agriculture shall not 
    be conditioned on any requirement that the recipient of the assistance 
    accept or receive electric service from any particular utility, 
    supplier, or cooperative. This is being implemented for the water and 
    waste loan and grant programs.
        6. Section 306B of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act 
    (7 U.S.C. 1926b) was repealed. References to section 306B were deleted 
    from the regulations and the amendments to section 306A are included.
        7. The interest rate formula for Resource Conversation and 
    Development Loans, and Watershed Protection and Flood Preventation 
    Loans was amended to establish the interest rate on these loans based 
    on current market yield for outstanding municipal obligations with 
    remaining periods to maturity comparable to the average maturity for 
    the loan, adjusted to the nearest 1/8 of 1 percent.
    
    Comments on the Proposed Rule
    
        RUS published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on September 
    12, 1996, (61 FR 48075) and asked for written comments on or before 
    October 15, 1996. The Agency received seventy-nine comments from the 
    public review process. All comments were considered when preparing the 
    final rule; however, all comments have not been addressed separately 
    since many could be addressed collectively. Responses to comments 
    received are grouped according to corresponding sections of the rule 
    and are as follows:
    
    [[Page 33464]]
    
    Subpart A--General Policies and Requirements
    
    Sec.
    
    1780.1  General.
    
        1. Sec. 1780.1(k)--Include the Brooks Architect-Engineer Act, Title 
    40 of the U.S. Code subchapter VI, Sections 541, 542, 543, and 544 as 
    the federal statute applicants should be aware of and comply with 
    relative to the procurement of engineering services.
        Agency response: The Agency has not implemented this suggested 
    change. The Brooks Architect-Engineer Act only applies to Federal 
    procurement and would not be applicable to non-profit organizations and 
    units of local and State government who are the recipients of the 
    financial assistance.
    
    1780.3  Definitions and grammatical rules of construction.
    
        1. Add a definition of Agency Identified Target Areas referred to 
    in Sec. 1780.17.
        Agency response: The Agency agrees and has added a definition.
        2. Sec. 1780.3(a)--Similar System Cost--Recommend establishment of 
    similar system cost based on a comparison of rate structure for the 
    same amount of water usage.
        Agency response: The Agency does not agree with this 
    recommendation. While this might be possible for a water system, the 
    Agency funds other types of projects where this type information would 
    not be available. The proposed language would be broad enough to cover 
    all types of projects funded by the Agency, including similar usage 
    levels.
        3. Sec. 1780.3(a)--Equivalent Dwelling Unit--Add after ``typical 
    rural residential dwelling'' add the following, ``or users whose total 
    water needs could be met by a single residential sized water meter.'' A 
    property with a permanent residence and a stop gap housing structure 
    should only be considered as one connection.
        Agency response: The Agency made no change in the definition. 
    Number of individual meters or residential dwellings are not what 
    determines an equivalent dwelling unit (EDU). An EDU is based on the 
    average consumption of a typical rural residential household.
        4. Sec. 1780.3(a)--Rural and rural areas--Should be written as 
    broadly as possible to avoid defining a rural area as a local 
    government unit.
        Agency response: The Agency made no change in the definition of 
    rural and rural areas. The Agency does not define a rural area outside 
    a city or town by the type of local governmental unit.
    
    1780.7  Eligibility.
    
        1. Sec. 1780.7(c)(2)--Delete last sentence. The capacity for fire 
    protection is repeated in Sec. 1780.57(d) and should not be in this 
    section.
        Agency response: The Agency agrees and made the change.
        2. Sec. 1780.7(d)--Place a period after the word ``terms'' and 
    delete ``or other funding sources.''
        Agency response: The Agency agreed and made the change.
        3. Sec. 1780.7(e)--What is meant by ``reasonable rates and terms?''
        Agency response: The words ``and terms'' should have not been 
    included in that sentence. The applicant would be responsible for 
    providing continued availability and use of the proposed facility at 
    reasonable rates. The Agency has made the change.
    
    1780.9  Eligible loan and grant purposes.
    
        1. Sec. 1780.9(e)(1)(iv)--Change to specify that only ``hired'' 
    applicant labor be reimbursable and not for people already on payroll.
        Agency response: The Agency agrees and limited the use of funds to 
    ``additional'' applicant labor necessary to install and extend service.
        2. Sec. 1780.9(f)(1)--After the word ``obligations for'' add 
    ``engineering and other services used to prepare the application or.''
        Agency response: The Agency agrees and changed the word 
    ``construction'' to ``eligible project costs.'' This would cover all 
    project costs incurred before loan or grant approval.
        3. Sec. 1780.9(e)(1)(v)--2 commenters--Should provide clearer 
    guidance on what circumstances may warrant using funds for connecting 
    users to the system.
        Agency response: The Agency made no change. The wording ``unusual 
    cases'' means that using loan and grant funds to connect users to the 
    main service line would be the exception rather than the rule. This 
    should only be considered in situations where the users cannot pay the 
    cost or from an engineering standpoint that it is the logical thing to 
    do.
        4. Sec. 1780.9(e)(1)(i)--Revise to include training as an eligible 
    cost. Would assure that equipment and processes will function as 
    intended. The lack of technical expertise to properly operate and 
    maintain new equipment or treatment processes can be a major problem 
    with small systems.
        Agency response: The Agency made no change. The proposed language 
    is broad enough to allow the use of funds to provide necessary training 
    to operators to assure proper operation and maintenance of equipment.
    
    1780.10  Limitations.
    
        1. Sec. 1780.10(c)(2)--13 commenters--Do not change the formula 
    from 55 percent grant to 45 percent grant.
        Agency response: The Agency made no change. The Agency has a 
    limited amount of grant funds available for rural communities. The 
    Agency is directing these funds to the communities that have the 
    greatest need for these funds. The reduction from 55 percent to 45 
    percent will make additional grant funds available to low income 
    communities that have the greatest need for the limited grant funds.
        2. Sec. 1780.10(c)--2 commenters--Revise the requirement that 
    restricts the amount of grant to RUS's share of project costs. Change 
    the wording ``RUS funded project development costs'' to ``RUS eligible 
    project development costs.''
        Agency response: The Agency agrees and has made the change.
        3. Sec. 1780.10(c)(2)--Allow grants up to 75 percent to all 
    existing borrowers where funding is considered servicing action.
        Agency response: The Agency does not agree with this 
    recommendation. The amount of grant funds an applicant can receive 
    should be based on eligibility and not if they are an existing RUS 
    borrower.
        4. Sec. 1780.10(a)(6)--Recommend that the limitation on allowing 
    rental of applicant owned equipment be deleted. Should allow for 
    community owned equipment to be rented for the project if it is the 
    most cost effective option.
        Agency response: This recommendation was not adopted. Program funds 
    should not be used to rent equipment an applicant owns. Program funds 
    should be used to cover services and equipment not available to the 
    applicant.
        5. Sec. 1780.10(c)(1)--2 commenters--Recommend removing the 
    requirement regarding health or sanitary problem. If not removed, need 
    to clarify that if there is no health or sanitary problem, the amount 
    of grant that could be obtained is based on income only.
        Agency response: The Agency made no change. The eligibility for the 
    maximum 75 percent grant should be based on need as well as income. The 
    addition of health or sanitary problems makes eligibility for the 75 
    percent grant consistent with the eligibility for the poverty interest 
    rate.
        6. Sec. 1780.10(c)(2)--Recommend changing 45 percent grant to 50 
    percent grant.
    
    [[Page 33465]]
    
        Agency response: The Agency made no change. The 45 percent grant 
    amount will make more grant funds available to communities with a 
    median household income of less than 80 percent of the nonmetropolitian 
    median household income of the State. This will allow the Agency to 
    target grant funds to more low income communities.
        7. Sec. 1780.10(c)(1)--Recommend increasing maximum grant 
    percentage to 85 percent.
        Agency response: Agency made no change. The maximum grant is 
    limited by law to 75 percent.
        8. Sec. 1780.10(b)(3)--As written, this section is confusing. 
    Should rephrase to read: ``Pay project costs when other loan funding 
    for the project is available at reasonable rates and terms.''
        Agency response: The Agency made no change. This is a limitation on 
    when grant funds can be used. The proposed language would prohibit a 
    grant being made when the interest rate or length of repayment are not 
    in line with those received by other communities with similar economic 
    conditions.
    
    1780.11  Service area requirements.
    
        1. Sec. 1780.11(a)(2)--Recommend that this paragraph be deleted. 
    System officials should make decisions regarding areas to serve based 
    on financial, environmental, and design factors.
        Agency response: The Agency made no change. The Agency agrees that 
    in installing a facility the decisions regarding areas to be served 
    should be based on financial, environmental, and design factors. This 
    paragraph allows the decisions regarding areas to be served to be based 
    on these factors.
    
    1780.13  Rates and terms.
    
        1. Sec. 1780.13(d)--There are currently four weekly Bond Buyer 
    indices used to measure interest rates. This section needs to 
    specifically identify which index is used.
        Agency response: The Agency agrees and has made the change.
        2. Sec. 1780.13(e) Add a new paragraph (4) to read as follows: 
    ``Principal and interest may be deferred in whole or in part for a 
    period not to exceed 36 months prior to the date of the first 
    installment due. This would be only in those cases where the 
    development of the water source and treatment facility or sanitary 
    treatment facilities are needed prior to the water or sewer being 
    available to the rural users.''
        Agency response: The Agency has not made this change. The 
    regulations allow for deferment of principal and loan funds can be used 
    to pay interest. By putting these together the same purpose can be 
    accomplished as the suggested change.
    
    1780.14  Security.
    
        1. Sec. 1780.14(c)--Recommend that the parity security requirement 
    be deleted.
        Agency response: The Agency did not make this change. Eliminating 
    the parity security requirement would not adequately protect the 
    security interest of the Government. The Agency should be in a 
    ``parity'' security position with other lenders when jointly financing 
    a project. If the project is financially sound, there is no problem 
    with the parity requirement. The government should not guarantee other 
    lenders loans by taking junior lien positions when jointly funded 
    projects are developed.
    
    1780.17  Selection priorities and process.
    
        1. Sec. 1780.17(a)(1)--Reduce population from 1,000 to 500 and add 
    5 points.
        Agency response: The Agency agrees to make part of the suggested 
    change. The Agency agrees to change the population points for 
    communities with a population not in excess of 1,000 to 25 points. The 
    Agency did not reduce the population to 500. Leaving the breaking point 
    at 1,000 or less will give balance between financial feasibility and 
    population priority.
        2. Sec. 1780.17(b)--The points for ``health'' should equal those 
    for ``income.'' Recommend increasing points in Sec. 1780.17(b) (1) and 
    (2) to 30 points and increasing points in Sec. 1780.17(b)(3) to 20.
        Agency response: The Agency did not make this change. The Agency 
    agrees that the protection of public health is a high priority. 
    However, low income communities can least afford to construct the 
    infrastructure that is needed to improve their health. By giving more 
    priority to income and equal priority to small populations and health, 
    funds can be directed to communities with the greatest need.
        3. Sec. 1780.17(b)--Recommends that there be a gradation within the 
    25 points allowed for health priorities for severity of health hazard. 
    This would give more points to the greatest health hazards and less 
    points to ``lesser'' health issues.
        Agency response: The Agency did not make this change. The health 
    priority pertaining to a water system are required by the Federal 
    statute that authorizes the program. This would make it difficult to 
    develop an equitable graduation scale within the health priority points 
    for each category.
        4. Sec. 1780.17(b)--Should there be health priority points for 
    storm drainage?
        Agency response: The Agency did not make a change. There could be 
    measurable health problems associated with a storm drainage project, 
    the majority are safety related. Storm drainage would receive priority 
    points under other categories, but would not rank as high as a drinking 
    water or sewer project that directly corrects a health problem.
        5. Sec. 1780.17(c)--Change heading to ``Median Household Income.'' 
    Also, word ``household'' should be in (c)(1).
        Agency response: Agency made the change.
        6. Sec. 1780.17(f)--Delete the phase ``exceeding 20% of the 
    development cost at time of loan or grant approval or.'' Placing an 
    arbitrary limit would further compound the problem at hand and would 
    hinder the resolution of the funding problem.
        Agency response: The Agency made no change. Project cost overruns 
    that exceed 20 percent should not be given priority for receiving 
    additional funding from the Agency. The Agency is trying to reduce 
    funds that go into project cost overruns and by reducing the funding 
    priority is one way this can be accomplished.
    
    1780.18  Public information.
    
        1. Sec. 1780.18(a)--The publishing of a notice of intent to file an 
    application is nothing but extra cost to the applicant.
        Agency response: The Agency made no change. This is a requirement 
    of the 1996 Farm Bill.
        2. Sec. 1780.18(a)--Should increase the notice of intent from 60 
    days to 180 days.
        Agency response: The Agency made no change. This 60 day requirement 
    was part of the 1996 Farm Bill.
        3. Sec. 1780.18(a)--Recommend allowing alternative means of 
    notifying public such as fliers or mailers in small communities.
        Agency response: The Agency has not made the changed. The 1996 Farm 
    Bill requires that the notice of intent to file a application be 
    published in a general circulation newspaper.
        4. Sec. 1780.18(b)--Recommend giving applicant's the option to hold 
    the public meeting prior to the application submittal. Delete ``after 
    the application is filed and'' add ``The public meeting must be held 
    not later than loan or grant approval.''
        Agency response: The Agency agrees to this change.
        5. Sec. 1780.18(b)--2 commenters--Eliminate the requirement for a 
    public meeting.
        Agency response: The Agency made no change. It is extremely 
    important that applicants keep the general public
    
    [[Page 33466]]
    
    informed about the development of a proposed project. Support from the 
    general public for a water or waste project is one of the most 
    important ingredients for success.
    
    Subpart B--Loan and Grant Application Processing
    
    1780.31  General.
    
        1. Sec. 1780.31(d)--Change ``State Environmental Coordinator'' to 
    State Environmental Coordinator or designee.''
        Agency response: The Agency made no change. The State Environmental 
    Coordinator should be involved in the application process to assure 
    that important environmental issues are properly addressed.
    
    1780.32  Timeframes for application processing.
    
        1. Sec. 1780.32(a)--2 commenters--Revise to 15 working days or 
    delete the 15 day requirement for notifying applicants that application 
    is incomplete.
        Agency response: The Agency agrees and has made this change.
    
    1780.33  Application requirements.
    
        1. Should continue with preapplication process--14 commenters--The 
    preapplication allows determination if a project is workable in RUS's 
    view before spending time and money on formal application. This makes 
    the overall funding process more workable and gives time needed to 
    explore options before an application is formally filed.
        Agency response: The Agency has considered this recommendation and 
    has given communities another option. If a community wishes to know if 
    they are eligible for financial assistance they can make a written 
    request to the Agency.
        2. Eliminate requiring a PER and 1940-20 at initial stage of 
    application process.
        Agency response: The Agency did not make this change. The 
    Preliminary Engineering Report contains information on the proposed 
    project that the Agency must have at this stage of the application 
    process. Form RD 1940-20 provides the information necessary for the 
    Agency to start the environmental review process and is needed at this 
    stage of the application process.
        3. Sec. 1780.33(c)--2 commenters--Should delete last sentence as 
    the completion of a PER is covered in Sec. 1780.55 or insert ``PER 
    guidelines for water, sanitary sewer, solid waste, and storm drainage 
    are available from the agency.''
        Agency response: The Agency agrees and has deleted the sentence.
        4. Sec. 1780.33(c)--Recommend that RUS provide up front funds in 
    form of a loan to cover cost of preliminary engineering report for 
    poorest communities.
        Agency response: The Agency made no change. The Agency has a 
    limited amount of loan funds available and uses these funds toward the 
    total project costs rather than partial up front costs. The Agency 
    believes that it is important to utilize its limited funds to build 
    projects, rather than funding a preliminary engineering report for a 
    project that may never be built.
        5. Sec. 1780.33(f)--Delete reference to Form RD 1940-20, insert 
    ``The applicant will consult with the processing office to determine 
    the appropriate environmental information that should be provided.''
        Agency response: The Agency revised to allow applicant to provide 
    comparable information without using Form RD 1940-20.
        6. Sec. 1780.33(h)--2 commenters--Combine all certifications into 
    one form called ``General Borrower Certification.'' or include a 
    statement and check off on the application indicating that these 
    requirements will apply and allowing the applicant to complete such 
    certificates if and when the loan actually closes.
        Agency response: The Agency made no change. However, this is a 
    issue that will be reviewed in the future to determine what can be done 
    in this area.
    
    1780.35  Processing office review.
    
        1. Sec. 1780.35(b)(2)--Recommends that a actual monthly rate 
    ceilings for the poverty and intermediate categories be established.
        Agency response: The Agency made no change. While an actual monthly 
    rate ceiling might work for a small geographic area it would be 
    impossible to establish one for the entire United States that would be 
    fair to all areas. When the debt service portion of the annual user 
    costs exceeds the appropriate percentage of median household income, 
    the Agency can determine the grant amount based on similar system cost.
        2. Sec. 1780.35(b)(2)--Recommend that the relationship to total 
    debt service and the project O&M cost be considered in determining 
    grant eligibility.
        Agency response: The Agency made no change. The relationship 
    between median household income and debt service is used because grant 
    funds can only be used to reduce the debt. However, the similar system 
    cost method used in (b)(3) does take into consideration other user 
    costs in determining the grant amount.
    
    1780.39  Application processing.
    
        1. Sec. 1780.39(a)--In first sentence remove ``and after the 
    applicant selects its professional and technical representative.''
        Agency response: The Agency agrees and made the change.
        2. Sec. 1780.39(b)(1)--27 commenters--Request for proposals should 
    be deleted. Could cause potential conflicts and drive cost up. 
    Applicants should be allowed to choose the engineer based on knowledge 
    and experience.
        Agency response: The Agency has not deleted this requirement. This 
    is a requirement of the 1996 Farm Bill and must be complied with. 
    However, the Agency has revised to make it clear that the selection of 
    the engineer to develop the preliminary engineering report is not 
    subject to this requirement. Also, clarified is that the selection of 
    engineering services should be on the basis of all relevant factors.
        3. Sec. 1780.39(b)(1)--4 commenters--When applicants hire outside 
    engineers, the selection of an engineer for a project design shall be 
    conducted pursuant to state procurement laws or in the absence thereof, 
    pursuant to the Federal Brooks Act, Public Law 92-582.
        Agency response: The Agency revised the paragraph to reflect state 
    statutes or local requirements. The Brooks Act only applies to Federal 
    procurement and construction. This act would not apply because the 
    Federal government is not selecting the engineer. Revised rule to 
    reflect that the owner may procure engineering services in accordance 
    with applicable state laws providing the procurement meets the intent 
    of this section.
        4. Sec. 1780.39(b)(1)--4 commenters--Request for proposals should 
    be required for all engineering services not only project design. 
    Delete phase ``for project design.''
        Agency response: The Agency revised to make this optional, but not 
    a requirement. It should be left up to the applicant to make this 
    decision and not made mandatory by the Agency.
        5. Sec. 1780.39(b)(1)--Change all references to request for 
    proposal to ``Request For Qualifications and/or Request for Proposal or 
    add a definition for Request For Proposal that includes qualification 
    and request for engineering services.
        Agency response: The Agency has revised the selection of 
    engineering services to reflect all relevant factors.
        6. Sec. 1780.39(b)(1)--Consider moving to Sec. 1780.54 and clarify 
    how engineers are to be selected in (1).
    
    [[Page 33467]]
    
        Agency response: The Agency did not make this change. The section 
    was revised to clarify how engineers are to be selected. This section 
    pertains to all professional services and contracts related to the 
    facility and the Agency believes that this is the best place to address 
    engineering services.
        7. Sec. 1780.39(b)(1)--Suggest that the regulation make provision 
    to allow an ``ongoing'' contract or relationship with a community to 
    continue without a new selection procedure.
        Agency response: The Agency made no change. The 1996 Farm Bill 
    requires that when project design is procured separately, the selection 
    of the engineer shall be done by a request for proposal.
        8. Sec. 1780.39(b)(1)--The rule is silent on the procurement of 
    engineering services for the planning phase of a project.
        Agency response: The Agency has revised the rule to require 
    applicants to publicly announce all requirements for engineering 
    services.
        9. Sec. 1780.39(b)(1)--2 commenters--Should be made clear that if 
    engineer has already been selected through an RFP then the process does 
    not have to be repeated for design phase.
        Agency response: The Agency agrees that only one public 
    announcement covering requirements for engineering services is 
    necessary for a project. The revision will allow for this situation.
        10. Sec. 1780.39(b)(1)--If a project is funded in phases, would an 
    RFP have to be done for each phase? When can noncompetitive 
    negotiations be utilized for engineering services?
        Agency response: If a project has been divided into phases and the 
    procurement of engineering services covering all phases has been done 
    in accordance with Agency requirements, the process would not have to 
    be repeated as each phase is constructed. Noncompetitive negotiations 
    could be utilized for the planning and preliminary engineering work 
    done on a project after the applicant publicly announces all 
    requirements for engineering services.
        11. Sec. 1780.39(b)(1)--Honor agreements for engineering services 
    entered into prior to submitting an application.
        Agency response: The Agency made no change. If engineering services 
    were selected in accordance with Agency requirements, then the process 
    would not have to be repeated.
        12. Sec. 1780.39(c)(2)--What is ``meaningful user cash 
    contributions?''
        Agency response: To clarify the intent of this paragraph, the 
    Agency has changed the word ``meaningful'' to ``new.'' This should make 
    it clear that only users not presently receiving service will be 
    required to make an up front cash payment to indicate interest in 
    receiving service when it becomes available.
        13. Sec. 1780.39(e)(2)--Divide into two paragraphs by adding a 
    (e)(3) to read as follows and deleting reference to maintenance, 
    extensions, etc. in (e)(2): Facility Maintenance Reserve. Additional 
    reserves will need to be established for emergency maintenance, 
    improvements to facilities, replacement of short-lived assets and other 
    restricted reserves as deemed necessary by the governing body and 
    lender.
        Agency response: The Agency made no change. The rule would allow 
    for the establishment of debt service reserve and a facility 
    maintenance reserve. The amount of funds that would be placed in the 
    reserve accounts would be determined by the applicant and the Agency. 
    The one-tenth of an average annual loan installment is the minimum 
    requirement and the requirement could be larger.
        14. Sec. 1780.39(e)(2)--2 commenters--Recommend that the reserve be 
    fully funded over the first 10 years of the loan and not over the life 
    of the loan.
        Agency response: Agency made no change. It is important that 
    borrowers maintain adequate reserves to cover unexpected short-falls of 
    revenue and to adequately maintain their systems.
        15. Sec. 1780.39(f)--Delete last sentence in (f), and all of (1) 
    and (2).
        Agency response: The Agency has made a revision to clarify, but did 
    not delete the sentence.
        16. Sec. 1780.39(g)(3)--Should require fidelity bond coverage be 
    specifically for RUS funded project.
        Agency response: It is not necessary that a fidelity or employee 
    dishonesty bond cover only the RUS funded project. However, the amount 
    of fidelity or employee dishonesty bond coverage must be enough to 
    cover not only RUS requirements, but other claims that could be made on 
    the bond.
        17. Sec. 1780.39(i)--Should be allowed to issue a Letter of 
    Conditions when funds are not available or at least some percentage.
        Agency response: The Agency made no change. Letter of Conditions 
    are taken by the general public to mean a commitment has been made by 
    the Agency to fund a project. By not issuing a Letter of Conditions 
    until funds are available for a project, problems associated with an 
    applicant thinking that funds are available when in fact they are not 
    can be avoided.
    
    1780.44  Actions prior to loan or grant closing or start of 
    construction, whichever occurs first.
    
        1. Sec. 1780.44(e)--Allow deobligation of funds in the same 
    percentage as funds were obligated.
        Agency response: The Agency did not make this change. The amount of 
    deobligated funds is based on an reassessment of the need for grant 
    funds to achieve a reasonable user rate. Deobligation of funds based on 
    percentage of funds obligated could result in an applicant receiving 
    more grant funds than needed to have reasonable user rates. With the 
    limited amount of grant funds that the Agency has available, the funds 
    must be stretched as far as possible in order to serve the maximum 
    number of communities who need funds to construct projects.
        2. Sec. 1780.44(e)--Provide an incentive for communities to save 
    money by applying savings against the loan first rather than grant.
        Agency response: The Agency made no change. The Agency believes 
    that the best approach is to work with communities early in the process 
    to reduce the project costs. Once the Agency has committed funds to a 
    community to construct a project, both parties have agreed on an amount 
    of loan that can be repaid. Any reduction in the loan amount at this 
    point could result in the community receiving more grant funds than 
    needed in order to have reasonable user rates.
        3. Sec. 1780.44(e)--Recommend waiting until completion of 
    construction before deobligating any unused funds.
        Agency response: The Agency made no change. All construction 
    projects have contingency funds set aside to cover unanticipated 
    expenses during construction. Therefore, funds that are not needed for 
    project costs should be deobligated and made available to another 
    community.
    
    1780.45  Loan and grant closing and delivery of funds.
    
        1. Sec. 1780.45(f)(1)--Revise to allow remaining funds to be used 
    by a community to improve its existing system.
        Agency response: The Agency made a change. The language was 
    broadened to allow use of Agency funds not needed for the project to be 
    used for the facility being financed. Any improvements must not result 
    in major changes to the applicant's facility. For example, if RUS funds 
    were used to construct a water project, then RUS funds that remain 
    after completion could be used for any RUS eligible purpose on the 
    applicant's whole water system.
    
    [[Page 33468]]
    
        2. Sec. 1780.45(f)(3)--Delete the requirement to notify the 
    attorney and engineer when funds are deobligated.
        Agency response: The Agency did not make this change. Many of the 
    engineer's or attorney's are helping the applicant with completion of a 
    project. It is important that all interested parties be notified before 
    funds are canceled.
    
    1780.49  Rural or Native Alaskan villages.
    
        1. Sec. 1780.49(c)(4)--Revise to allow use of federal and non-
    federal sources of funds.
        Agency response: The Agency made no change. The law that authorizes 
    the funds for rural or native Alaskan villages requires that the 
    matching funds be non-federal funds.
        2. Sec. 1780.49(f)(1)--Revise to authorize projects of Alaska Area 
    Native Health Service.
        Agency response: The Agency made no change. In order to assure that 
    the projects are properly constructed the Agency will continue to 
    restrict the waiver of construction requirements contained in this 
    subpart to projects that are jointly funded with the State of Alaska.
        3. Should contain a specific reference that solid waste disposal 
    projects are eligible grant purposes.
        Agency Response: The Agency made no change. The Agency considers 
    solid waste disposal to be included in waste disposal services 
    authorized by this paragraph.
    
    Subpart C--Planning, Designing, Bidding, Contracting, Constructing and 
    Inspections
    
    1780.54  Technical services.
    
        1. Consider including Architects in this section as they are 
    sometimes involved in water and waste projects.
        Agency response: The Agency agrees and made change.
        2. Does ``in house'' mean one on the applicant's staff or one under 
    previous contract with applicant or both?
        Agency response: ``in house'' means one on the applicant's staff.
    
    1780.57  Design policies.
    
        1. Sec. 1780.57(c)--Recommend encouraging the procurement of 
    environmentally preferable products and services.
        Agency response: The Agency revised to reflect both energy-
    efficient and environmentally-sound products and services.
        2. Sec. 1780.57(b)--Delete words ``or reside.'' Do not construct 
    occupied dwellings.
        Agency response: The Agency made the change.
        3. Sec. 1780.57(h)--Delete the wording ``Agency determines.''
        Agency response: The Agency made no change. This language is 
    required by the 1996 Farm Bill.
    
    1780.67  Performing construction.
    
        1. Recommend design build and construction management that is in 
    existing regulations be added as an option.
        Agency response: Agency has made no change. The proposed language 
    would not exclude design build and construction management.
        2. Strengthen language by inserting ``using their own personnel or 
    designated, qualified, and supervised volunteers.''
        Agency response: The Agency did not make this change. This section 
    does not prohibit use of volunteers in addition to an applicant's own 
    personnel.
    
    1780.70  Owner's procurement regulations.
    
        1. Sec. 1780.70(b)--Recommend deleting the word ``comprehensive'' 
    or the entire last two sentences.
        Agency response: The Agency made no change. The Agency cannot make 
    this change as it is required by law.
    
    1780.72  Procurement methods.
    
        1. Sec. 1780.72--2 commenters--Recommend that design/build be added 
    to section as an option for procurement.
        Agency response: The Agency made no change. The proposed language 
    would allow design build as a construction option.
        2. Sec. 1780.72(a)--The requirements in 1780.75(b) and (d) should 
    be included for any small purchase over $10,000.
        Agency response: The Agency made no change. The provision for 
    termination and equal employment opportunity would apply to any 
    contract exceeding $10,000. The type of procurement would not influence 
    this requirement.
        3. Sec. 1780.72(a)--What does the phrase ``costing in the aggregate 
    not more than $100,000'' mean?
        Agency response: The phrase ``costing in the aggregate not more 
    than $100,000'' means the total dollar amount of an item or product 
    that is being purchased for a project. For example, a water system 
    could utilize the small purchase procedures to procure $90,000 for 
    water meters and $20,000 for equipment. In this example, each item 
    procured was under $100,000, but the total was over $100,000.
        4. Sec. 1780.72(a) and Sec. 1780.72(d)(6)--Recommend deleting small 
    purchase and using noncompetitive negotiation in its place.
        Agency response: The Agency did not make this change. While these 
    two procurement methods are similar each has its place in the 
    construction of water and waste projects.
        5. Sec. 1780.72(c)--6 commenters--Delete the competitive 
    negotiation for engineering services.
        Agency response: The Agency has not deleted this requirement. This 
    is a requirement of the 1996 Farm Bill and must be complied with. The 
    requirement has been clarified to reflect that the selection of 
    engineering services should be on the basis of all relative factors. 
    The Agency moved the selection of engineering services to 
    Sec. 1780.39(b)(1).
        6. Sec. 1780.72(c)--2 commenters--Certain States have enacted 
    legislation that specifically prohibits State and Local Agencies from 
    seeking formal or informal submission of verbal or written estimates of 
    costs or price proposals. The rule should be amended to delete any and 
    all provisions that require or allow the use of cost or price as a 
    consideration in the selection of a design professional.
        Agency response: The Agency made a change by revising 
    Sec. 1780.39(b)(1) and deleting engineering procurement from this 
    section.
        7. Sec. 1780.72(c)--2 commenters--Should revise to require only one 
    competitive negotiation procedure which should be at the ``Step I'' 
    phase and not wait until the design phase. Allow credit to those 
    applicants that can properly document that their engineer selection in 
    Step I of a project was in conformance with competitive negotiation and 
    would not have to be repeated at the ``design phase.''
        Agency response: The Agency agrees that only one public 
    announcement covering requirements for engineering services is 
    necessary for a project. The revision to Sec. 1780.39(b)(1) will allow 
    for this situation.
        8. Sec. 1780.72(c)--Revise by removing reference to obtaining 
    proposals from other sources.
        Agency response: Agency made no change. The procurement of 
    engineering services was moved to Sec. 1780.39(b)(1).
        9. Sec. 1780.72(c)--Delete reference to engineering services, 
    implies competitive negotiations can only be used for engineering 
    services.
        Agency response: Agency made the change. The procurement of 
    engineering services was moved to Sec. 1780.39(b)(1).
        10. Sec. 1780.72(c)--Should clarify that the applicant could select 
    an engineer through the noncompetitive process to perform the PER and 
    assist in the production of the application.
    
    [[Page 33469]]
    
        Agency response: Agency revised the procurement of engineering 
    services in Sec. 1780.39(b)(1) to clarify this issue.
        11. Sec. 1780.72(c)(2)--3 commenters--Modify by deleting references 
    to price or cost for obtaining engineering services. The significant 
    evaluation factors to be based on a firm's professional qualifications, 
    specialized experience, technical competence and so forth.
        Agency response: The Agency made a change by removing reference to 
    cost or price as a consideration in Sec. 1780.39(b)(1).
        12. Sec. 1780.72(c)(5)--Delete the word ``other'' before 
    ``professional services.'' This will clarify that competitive 
    negotiations is an acceptable method of procurement for any 
    professional service.
        Agency response: Agency removed all references to procurement of 
    professional service from Sec. 1780.72(c) and moved to 
    Sec. 1780.39(b)(1). Sec. 1780.39(b)(1) contains all procurement 
    requirements for engineering and architectural services.
        13. Sec. 1780.72(d)(5)--Delete word ``design'' so that it covers 
    all engineering services.
        Agency response: Agency removed all references to procurement of 
    professional service from Sec. 1780.72(c) and moved to 
    Sec. 1780.39(b)(1).
        Sec. 1780.39(b)(1) contains all procurement requirements for 
    engineering and architectural services.
    
    1780.75  Contract provisions.
    
        1. Sec. 1780.75(a)--Should be made clear that liquidated damages 
    only applies to construction contracts.
        Agency response: The Agency made the change.
        2. Sec. 1780.75(c)--Change ``be legally doing business in the State 
    where the facility is located'' to ``the surety must be listed in the 
    Treasury Circular 570 as amended as having a license to do business in 
    the State where the facility is located.''
        Agency response: The Agency made the change.
        3. Sec. 1780.75 (b) and (f)--Recommend raising the $10,000 to 
    $100,000.
        Agency response: The Agency did not make this change. It is 
    important to have a termination clause in contracts. The $10,000 cut 
    off point for this requirement is as high as it should be to adequately 
    protect the owner. The equal employment provision is required by other 
    Federal regulations.
        4. Sec. 1780.75(c)--Recommend retaining U.S. Government as co-
    obligee on payment and performance bonds.
        Agency response: The Agency made no change. The Agency is not a 
    party to the contract and should not be included on any payment or 
    performance bond.
        5. Sec. 1780.75(j)--Recommend adding the ability to modify the 
    retainage amount to match other funding source requirements on jointly 
    funded projects.
        Agency response: The Agency made no change. Five percent retainage 
    is the minimum amount that should be withheld to assure that 
    construction is completed in a satisfactorily and timely manner. The 
    regulations would allow for more than 5 percent, if required by other 
    funding sources.
        6. Sec. 1780.75(j)--Five percent retainage on approved partial pay 
    estimates is too low. Leave at 10 percent.
        Agency response: The Agency made no change. The 5 percent retainage 
    is in line with the industry standard. Also, the funds retained will be 
    held until the project is substantially completed and accepted by the 
    owner.
    
    1780.76  Contract administration.
    
        1. Sec. 1780.76(c)--Should be clearly stated that the Agency, not 
    the project engineer, have sole authority to grant or refuse the 
    owner's request for a particular independent resident inspector.
        Agency response: The Agency agrees and has revised.
        2. Sec. 1780.76(d)--Add at end of last sentence ``or similar form 
    approved by the Agency.''
        Agency response: The Agency made the change.
    
    List of Subjects
    
    7 CFR Parts 1775, 1777, 1778, 1780 and 1781
    
        Business and industry, Community development, Community facilities, 
    Grant programs--housing and community development, Reporting and 
    recordkeeping requirements, Rural areas, Waste treatment and disposal, 
    Water supply, Watersheds.
    
    7 CFR Part 1901
    
        Civil rights, Fair housing, Rural areas.
    
    7 CFR Part 1940
    
        Agriculture, Grant programs--housing and community development, 
    Loan programs--agriculture, Rural areas.
    
    7 CFR Parts 1942 and 4284
    
        Business and industry, Community development, Community facilities, 
    Grant programs--housing and community development, Loan programs--
    housing and community development, Reporting and recordkeeping 
    requirements, Rural areas, Soil conservation, Waste treatment and 
    disposal, Water supply.
    
    7 CFR Part 1951
    
        Accounting, Grant programs--housing and community development, 
    Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Rural areas.
    
    7 CFR Part 1956
    
        Accounting, Loan programs--agriculture, Rural areas.
    
        Therefore, RUS amends chapters XVII, XVIII and XLII, title 7, Code 
    of Federal Regulations as follows:
    
    Part 1942, Subpart J--[Redesignated as Part 1775 and Revised]
    
        1. Subpart J of 7 CFR part 1942 is redesignated as 7 CFR part 1775 
    and is revised to read as follows:
    
    PART 1775--TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING GRANTS
    
    Sec.
    1775.1  General.
    1775.2  [Reserved]
    1775.3  Objectives.
    1775.4  Definitions.
    1775.5  Source of funds.
    1775.6  Allocation of funds.
    1775.7  Eligibility.
    1775.8  Purpose.
    1775.9  [Reserved]
    1775.10  Limitations.
    1775.11  Equal opportunity requirements.
    1775.12  Environmental requirements.
    1775.13  Preapplications.
    1775.14  Priority.
    1775.15  [Reserved]
    1775.16  Application processing.
    1775.17  [Reserved]
    1775.18  Grant approval and obligation of funds.
    1775.19  Fidelity bond.
    1775.20-11775.21 [Reserved]
    1775.22  Fund disbursement.
    1775.23  Grant cancellation or major changes.
    1775.24  Reporting.
    1775.25  Audit.
    1775.26  Grant Agreement.
    1775.27  Grant servicing.
    1775.28  Delegation of authority.
    1775.29-1775.99  [Reserved]
    1775.100  OMB control number.
    
        Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 7 U.S.C. 1989; 16 U.S.C. 1005.
    
    Sec. 1775.1  General.
    
        This part sets forth the policies and procedures for making 
    Technical Assistance grants. Grants for technical assistance and 
    training for water and waste disposal facilities are authorized under 
    section 306(a)(16)(A) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development 
    Act, (CONACT), (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)), as amended. Grants for solid waste 
    management are authorized under Section 310B of the CONACT, (7 U.S.C. 
    1932), as amended. Any processing or servicing activity conducted 
    pursuant to this part involving authorized assistance to Agency 
    employees, members of their
    
    [[Page 33470]]
    
    families, known close relatives, or business or close personal 
    associates, is subject to the provisions of subpart D of part 1900 of 
    this title. Applicants for this assistance are required to identify any 
    known relationship or association with an Agency employee.
    
    
    Sec. 1775.2  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 1775.3  Objectives.
    
        (a) The objectives of the Technical Assistance and Training Grant 
    Program are to:
        (1) Identify and evaluate solutions to water and waste disposal 
    problems in rural areas.
        (2) Assist applicants in preparing applications for water and waste 
    grants made in accordance with part 1780 of this chapter.
        (3) Improve operation and maintenance of existing water and waste 
    disposal facilities in rural areas.
        (b) The objectives of the Solid Waste Management Grant Program are 
    to:
        (1) Reduce or eliminate pollution of water resources.
        (2) Improve planning and management of solid waste sites.
    
    
    Sec. 1775.4  Definitions.
    
        Association. An entity, including a small city or town, that is 
    eligible for Rural Utilities Service (RUS) water and waste financial 
    assistance in accordance with Sec. 1780.7 of this chapter.
        Grantee. An entity with whom The Agency has entered into a grant 
    agreement under this program to provide technical assistance and/or 
    training to associations as defined in this section.
        Low income. Median household income below the poverty line for a 
    family of four as defined in Section 673(2) of the Community Services 
    Block Grant Act (42 U.S.C. 9902(2)), or below 80 percent of the 
    Statewide nonmetropolitan median household income.
        Regional. For purposes of the Solid Waste Management grant program, 
    as implemented through this part, regional is defined as any multi-
    jurisdictional area including multi-State or any multi-jurisdictional 
    area within a State.
        Rural area. For water and waste disposal facilities the terms 
    ``rural'' or ``rural area'' will not include any area in a city or town 
    with population in excess of 10,000 inhabitants according to the latest 
    decennial census of the United States.
        State. Any of the fifty States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, 
    the Western Pacific Territories, Marshall Islands, Federated States of 
    Micronesia, Republic of Palau, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
    
    
    Sec. 1775.5  Source of funds.
    
        Technical Assistance and Training grants awarded will be made from 
    not less than one (1) percent or, at the discretion of the Agency 
    Administrator, not more than three (3) percent of any appropriations 
    for grants under Section 306(a)(2) of the CONACT, (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)). 
    Technical Assistance and Training grant funds not obligated by 
    September 1 of each fiscal year will be used for water and waste grants 
    made in accordance with part 1780 of this chapter. This section does 
    not apply to Solid Waste Management grants.
    
    
    Sec. 1775.6  Allocation of funds.
    
        Control of Technical Assistance and Training grant and Solid Waste 
    Management grant funds will be retained in the National office and 
    allocated on a project case basis. These funds are not available for 
    obligation by States.
    
    
    Sec. 1775.7  Eligibility.
    
        (a) Entities eligible for Technical Assistance and Training (TAT) 
    grants are private nonprofit organizations that have been granted tax 
    exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) of the United 
    States.
        (b) Entities eligible for Solid Waste Management (SWM) grants are 
    nonprofit organizations, including:
        (1) Private nonprofit organizations that have been granted tax 
    exempt status by the IRS; and
        (2) Public bodies including local governmental-based multi-
    jurisdictional organizations.
        (c) Applicants for either TAT or SWM grants must also have the 
    proven ability, background, experience, legal authority, and actual 
    capacity to provide technical assistance and/or training on a regional 
    basis to associations as provided in Sec. 1775.3.
    
    
    Sec. 1775.8  Purpose.
    
        (a) Technical Assistance and/or Training Grants may be used to:
        (1) Identify and evaluate solutions to water problems of 
    associations in rural areas relating to:
        (i) Source.
        (ii) Storage.
        (iii) Treatment.
        (iv) Distribution.
        (2) Identify and evaluate solutions to waste problems of 
    associations in rural areas relating to:
        (i) Collection.
        (ii) Treatment.
        (iii) Disposal.
        (3) Assist associations that have filed a preapplication with the 
    Agency in the preparation of water and/or waste loan and/or grant 
    applications.
        (4) Provide training to association personnel that will improve the 
    management, operation and maintenance of water and waste disposal 
    facilities.
        (5) To pay the expenses associated with providing the technical 
    assistance and/or training authorized in paragraphs (a) (1) through (4) 
    of this section.
        (b) Solid Waste Management grants may be used to:
        (1) Evaluate current landfill conditions to determine threats to 
    water resources.
        (2) Provide technical assistance and/or training to enhance 
    operator skills in the maintenance and operation of active landfills.
        (3) Provide technical assistance and/or training to help 
    communities reduce the solid waste stream.
        (4) Provide technical assistance and/or training for operators of 
    landfills which are closed or will be closed in the near future with 
    the development/implementation of closure plans, future land use plans, 
    safety and maintenance planning, and closure scheduling within permit 
    requirements.
    
    
    Sec. 1775.9  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 1775.10  Limitations.
    
        Grant funds may not be used to:
        (a) Recruit applications for the Agency's water and waste loan and/
    or any loan and/or grant program.
        (b) Duplicate current services, replacement or substitution of 
    support previously provided such as those performed by an association's 
    consultant in developing a project.
        (c) Fund political activities.
        (d) Pay for capital assets, the purchase of real estate or 
    vehicles, improve and renovate office space, or repair and maintain 
    privately-owned property.
        (e) Pay for construction or operation and maintenance costs.
        (f) Pay costs incurred prior to the effective date of grants made 
    under this part.
        (g) Pay for technical assistance as defined in this part which 
    duplicates assistance provided to implement an action plan funded by 
    Forest Service (FS) under the National Forest-Dependent Rural 
    Communities Economic Diversification Act (7 U.S.C. 6601 note) for 5 
    continuous years from the date of grant approval by the FS. To avoid 
    duplicate assistance, the grantee shall coordinate with the FS and RUS 
    to ascertain if a grant has been made in a substantially similar 
    geographical or defined local area in a State for technical assistance 
    under the above program. The grantee will provide
    
    [[Page 33471]]
    
    documentation to FS and RUS regarding the contact with each agency. 
    Under its program, the FS assists rural communities dependent upon 
    national forest resources by establishing rural forestry and economic 
    diversification action teams which prepare action plans. Action plans 
    are intended to provide opportunities to promote economic 
    diversification and enhance local economies dependent upon national 
    forest resources.
    
    
    Sec. 1775.11  Equal opportunity requirements.
    
        The policies and regulations contained in subpart E of part 1901 of 
    this title apply to grants made under this part.
    
    
    Sec. 1775.12  Environmental requirements.
    
        The policies and regulations contained in subpart G of part 1940 of 
    this title apply to grants made for the purposes in Sec. 1775.8.
    
    
    Sec. 1775.13  Preapplications.
    
        (a) Applicants will file an original and one copy of SF-424.1, 
    ``Application for Federal Assistance (For Non-construction),'' with the 
    appropriate Agency office between October 1 and December 31 each fiscal 
    year. This form is available in all Agency offices. Applicants 
    proposing to provide technical assistance and/or training in only one 
    State will apply through the appropriate State Office. The State Office 
    will review and forward preapplications, with their recommendations, 
    within seven working days to the National Office, Attention: Water and 
    Waste Disposal. Applicants providing technical assistance and/or 
    training in more than one State will forward the preapplication to the 
    Assistant Administrator, Water and Waste, Rural Utilities Service, 
    Washington, DC 20250. Preapplications for Solid Waste Management grants 
    that cannot be funded in the fiscal year received will not be retained 
    for consideration for funding in the following fiscal year and will be 
    handled as outlined in paragraph (g) of this section.
        (b) All preapplications shall be accompanied by:
        (1) Evidence of applicant's legal existence and authority in the 
    form of certified copies of organizational documents and a certified 
    list of directors and officers with their respective terms.
        (2) Evidence tax exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service.
        (3) Brief written narrative which includes items such as:
        (i) The proposed service(s) to be provided, including the benefits 
    of the technical assistance and/or training.
        (ii) Area to be served.
        (iii) Name of association(s) or type of association(s) that will be 
    served.
        (iv) Median household income of the population to be served by each 
    association(s).
        (v) Grantee's experience, including experience of key staff members 
    and person(s) providing the technical assistance and/or training.
        (vi) The number of months duration of the project or service and 
    the estimated time it will take from grant approval to beginning of 
    service.
        (vii) Method used to select the association(s) that will receive 
    the service.
        (viii) Brief description of how the service will be provided, such 
    as, through currently employed personnel or some other method.
        (ix) Method to be used for delivery of the service, including 
    personnel to be utilized and tasks to be contracted, if any.
        (4) Latest financial information to show the organization's 
    financial capacity to carry out the proposed work. As a minimum, the 
    information should include a balance sheet and an income statement. A 
    current audit report is preferred.
        (5) Estimated breakdown of costs including those to be funded by 
    grantee as well as other sources.
        (6) Budget and accounting system in place or proposed.
        (7) Evaluation method to determine if objective(s) of the proposed 
    activity is being accomplished.
        (c) Upon receipt of a preapplication, the National Office will:
        (1) Review and evaluate the preapplication and accompanying 
    documents;
        (2) Request from the Office of General Counsel (OGC), a legal 
    determination of applicant's legal existence and authority to provide 
    technical assistance and/or training. The legal opinion will be 
    obtained from the Regional Attorney servicing the area where the 
    applicant's headquarters is located; and
        (3) Normally, respond to the applicant within 45 days after 
    December 31 of each year using Form AD-622, ``Notice of Preapplication 
    Review Action,'' indicating the action taken on the preapplication.
        (d) Applicants whose preapplications are found to be ineligible 
    will be given notice by use of Form AD-622 and advised of their appeal 
    rights under subpart B of part 1900 of this title.
        (e) Applicants who are eligible, but do not have the priority 
    necessary for further consideration will be notified with Form AD-622, 
    which includes the following statements:
    
        ``Your proposal cannot be funded within the available funds.''
        ``You are advised against incurring obligations which cannot be 
    fulfilled without Agency funds.''
    
        (f) Applicants that are eligible for funding within the available 
    funds will be provided forms and instructions for filing a complete 
    application. Applicants should be advised against incurring obligations 
    which cannot be fulfilled without Agency funds.
        (g) Applicants who have filed preapplications for solid waste 
    management grant funds that cannot be funded within the available funds 
    will be notified, using Form AD-622, that their preapplication will not 
    be retained. They will also be notified that they may file a new 
    preapplication when funds again become available using the following 
    statement:
    
        ``If the Agency receives funding for the program in FY __, you 
    may file a new preapplication on or after October 1, 19__.''
    
    
    Sec. 1775.14  Priority.
    
        (a) The preapplication and supporting information will be used to 
    determine the applicant's priority for available funds for the 
    Technical Assistance and Training Grant program. The following specific 
    criteria will be considered in the competitive selection of Technical 
    Assistance and Training Grant recipients:
        (1) Applicant's demonstrated capability and past performance in 
    providing technical assistance and/or training to rural associations.
        (2) The extent to which the population of the associations served 
    have low income.
        (3) Applicant's financial and if applicable, in-kind resource that 
    will maximize use of technical assistance and/or training funds for 
    direct staffing of activities that are delivered to the associations.
        (4) The extent to which the project will be cost effective, 
    including but not limited to the ratio of proposed personnel to the 
    cost of the project, the cost per associations served by the project, 
    and the expected benefits from the project.
        (5) How well the proposal coincides with the objectives of the 
    Agency's Water and Waste Disposal program authorized in part 1780 of 
    this chapter.
        (6) Applicants proposing to serve multi-state, regional, or 
    nationwide areas.
        (7) Applicants whose timeframe for completion of the technical 
    assistance and/or training grant project is 12 months or less.
        (b) Preapplications received from local governmental-based, multi-
    
    [[Page 33472]]
    
     jurisdictional organizations for the SWM grant program will be given 
    priority within the available funds.
    
    
    Sec. 1775.15  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 1775.16  Application processing.
    
        (a) Upon notification on Form AD-622 that the applicant is eligible 
    for funding, the following will be submitted to the National Office by 
    the applicant:
        (1) SF-424.1.
        (2) Proposed scope of work detailing the training and/or technical 
    assistance to be accomplished and timeframes for completion of each 
    task.
        (3) Proposed budget.
        (4) Other requested information needed by the Agency to make a 
    grant award determination.
        (b) The following forms and documents will be part of the grant 
    docket:
        (1) Form RD 400-1, ``Equal Opportunity Agreement.''
        (2) Form RD 400-4, ``Assurance Agreement.''
        (3) Grant Agreement signed by the applicant.
        (4) Scope of work prepared by the applicant.
        (5) Form RD 1940-1, ``Request for Obligation of Funds.''
        (c) If the applicant fails to submit the application and related 
    material by the date shown on Form AD-622 (normally 30 days from the 
    date of Form AD-622), the Agency may discontinue consideration of the 
    application.
    
    
    Sec. 1775.17  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 1775.18  Grant approval and obligation of funds.
    
        (a) The National Office will review the application and other 
    documents to determine whether the proposal complies with this part.
        (b) All grants made under this part will be approved and obligated 
    by the Agency Administrator or designee.
        (c) The obligation of funds will be handled in accordance with part 
    1780 of this chapter.
        (d) An executed copy of the Grant Agreement and scope of work will 
    be sent to the applicant on the obligation date, along with a copy of 
    Form RD 1940-1. The Agency will retain the executed original of the 
    Grant Agreement. The grant will be considered closed on the obligation 
    date.
        (e) If the grant is not approved, the applicant will be notified in 
    writing of the reason(s) for rejection. The notification to the 
    applicant will state that a review of this decision by the Agency may 
    be requested by the applicant under subpart B of part 1900 of this 
    title.
    
    
    Sec. 1775.19  Fidelity bond.
    
        Prior to the advancing of funds, the grantee will provide fidelity 
    bond coverage for the positions of persons entrusted with the receipt 
    and disbursement of its funds and the custody of valuable property. The 
    amount of the bond will be at least equal to the maximum amount of 
    monies that the grantee will have on hand at any one time for technical 
    assistance and/or training provided in accordance with the Grant 
    Agreement. Unless prohibited by State Law, the United States, acting 
    through the Agency, will be named as co-obligee in the bond. The bond 
    must be obtained from a company listed in Department of Treasury 
    Circular 570, as amended. Form RD 440-24, ``Position Fidelity Schedule 
    Bond Declarations,'' may be used. A certified power-of-attorney with 
    effective date will be attached to the bond.
    
    
    Secs. 1775.20-1775.21  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 1775.22  Fund disbursement.
    
        Grantees will be reimbursed as follows:
        (a) Standard Form (SF) 270, ``Request for Advance or 
    Reimbursement,'' will be completed by the applicant and submitted to 
    the National Office not more frequently than monthly.
        (b) Upon receipt of a properly completed SF 270, the funds will be 
    requested through the field office terminal system. Ordinarily, payment 
    will be made within 30 days after receipt of a proper request for 
    reimbursement.
        (c) Grantees are encouraged to use minority banks (a bank which is 
    owned by at least 50 percent minority group members) for the deposit 
    and disbursement of funds. A list of minority owned banks can be 
    obtained from the Office of Minority Business Enterprise, Department of 
    Commerce, Washington, DC 20230.
    
    
    Sec. 1775.23  Grant cancellation or major changes.
    
        If it is determined that a project will not be funded or if major 
    changes in the scope of the project are made after release of the 
    approval announcement, the Administrator will notify the Director of 
    Legislative Affairs and Public Information Staff (LAPIS) giving the 
    reasons for such action. In the case of a grant cancellation, Form RD 
    1940-10, ``Cancellation of U.S. Treasury Check and/or Obligation,'' 
    will not be submitted to the Finance Office until 5 working days after 
    notifying the Director of LAPIS, and grant obligation cancellations 
    will not be submitted to the National Office until 5 working days after 
    notifying the Director of LAPIS.
    
    
    Sec. 1775.24  Reporting.
    
        Standard Form (SF) 269, ``Financial Status Report,'' SF 272, 
    ``Federal Cash Transactions Report,'' and a project performance 
    activity report will be required of all grantees on a quarterly basis. 
    A final project performance report will be required with the last SF 
    269. The final report may serve as the last quarterly report. Grantees 
    shall constantly monitor performance to ensure that time schedules are 
    being met, projected work by time periods is being accomplished, and 
    other performance objectives are being achieved. All multi-state, 
    regional, and nationwide grantees are to submit an original of each 
    report to the National Office. Grantees serving only one State are to 
    submit an original of each report to the State Program Official. The 
    State Program Official will review and forward to the National Office 
    the report with comments. The project performance reports shall 
    include, but not be limited to, the following:
        (a) A comparison of actual accomplishments to the objectives 
    established for that period;
        (b) Reasons why established objectives were not met;
        (c) Problems, delays, or adverse conditions which will affect 
    attainment of overall project objectives, prevent meeting time 
    schedules or objectives, or preclude the attainment of particular 
    project work elements during established time periods. This disclosure 
    shall be accompanied by a statement of the action taken or planned to 
    resolve the situation; and
        (d) Objectives and timetable established for the next reporting 
    period.
    
    
    Sec. 1775.25  Audit.
    
        The grantee will provide an audit report prepared in accordance 
    with Sec. 1780.47 of this chapter within 90 days after project 
    completion.
    
    
    Sec. 1775.26  Grant Agreement.
    
        RUS Bulletin 1775-1 is a Grant Agreement which sets forth the 
    procedures for making and servicing grants made under this part. 
    Bulletins, instructions and forms referenced are for use in 
    administering grants made under this part and are available from any 
    USDA/Rural Development office or the Rural Utilities Service, United 
    States Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250-1500.
    
    
    Sec. 1775.27  Grant servicing.
    
        Grants will be serviced in accordance with the grant agreement and 
    subpart E
    
    [[Page 33473]]
    
    of part 1951 of this title. Subpart B of part 1900 of this title will 
    be followed when grants are terminated for cause.
    
    
    Sec. 1775.28  Delegation of authority.
    
        The authority under this part is redelegated to the Assistant 
    Administrator, Water and Waste, except for the discretionary authority 
    contained in Sec. 1775.5. The Assistant Administrator, Water and Waste 
    may redelegate the authority in this section.
    
    
    Secs. 1775.29-1775.99  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 1775.100  OMB control number.
    
        The collection of information requirements contained in this part 
    have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget and have been 
    assigned OMB control number 0575-0123. Public reporting for this 
    collection of information is estimated to vary from 15 minutes to 4 
    hours per response, with an average of 1 hour per response including 
    time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, 
    gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing 
    the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden 
    estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, 
    including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Department of 
    Agriculture, Clearance Officer, OIRM, Room 404-W, Washington, DC 20250; 
    and to the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project 
    (OMB 0575-0123), Washington, DC 20503.
    
    Part 4284, Subpart E  [Redesignated as Part 1777 and Revised]
    
        2. Subpart E of 7 CFR part 4284 is redesignated as 7 CFR part 1777 
    and is revised to read as follows:
    
    PART 1777--SECTION 306C WWD LOANS AND GRANTS
    
    Sec.
    1777.1  General.
    1777.2  [Reserved]
    1777.3  Objective.
    1777.4  Definitions.
    1777.5-1777.10  [Reserved]
    1777.11  Making, processing, and servicing loans and grants.
    1777.12  Eligibility.
    1777.13  Project priority.
    1777.14-1777.20  [Reserved]
    1777.21  Use of funds.
    1777.22-1777.30  [Reserved]
    1777.31  Rates.
    1777.32-1777.40  [Reserved]
    1777.41  Individual loans and grants.
    1777.42  Delegation of authority.
    1777.43  Bulletins.
    1777.44-1777.99  [Reserved]
    1777.100  OMB control number.
    
        Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 7 U.S.C. 1989; 16 U.S.C. 1005.
    
    
    Sec. 1777.1  General.
    
        (a) This part outlines Rural Utilities Service (RUS) policies and 
    procedures for making Water and Waste Disposal (WWD) loans and grants 
    authorized under section 306C of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
    Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(c)), as amended.
        (b) Agency officials will maintain liaison with officials of other 
    Federal, State, regional, and local development agencies to coordinate 
    related programs to achieve rural development objectives.
        (c) Agency officials shall cooperate with appropriate State 
    agencies in making loans and/or grants that support State strategies 
    for rural area development.
        (d) Funds allocated in accordance with this part will be considered 
    for use by Indian tribes within the State regardless of whether State 
    development strategies include Indian reservations within the State's 
    boundaries. Indians residing on such reservations must have an equal 
    opportunity to participate in this program.
        (e) Federal statutes provide for extending the Agency's financial 
    programs without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, 
    marital status, age, or physical/mental handicap (provided the 
    participant possesses the capacity to enter into legal contracts).
    
    
    Sec. 1777.2  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 1777.3  Objective.
    
        The objective of the Section 306C WWD Loans and Grants program is 
    to provide water and waste disposal facilities and services to low-
    income rural communities whose residents face significant health risks.
    
    
    Sec. 1777.4  Definitions.
    
        Applicant. Entity that receives the Agency loan or grant under this 
    part. The entities can be public bodies such as municipalities, 
    counties, districts, authorities, or other political subdivisions of a 
    State, and organizations operated on a not-for-profit basis such as 
    associations, cooperatives, private corporations, or Indian tribes on 
    Federal and State reservations, and other Federally recognized Indian 
    tribes.
        Colonia. Any identifiable community designated in writing by the 
    State or county in which it is located; determined to be a colonia on 
    the basis of objective criteria including lack of potable water supply, 
    lack of adequate sewage systems, and lack of decent, safe, and sanitary 
    housing, inadequate roads and drainage; and existed and was generally 
    recognized as a colonia before October 1, 1989.
        Cooperative. A cooperative formed specifically for the purpose of 
    the installation, expansion, improvement, or operation of water supply 
    or waste disposal facilities or systems.
        Individual. Recipient of a loan or grant through the applicant to 
    facilitate use of the applicant's water and/or waste disposal system.
        Rural areas. Includes unincorporated areas and any city or town 
    with a population not in excess of 10,000 inhabitants according to the 
    most recent decennial census of the United States. They can be located 
    in any of the 50 States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Western 
    Pacific Territories, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, 
    Republic of Palau, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
    
    
    Secs. 1777.5-1777.10  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 1777.11  Making, processing, and servicing loans and grants.
    
        Unless specifically modified by this part, loans and/or grants will 
    be made, processed, and serviced in accordance with part 1780 of this 
    chapter.
    
    
    Sec. 1777.12  Eligibility.
    
        (a) The provisions of paragraphs (a) (1) and (2) of this section do 
    not apply to a rural area recognized as a colonia. Otherwise, the 
    facility financed under this part must provide water and/or waste 
    disposal services to rural areas of a county where, on the date 
    preapplication is received by the Agency, the:
        (1) Per capita income of the residents is not more than 70 percent 
    of the most recent national average per capita income, as determined by 
    the Department of Commerce; and
        (2) Unemployment rate of the residents is not less than 125 percent 
    of the most recent national average unemployment rate, as determined by 
    the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
        (b) Residents of the rural area to be served must face significant 
    health risks due to the fact that a significant proportion of the 
    community's residents do not have access to, or are not served by, 
    adequate, affordable, water and/or waste disposal systems. The file 
    should contain documentation to support this determination.
    
    
    Sec. 1777.13  Project priority.
    
        Paragraphs (a) through (d) of this section indicate items and 
    conditions which must be considered in selecting preapplications for 
    further development. When ranking eligible preapplications for 
    consideration for limited funds, Agency officials must consider the 
    priority items met by each
    
    [[Page 33474]]
    
    preapplication and the degree to which those priorities are met.
        (a) Preapplications. The preapplication and supporting information 
    submitted with it will be used to determine applicant eligibility and 
    the proposed project's priority for available funds. Applicants 
    determined ineligible will be advised of their appeal rights in 
    accordance with 7 CFR part 11.
        (b) State Office review. All preapplications will be reviewed and 
    scored for funding priority at each State Office using RUS Bulletin 
    1777-2. Funds will be requested from the National Office, Attention: 
    Water and Waste Processing, using RUS Bulletin 1777-3. Eligible 
    applicants that cannot be funded should be advised that funds are not 
    available and advised of their appeal rights as set forth in 7 CFR part 
    11.
        (c) National Office. The National Office will allocate funds on a 
    project-by-project basis as requests are received. If the amount of 
    funds requested exceeds the amount of funds available, the total 
    project score will be used to select projects for funding. The RUS 
    Administrator may assign up to 35 additional points that will be 
    considered in the total points for items such as geographic 
    distribution of funds, severity of health risks, etc.
        (d) Selection priorities. The priorities described below will be 
    used to rate preapplications and in selecting projects for funding. 
    Points will be distributed as indicated in paragraphs (d)(1) through 
    (d)(5) of this section and will be used in selecting projects for 
    funding. A copy of RUS Bulletin 1777-2, used to rate applications, 
    should be placed in the case file for future reference.
        (1) Population. The proposed project will serve an area with a 
    rural population:
        (i) Not in excess of 1,500--30 points.
        (ii) More than 1,500 and not in excess of 3,000--20 points.
        (iii) More than 3,000 and not in excess of 5,500--10 points.
        (2) Income. The median household income of population to be served 
    by the proposed project is:
        (i) Not in excess of 50 percent of the statewide nonmetropolitan 
    median household income--40 points.
        (ii) More than 50 percent and not in excess of 60 percent of the 
    statewide nonmetropolitan median household income--20 points.
        (iii) More than 60 percent and not in excess of 70 percent of the 
    statewide nonmetropolitan median household income--10 points.
        (3) Joint financing. The amount of joint financing committed to the 
    proposed project is:
        (i) Twenty percent or more private, local, or State funds except 
    Federal funds channeled through a State agency--10 points.
        (ii) Five to 19 percent private, local, or State funds except 
    Federal funds channeled through a State agency--5 points.
        (4) Colonia. (See definition in Sec. 1777.4). The proposed project 
    will provide water and/or waste disposal services to the residents of a 
    colonia--50 points.
        (5) Discretionary. In certain cases, the State Program Official may 
    assign up to 15 points for items such as natural disaster, to improve 
    compatibility/coordination between the Agency's and other agencies' 
    selection systems, to assist those projects that are the most cost 
    effective, high unemployment rate, severity of health risks, etc. A 
    written justification must be prepared and attached to RUS Bulletin 
    1777-2 each time these points are assigned.
    
    
    Secs. 1777.14-1777.20  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 1777.21  Use of funds.
    
        (a) Applicant. Funds may be used to:
        (1) Construct, enlarge, extend, or otherwise improve community 
    water and/or waste disposal systems. Otherwise improve would include 
    extending service lines to and/or connecting residence's plumbing to 
    the system.
        (2) Make loans and grants to individuals for extending service 
    lines to and/or connecting residences to the applicant's system. The 
    approval official must determine that this is a practical and 
    economical method of connecting individuals to the community water and/
    or waste disposal system. Loan funds can only be used for loans, and 
    grant funds can only be used for grants.
        (3) Make improvements to individual's residence when needed to 
    allow use of the water and/or waste disposal system.
        (4) Grants can be made up to 100 percent of eligible project costs.
        (b) Individuals. Funds may be used to:
        (1) Extend service lines to residence.
        (2) Connect service lines to residence's plumbing.
        (3) Pay reasonable charges or fees for connecting to a community 
    water and/or waste disposal system.
        (4) Pay for necessary installation of plumbing and related fixtures 
    within dwellings lacking such facilities. This is limited to one 
    bathtub, sink, commode, kitchen sink, water heater, and outside spigot.
        (5) Construction and/or partitioning off a portion of dwelling for 
    a bathroom, not to exceed 4.6 square meters (48 square feet) in size.
        (6) Pay reasonable costs for closing abandoned septic tanks and 
    water wells when necessary to protect the health and safety of 
    recipients of a grant in paragraphs (b)(1) or (b)(2) of this section 
    and is required by local or State law.
    
    
    Secs. 1777.22-1777.30  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 1777.31  Rates.
    
        (a) Applicant loans will bear interest at the rate of 5 percent per 
    annum.
        (b) Individual loans will bear interest at the rate of:
        (1) Five percent per annum; or
        (2) The Federal Financing Bank rate for loans of a similar term at 
    the time of Agency loan approval, whichever is less.
    
    
    Secs. 1777.32-1777.40  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 1777.41  Individual loans and grants.
    
        (a) The amount of loan and grant funds approved by the Agency will 
    be based on the need shown in the application and an implementation 
    plan submitted by the applicant. The implementation plan will include 
    such things as: purpose, how funds will be used, proposed application 
    process, construction requirements, control and disbursement of funds, 
    etc. The implementation plan will be attached to RUS Bulletin 1777-1.
        (b) RUS Bulletin 1777-1 is a Memorandum of Agreement which sets 
    forth the procedures and regulations for making and servicing loans and 
    grants made by applicants to individuals. The State Program Official is 
    authorized to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement with any applicant 
    providing loans and/or grants to individuals. The Memorandum of 
    Agreement can be amended to comply with State law and recommendations 
    by the Office of General Counsel. It may also be amended to eliminate 
    references to loans and/or grants if no loan and/or grant is involved. 
    The State Program Official is responsible for:
        (1) Ensuring that all provisions of the Agreement are understood.
        (2) Determining that the applicant has the ability to make and 
    service loans and/or grants in the manner outlined in the Agreement.
        (c) Agency funds remaining after providing individual loans and/or 
    grants will be returned to the Agency. The funds should be disbursed to 
    individuals within 1 year from the date water and/or waste disposal 
    service is available to the individuals. The State Program Official can 
    make an exception to this 1 year requirement if written justification 
    is provided by the applicant.
    
    [[Page 33475]]
    
    Sec. 1777.42  Delegation of authority.
    
        The State Program Official is responsible for the overall 
    implementation of the authorities contained in this part and may 
    redelegate any such authority to appropriate Agency employees.
    
    
    Sec. 1777.43  Bulletins.
    
        RUS Bulletin 1780-12 referenced in part 1780 of this chapter and 
    RUS Bulletin 1777-1, 1777-2 and 1777-3 are for use in administering 
    loans and/or grants made under this part. Bulletins, instructions and 
    forms are available from any USDA/Rural Development office or the Rural 
    Utilities Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, 
    DC 20250-1500.
    
    
    Secs. 1777.44-1777.99  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 1777.100  OMB control number.
    
        The reporting and recordkeeping requirements contained in this part 
    have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget and assigned 
    OMB control number 0570-0001. Public reporting burden for this 
    collection of information is estimated to vary from 5 to 30 hours per 
    response with an average of 17.5 hours per response, including the time 
    for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering 
    and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the 
    collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate 
    or any other aspect of this collection of information, including 
    suggestions for reducing this burden, to U.S. Department of 
    Agriculture, Clearance Officer, OIRM, Room 404-W, Washington, DC 20250; 
    and to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of 
    Management and Budget, Washington, DC 20503.
    
    Part 1942, Subpart K  [Redesignated as Part 1778 and Revised]
    
        3. Subpart K of 7 CFR part 1942 is redesignated as 7 CFR part 1778 
    and is revised to read as follows:
    
    PART 1778--EMERGENCY COMMUNITY WATER ASSISTANCE GRANTS
    
    Sec.
    1778.1  General.
    1778.2  [Reserved]
    1778.3  Objective.
    1778.4  Definitions.
    1778.5  [Reserved]
    1778.6  Eligibility.
    1778.7  Project priority.
    1778.8  [Reserved]
    1778.9  Uses.
    1778.10  Restrictions.
    1778.11  Maximum grants.
    1778.12  [Reserved]
    1778.13  Set-aside.
    1778.14  Other considerations.
    1778.15-1778.20  [Reserved]
    1778.21  Application processing.
    1778.22  Planning development and procurement.
    1778.23  Grant closing and disbursement of funds.
    1778.24-1778.30  [Reserved].
    1778.31  Performing development.
    1778.32  Grant cancellation.
    1778.33  [Reserved]
    1778.34  Grant servicing.
    1778.35  Subsequent grants.
    1778.36  [Reserved]
    1778.37  Forms, Instructions and Bulletins.
    1778.38-1778.99  [Reserved]
    1778.100  OMB control number.
    
        Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 7 U.S.C. 1989; 16 U.S.C. 1005.
    
    
    Sec. 1778.1  General.
    
        (a) This part outlines policies and procedures for making Emergency 
    Community Water Assistance Grants authorized under Section 306A of the 
    Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)), as 
    amended. Any processing or servicing activity conducted pursuant to 
    this part involving authorized assistance to Agency employees, members 
    of their families, known close relatives, or business or close personal 
    associates, is subject to the provisions of subpart D of part 1900 of 
    this title. Applicants for this assistance are required to identify any 
    known relationship or association with an Agency employee.
        (b) Agency officials will maintain liaison with officials of other 
    Federal, State, regional and local development agencies to coordinate 
    related programs to achieve rural development objectives.
        (c) Agency officials shall cooperate with appropriate State 
    agencies in making grants that support State strategies for rural area 
    development.
        (d) Funds allocated for use in accordance with this part are also 
    to be considered for use by Indian tribes within the State regardless 
    of whether State development strategies include Indian reservations 
    within the State's boundaries. Indians residing on such reservations 
    must have an equal opportunity along with other rural residents to 
    participate in the benefits of this program. This includes equal 
    application of outreach activities of Field Offices.
        (e) Federal statutes provide for extending the Agency financial 
    programs without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, 
    marital status, age, or physical/mental handicap (provided the 
    participant possesses the capacity to enter into legal contracts).
    
    
    Sec. 1778.2  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 1778.3  Objective.
    
        The objective of the Emergency Community Water Assistance Grant 
    Program is to assist the residents of rural areas that have experienced 
    a significant decline in quantity or quality of water to obtain 
    adequate quantities of water that meet the standards set by the Safe 
    Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300f et seq.) (SDWA).
    
    
    Sec. 1778.4  Definitions.
    
        Emergency. Occurrence of an incident such as, but not limited to, a 
    drought, earthquake, flood, hurricane, disease outbreak, or chemical 
    spill.
        Rural areas. Includes any area in any city or town with a 
    population not in excess of 10,000 inhabitants according to the most 
    recent decennial census of the United States, located in any of the 
    fifty States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Western Pacific 
    Territories, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic 
    of Palau, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
        Significant decline in quality. A significant decline in quality of 
    potable water is where the present community source or delivery system 
    does not meet, as a result of an emergency, the current SDWA 
    requirements. For a private source or delivery system a significant 
    decline in quality is where the water is no longer potable as a result 
    of an emergency.
        Significant decline in quantity. A significant decline in the 
    quantity is caused by a disruption of the potable water supply by an 
    emergency. The disruption in quantity of water prevents the present 
    source or delivery system from supplying potable water needs to rural 
    residents. This would not include a decline in excess water capacity.
    
    
    Sec. 1778.5  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 1778.6  Eligibility.
    
        (a) Grants may be made to public bodies and private nonprofit 
    corporations serving rural areas. Public bodies include counties, 
    cities, townships, incorporated towns and villages, boroughs, 
    authorities, districts, and other political subdivisions of a State. 
    Public bodies also includes Indian tribes on Federal and State 
    reservations and other Federally recognized Indian Tribal groups in 
    rural areas.
        (b) In the case of grants made to alleviate a significant decline 
    in quantity or quality of water available from the water supplies of 
    rural residents, the applicant must demonstrate that the decline 
    occurred within two years of the date the application was filed with 
    the Agency.
    
    [[Page 33476]]
    
    This would not apply to grants made for repairs, partial replacement, 
    or significant maintenance on an established water system.
    
    
    Sec. 1778.7  Project priority.
    
        Paragraphs (a) through (d) of this section indicate items and 
    conditions which must be considered in selecting applications for 
    further development. When ranking eligible applications for 
    consideration for limited funds, Agency officials must consider the 
    priority items met by each application and the degree to which those 
    priorities are met.
        (a) Applications. The application and supporting information 
    submitted with it will be used to determine the proposed project's 
    priority for available funds.
        (b) State Office review. All applications will be reviewed and 
    scored for funding priority using RUS Bulletin 1778-1. The State 
    Program Official will request funds from the National Office, 
    Attention: Assistant Administrator, Water and Waste, using RUS 
    Bulletins 1778-1 and 1778-2. If an application cannot be funded, the 
    State Program Official will be notified. Eligible applicants that 
    cannot be funded should be advised that funds are not available.
        (c) National Office review. Each year all funding requests will be 
    reviewed by the National Office starting November 1 and will continue 
    as long as funds are available except for the first year in which funds 
    are made available for this grant program. A review of funding requests 
    the first year will start 30 days after funds are made available. 
    Projects selected for funding will be considered based on the priority 
    criteria and available funds. Projects must compete on a national basis 
    for available funds, and the National Office will allocate funds to 
    State offices on a project by project basis.
        (d) Selection priorities. The priorities described below will be 
    used by the State Program Official to rate applications and by the 
    Assistant Administrator of Water and Waste to select projects for 
    funding. Points will be distributed as indicated in paragraphs (d)(1) 
    through (d)(5) of this section and will be considered in selecting 
    projects for funding. A copy of RUS Bulletins 1778-1 and 1778-2 used to 
    rate applications, should be placed in the case file for future 
    reference.
        (1) Population. The proposed project will serve an area with a 
    rural population:
        (i) Not in excess of 1,500--30 points.
        (ii) More than 1,500 and not in excess of 3,000--20 points.
        (iii) More than 3,000 and not in excess of 5,000--15 points.
        (2) Income. The median household income of population to be served 
    by the proposed project is:
        (i) Not in excess of 70% of the statewide nonmetropolitan median 
    household income--30 points.
        (ii) More than 70% and not in excess of 80% of the statewide 
    nonmetropolitan median household income--20 points.
        (iii) More than 80% and not in excess of 90% of the statewide 
    nonmetropolitan median household income--10 points.
        (iv) Over 90% of the statewide nonmetropolitan median household 
    income--0 points.
        (3) Significant decline. Points will only be assigned for one of 
    the following paragraphs when the primary purpose of the proposed 
    project is to correct a significant decline in the:
        (i) Quantity of water available from private individually owned 
    wells or other individual sources of water--30 points; or
        (ii) Quantity of water available from an established system's 
    source of water--20 points; or
        (iii) Quality of water available from private individually owned 
    wells or other individual sources of water--30 points; or
        (iv) Quality of water available from an established system's source 
    of water--20 points.
        (4) Acute shortage. Grants made in accordance with Sec. 1778.11(b) 
    to assist an established water system remedy an acute shortage of 
    quality water or correct a significant decline in the quantity or 
    quality of water that is available--10 points.
        (5) Discretionary. In certain cases the Administrator may assign up 
    to 30 points for items such as geographic distribution of funds, rural 
    residents hauling water, severe contamination levels, etc.
    
    
    Sec. 1778.8  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 1778.9  Uses.
    
        Grant funds may be used for the following purposes:
        (a) Waterline extensions from existing systems.
        (b) Construction of new waterlines.
        (c) Repairs to an existing system.
        (d) Significant maintenance to an existing system.
        (e) Construction of new wells, reservoirs, transmission lines, 
    treatment plants, and other sources of water.
        (f) Equipment replacement.
        (g) Connection and/or tap fees.
        (h) Pay costs that were incurred within six months of the date an 
    application was filed with the Agency to correct an emergency situation 
    that would have been eligible for funding under this part.
        (i) Any other appropriate purpose such as legal fees, engineering 
    fees, recording costs, environmental impact analyses, archaeological 
    surveys, possible salvage or other mitigation measures, planning, 
    establishing or acquiring rights associated with developing sources of, 
    treating, storing, or distributing water.
        (j) Assist rural water systems to comply with the requirements of 
    the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.) 
    (FWPCA) or the SDWA when such failure to comply is directly related to 
    a recent decline in quality of potable water. This would not apply to 
    changes in the requirements of FWPCA or SDWA.
    
    
    Sec. 1778.10  Restrictions.
    
        (a) Grant funds may not be used to:
        (1) Assist any city or town with a population in excess of 10,000 
    inhabitants according to the most recent decennial census of the United 
    States.
        (2) Assist a rural area that has a median household income in 
    excess of the statewide nonmetropolitan median household income 
    according to the most recent decennial census of the United States.
        (3) Finance facilities which are not modest in size, design, cost, 
    and are not directly related to correcting the potable water quantity 
    or quality problem.
        (4) Pay loan or grant finder's fees.
        (5) Pay any annual recurring costs that are considered to be 
    operational expenses.
        (6) Pay rental for the use of equipment or machinery owned by the 
    rural community.
        (7) Purchase existing systems.
        (8) Refinance existing indebtedness, except for short-term debt 
    incurred in accordance with Sec. 1778.9(h).
        (9) Make reimbursement for projects developed with other grant 
    funds.
        (10) Finance facilities that are not for public use.
        (b) Nothing in paragraph (a)(1) of this section shall preclude 
    rural areas from submitting joint proposals for assistance under this 
    part. Each entity applying for financial assistance under this part to 
    fund their share of a joint project will be considered individually.
    
    
    Sec. 1778.11  Maximum grants.
    
        (a) Grants made to alleviate a significant decline in quantity or 
    quality of water available from the water supplies in rural areas that 
    occurred within two years of filing an application with the Agency 
    cannot exceed $500,000.
    
    [[Page 33477]]
    
        (b) Grants made for repairs, partial replacement, or significant 
    maintenance on an established system to remedy an acute shortage or 
    significant decline in the quality or quantity of potable water cannot 
    exceed $75,000.
        (c) Grants under this part, subject to paragraphs (a) and (b) of 
    this section, shall be made for 100 percent of eligible project costs.
    
    
    Sec. 1778.12  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 1778.13  Set-aside.
    
        (a) At least 70 percent of all grants made under these grant 
    programs shall be for projects funded in accordance with 
    Sec. 1778.11(a).
        (b) At least 50 percent of the funds appropriated for this grant 
    program shall be allocated to rural areas with populations not in 
    excess of 3,000 inhabitants according to the most recent decennial 
    census of the United States.
    
    
    Sec. 1778.14  Other considerations.
    
        (a) Civil rights compliance requirements. All grants made under 
    this part are subject to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 
    U.S.C. 2000d et seq.), as outlined in subpart E of part 1901 of this 
    title.
        (b) Environmental requirements. All projects must have appropriate 
    environmental reviews in accordance with RUS requirements.
        (c) Uniform Relocation and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act 
    (42 U.S.C. 4601 et seq.). All projects must comply with the 
    requirements set forth in 7 CFR part 21.
        (d) Flood and mudslide hazard area precautions. If the project is 
    located in a flood or mudslide area, then flood or mudslide insurance 
    must be provided as required in subpart A of part 1806 of this title 
    (RD Instruction 426.2).
        (e) Governmentwide debarment and suspension (nonprocurement) and 
    requirements for drug-free work place. All projects must comply with 
    the requirements set forth in the U.S. Department of Agriculture 
    regulations 7 CFR part 3017 and RD Instruction 1940-M.
        (f) Intergovernmental review. All projects funded under this part 
    are subject to Executive Order 12372 (3 CFR, 1983 Comp., p. 197), which 
    requires intergovernmental consultation with State and local officials. 
    These requirements are set forth in U.S. Department of Agriculture 
    regulations 7 CFR part 3015, subpart V, and RD Instruction 1940-J.
    
    
    Secs. 1778.15-1778.20  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 1778.21  Application processing.
    
        (a) To the extent possible, an application under this part will be 
    approved or disapproved within 60 days of the date that a complete 
    application and all related material is submitted to the Agency.
        (b) The material submitted with the application should include the 
    Preliminary Engineer Report, population and median household income of 
    the area to be served, description of project, and nature of emergency 
    that caused the problem(s) being addressed by the project. The 
    documentation must clearly show that the applicant has had a 
    significant decline in the quantity and/or quality of potable water or 
    an acute shortage of potable water and the proposed project will 
    eliminate the problem. For projects to be funded in accordance with 
    Sec. 1778.11(a), evidence must be furnished that a significant decline 
    in quantity or quality occurred within two years of filing the 
    application with the Agency.
        (c) The processing office should assist the applicant in 
    application assembly and processing.
        (d) Appropriate application review and approval procedures outlined 
    in subpart B of part 1780 of this chapter.
        (e) Each application for assistance will be carefully reviewed in 
    accordance with the priorities established in Sec. 1778.7. A priority 
    rating will be assigned to each application by the State Program 
    Official.
        (f) When the National Office has allocated funds to the State for a 
    project, applicable provisions outlined in subpart B of part 1780 of 
    this chapter will be followed in preparation of the grant docket. This 
    would include development of an operating budget showing that the 
    applicant can meet all its obligations and provide the intended 
    services.
        (g) When favorable action will not be taken on an application, the 
    applicant will be notified in writing by the State Program Official of 
    the reasons why the request was not favorably considered. Notification 
    to the applicant will state that a review of this decision by the 
    Agency may be requested by the applicant in accordance with 7 CFR part 
    11.
        (h) State Program Officials are authorized to approve grants made 
    in accordance with this part and RUS Staff Instruction 1780-1.
        (i) Funds will be obligated and approval announcement made in 
    accordance with the provisions of subpart B of part 1780 of this 
    chapter.
    
    
    Sec. 1778.22  Planning development and procurement.
    
        Planning development and procurement for grants made under this 
    part will be in accordance with subpart C of part 1780 of this chapter. 
    A certification should be obtained from the State agency or the 
    Environmental Protection Agency if the State does not have primacy, 
    stating that the proposed improvements will be in compliance with 
    requirements of the SDWA.
    
    
    Sec. 1778.23  Grant closing and disbursement of funds.
    
        (a) Grants will be closed in accordance with Sec. 1780.45 of this 
    chapter.
        (b) RUS Bulletin 1780-12, ``Water or Waste Grant Agreement,'' will 
    be executed by all applicants. State Program Officials are authorized 
    to execute the agreement on behalf of the Agency.
        (c) The grant will be considered closed on the date RUS Bulletin 
    1780-12 is signed by the Agency. The Finance Office will be notified of 
    the grant closing date. The Agency will retain the original of the 
    Grant Agreement.
        (d) The Agency's policy is not to disburse grant funds from the 
    Treasury until they are actually needed by the applicant. Grant funds 
    will be disbursed by using multiple advances.
    
    
    Secs. 1778.24-1778.30  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 1778.31  Performing development.
    
        (a) Applicable provisions of subpart C of part 1780 of this chapter 
    will be followed in performing development for grants made under this 
    part.
        (b) After filing an application in accordance with Sec. 1778.21 and 
    when immediate action is necessary, the State Program Official may 
    concur in an applicant's request to proceed with construction before 
    funds are obligated provided the RUS environmental requirements are 
    complied with. The applicant must be advised in writing that:
        (1) Any authorization to proceed or any concurrence in bid awards, 
    contract concurrence, or other project development activity, is not a 
    commitment by the Agency to provide grant funds under this part.
        (2) The Agency is not liable for any debt incurred by the applicant 
    in the event that funds are not provided under this part.
    
    
    Sec. 1778.32  Grant cancellation.
    
        The State Program Official may prepare and execute Form RD 1940-10, 
    ``Cancellation of U.S. Treasury Check and/or Obligation,'' in 
    accordance with the Forms Manual Insert. If the docket has been 
    forwarded to OGC, that office should receive a copy of Form RD 1940-10. 
    The applicant's attorney and engineer may be provided a copy of
    
    [[Page 33478]]
    
    Form RD 1940-10. A copy should also be sent to the National Office, 
    Attention: Water and Waste Processing.
    
    
    Sec. 1778.33  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 1778.34  Grant servicing.
    
        (a) Grants will be serviced in accordance with Sec. 1951.215 of 
    subpart E of part 1951 of this title and subpart O of part 1951 of this 
    title.
        (b) The grantee will provide an audit report in accordance with 
    Sec. 1780.47 of this chapter.
    
    
    Sec. 1778.35  Subsequent grants.
    
        Subsequent grants will be processed in accordance with the 
    requirements set forth in this part. The initial and subsequent grants 
    made to complete a previously approved project must comply with the 
    maximum grant requirements set forth in Sec. 1778.11.
    
    
    Sec. 1778.36  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 1778.37  Forms, Instructions and Bulletins.
    
        Bulletins, instructions and forms referenced are for use in 
    administering grants made under this part and are available from any 
    USDA/Rural Development office or the Rural Utilities Service, United 
    States Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250-1500.
    
    
    Secs. 1778.38-1778.99  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 1778.100  OMB control number.
    
        The reporting and recordkeeping requirements contained in this part 
    have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget and assigned 
    OMB control number 0575-0074. Public reporting burden for this 
    collection of information is estimated to average two hours per 
    response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching 
    existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and 
    completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments 
    regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection 
    of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to 
    Department of Agriculture, Clearance Officer, OIRM, Room 404-W, 
    Washington, DC 20250; and to the Office of Information and Regulatory 
    Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC 20503.
        4. Part 1780, is added to read as follows:
    
    PART 1780--WATER AND WASTE LOANS AND GRANTS
    
    Subpart A--General Policies and Requirements
    
    Sec.
    1780.1  General.
    1780.2  Purpose.
    1780.3  Definitions and grammatical rules of construction.
    1780.4  Availability of forms and regulations.
    1780.5  [Reserved]
    1780.6  Application information.
    1780.7  Eligibility.
    1780.8  [Reserved]
    1780.9  Eligible loan and grant purposes.
    1780.10  Limitations.
    1780.11  Service area requirements.
    1780.12  [Reserved]
    1780.13  Rates and terms.
    1780.14  Security.
    1780.15  Other Federal, State, and local requirements.
    1780.16  [Reserved]
    1780.17  Selection priorities and process.
    1780.18  Allocation of program funds.
    1780.19  Public information.
    1780.20-1780.23  [Reserved]
    1780.24  Approval authorities.
    1780.25  Exception authority.
    1780.26-1780.30  [Reserved]
    
    Subpart B--Loan and Grant Application Processing
    
    1780.31  General.
    1780.32  Timeframes for application processing.
    1780.33  Application requirements.
    1780.34  [Reserved]
    1780.35  Processing office review.
    1780.36  Approving official review.
    1780.37  Applications determined ineligible.
    1780.38  [Reserved]
    1780.39  Application processing.
    1780.40  [Reserved]
    1780.41  Loan or grant approval.
    1780.42  Transfer of obligations.
    1780.43  [Reserved]
    1780.44  Actions prior to loan or grant closing or start of 
    construction, whichever occurs first.
    1780.45  Loan and grant closing and delivery of funds.
    1780.46  [Reserved]
    1780.47  Borrower accounting methods, management reporting and 
    audits.
    1780.48  Regional commission grants.
    1780.49  Rural or Native Alaskan villages.
    1780.50-1780.52  [Reserved]
    Subpart C--Planning, Designing, Bidding, Contracting, Constructing and 
    Inspections
    1780.53  General.
    1780.54  Technical services.
    1780.55  Preliminary engineering reports.
    1780.56  [Reserved]
    1780.57  Design policies.
    1780.58-1780.60  [Reserved]
    1780.61  Construction contracts.
    1780.62  Utility purchase contracts.
    1780.63  Sewage treatment and bulk water sales contracts.
    1780.64-1780.66  [Reserved]
    1780.67  Performing construction.
    1780.68  Owner's contractual responsibility.
    1780.69  [Reserved]
    1780.70  Owner's procurement regulations.
    1780.71  [Reserved]
    1780.72  Procurement methods.
    1780.73  [Reserved]
    1780.74  Contracts awarded prior to applications.
    1780.75  Contract provisions.
    1780.76  Contract administration.
    1780.77-1780.79  [Reserved]
    Subpart D--Information Pertaining to Preparation of Notes or Bonds and 
    Bond Transcript Documents for Public Body Applicants
    1780.80  General.
    1780.81  Policies related to use of bond counsel.
    1780.82  [Reserved]
    1780.83  Bond transcript documents.
    1780.84-1780.86  [Reserved]
    1780.87  Permanent instruments for Agency loans.
    1780.88  [Reserved]
    1780.89  Multiple advances of Agency funds using permanent 
    instruments.
    1780.90  Multiple advances of Agency funds using temporary debt 
    instruments.
    1780.91-1780.93  [Reserved]
    1780.94  Minimum bond specifications.
    1780.95  Public bidding on bonds.
    1780.96-1780.100  [Reserved]
    
        Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 7 U.S.C. 1989; 16 U.S.C. 1005.
    
    Subpart A--General Policies and Requirements
    
    
    Sec. 1780.1  General.
    
        (a) This part outlines the policies and procedures for making and 
    processing direct loans and grants for water and waste projects. The 
    Rural Utilities Service (RUS) shall cooperate fully with State and 
    local agencies in making loans and grants to assure maximum support to 
    the State strategy for rural development. Agency officials and their 
    staffs shall maintain coordination and liaison with State agency and 
    substate planning districts.
        (b) The income data used in this part to determine median household 
    income must be that which most accurately reflects the income of the 
    service area. The median household income of the service area and the 
    nonmetropolitan median household income of the State will be determined 
    from income data from the most recent decennial census of the United 
    States. If there is reason to believe that the census data is not an 
    accurate representation of the median household income within the area 
    to be served, the reasons will be documented and the applicant may 
    furnish, or the Agency may obtain, additional information regarding 
    such median household income. Information will consist of reliable data 
    from local, regional, State or Federal sources or from a survey 
    conducted by a reliable
    
    [[Page 33479]]
    
    impartial source. The nonmetropolitan median household income of the 
    State may only be updated on a national basis by the RUS National 
    Office. This will be done only when median household income data for 
    the same year for all Bureau of the Census areas is available from the 
    Bureau of the Census or other reliable sources. Bureau of the Census 
    areas would include areas such as: Counties, County Subdivisions, 
    Cities, Towns, Townships, Boroughs, and other places.
        (c) RUS debt instruments will require an agreement that if at any 
    time it shall appear to the Government that the borrower is able to 
    refinance the amount of the indebtedness to the Government then 
    outstanding, in whole or in part, by obtaining a loan for such purposes 
    from responsible cooperative or private credit sources, at reasonable 
    rates and terms for loans for similar purposes and periods of time, the 
    borrower will, upon request of the Government, apply for and accept 
    such loan in sufficient amount to repay the Government and will take 
    all such actions as may be required in connection with such loan.
        (d) Funds allocated for use under this part are also for the use of 
    Indian tribes within the State, regardless of whether State development 
    strategies include Indian reservations within the State's boundaries. 
    Native Americans residing on such reservations must have equal 
    opportunity to participate in the benefits of these programs as 
    compared with other residents of the State. Such tribes might not be 
    subject to State and local laws or jurisdiction. However, any 
    requirements of this part that affect applicant eligibility, the 
    adequacy of RUS's security, or the adequacy of service to users of the 
    facility and all other requirements of this part must be met.
        (e) RUS financial programs must be extended without regard to race, 
    color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, age, or physical 
    or mental handicap.
        (f) Any processing or servicing activity conducted pursuant to this 
    part involving authorized assistance to Agency employees, members of 
    their families, known close relatives, or business or close personal 
    associates, is subject to the provisions of subpart D of part 1900 of 
    this title. Applicants for assistance are required to identify any 
    known relationship or association with a RUS employee.
        (g) Water and waste facilities will be designed, installed, and 
    operated in accordance with applicable laws which include but are not 
    limited to the Safe Drinking Water Act, Clean Water Act and the 
    Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.
        (h) RUS financed facilities will be consistent with any current 
    development plans of State, multijurisdictional areas, counties, or 
    municipalities in which the proposed project is located.
        (i) Each RUS financed facility will be in compliance with 
    appropriate State or Federal agency regulations which have control of 
    the appropriation, diversion, storage and use of water and disposal of 
    excess water.
        (j) Water and waste applicants must demonstrate that they possess 
    the financial, technical, and managerial capability necessary to 
    consistently comply with pertinent Federal and State laws and 
    requirements. In developing water and waste systems, applicants must 
    consider alternatives of ownership, system design, and the sharing of 
    services.
        (k) Applicants should be aware of and comply with other Federal 
    statute requirements including but not limited to:
        (1) Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Under section 
    504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. 794 et 
    seq.), no handicapped individual in the United States shall, solely by 
    reason of their handicap, be excluded from participation in, be denied 
    the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or 
    activity receiving RUS financial assistance;
        (2) Civil Rights Act of 1964. All borrowers are subject to, and 
    facilities must be operated in accordance with, title VI of the Civil 
    Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.) and subpart E of part 1901 
    of this title, particularly as it relates to conducting and reporting 
    of compliance reviews. Instruments of conveyance for loans and/or 
    grants subject to the Act must contain the covenant required by 
    Sec. 1901.202(e) of this title;
        (3) The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. This Act (42 
    U.S.C. 12101 et seq.) prohibits discrimination on the basis of 
    disability in employment, State and local government services, public 
    transportation, public accommodations, facilities, and 
    telecommunications. Title II of the Act applies to facilities operated 
    by State and local public entities which provides services, programs 
    and activities. Title III of the Act applies to facilities owned, 
    leased, or operated by private entities which accommodate the public; 
    and
        (4) Age Discrimination Act of 1975. This Act (42 U.S.C. 6101 et 
    seq.) provides that no person in the United States shall on the basis 
    of age, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, 
    or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity 
    receiving Federal financial assistance.
    
    
    Sec. 1780.2  Purpose.
    
        Provide loan and grant funds for water and waste projects serving 
    the most financially needy communities. Financial assistance should 
    result in reasonable user costs for rural residents, rural businesses, 
    and other rural users.
    
    
    Sec. 1780.3  Definitions and grammatical rules of construction.
    
        (a) Definitions. For the purposes of this part:
        Agency means the Rural Utilities Service and any United States 
    Department of Agriculture (USDA) employee acting on behalf of the Rural 
    Utilities Service in accordance with appropriate delegations of 
    authority.
        Agency identified target areas means an identified area in the 
    State strategic plan or other plans developed by the Rural Development 
    State Director.
        Approval official means the USDA official at the State level who 
    has been delegated the authority to approve loans or grants.
        Equivalent Dwelling Unit (EDU) means the level of service provided 
    to a typical rural residential dwelling.
        Parity bonds means bonds which have equal standing with other bonds 
    of the same Issuer.
        Poverty line means the level of income for a family of four, as 
    defined in section 673(2) of the Community Services Block Grant Act (42 
    U.S.C. 9902(2)).
        Processing office means the office designated by the State program 
    official to accept and process applications for water and waste 
    disposal assistance.
        Project means all activity that an applicant is currently 
    undertaking to be financed in whole or part with RUS assistance.
        Protective advances are payments made by a lender for items such as 
    insurance or taxes in order to preserve and protect the security or the 
    lien or priority of the lien securing the loan.
        Rural and rural areas means any area not in a city or town with a 
    population in excess of 10,000 inhabitants, according to the latest 
    decennial census of the United States.
        Rural Development means the mission area of the Under Secretary for 
    Rural Development. Rural Development State and local offices will 
    administer this water and waste program on behalf of the Rural 
    Utilities Service.
        RUS means the Rural Utilities Service, an agency of the United 
    States
    
    [[Page 33480]]
    
    Department of Agriculture established pursuant to section 232 of the 
    Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (Pub. L. 103-354, 
    108 Stat. 3178), successor to the Farmer's Home Administration and the 
    Rural Development Administration with respect to certain water and 
    waste disposal loan and grant programs.
        Service area means the area reasonably expected to be served by the 
    project.
        Servicing office means the office designated by the State program 
    official to service water and waste disposal loans and grants.
        Similar system cost means the average annual EDU user cost of a 
    system within a community having similar economic conditions and being 
    served by the same type of established system. Similar system cost 
    shall include all charges, taxes, and assessments attributable to the 
    system including debt service, reserves and operation and maintenance 
    costs.
        State program official means the USDA official at the State level 
    who has been delegated the responsibility of administering the water 
    and waste disposal programs under this regulation for a particular 
    State or States.
        Statewide nonmetropolitan median household income means the median 
    household income of all rural areas of a state.
        (b) Rules of grammatical construction. Unless the context otherwise 
    indicates, ``includes'' and ``including'' are not limiting, and ``or'' 
    is not exclusive. The terms defined in paragraph (a) of this section 
    include the plural as well as the singular, and the singular as well as 
    the plural.
    
    
    Sec. 1780.4  Availability of forms and regulations.
    
        Information about the availability of forms, instructions, 
    regulations, bulletins, OMB Circulars, Treasury Circulars, standards, 
    documents and publications cited in this part is available from any 
    USDA/Rural Development office or the Rural Utilities Service, United 
    States Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250-1500.
    
    
    Sec. 1780.5  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 1780.6  Application information.
    
        (a) The Rural Development State Director in each State will 
    determine the office and staff that will be responsible for delivery of 
    the program (processing office) and designate an approving office. 
    Applications will be accepted by the processing office.
        (b) The applicant's governing body should designate one person to 
    act as contact person with the Agency during loan and grant processing. 
    Agency personnel should make every effort to involve the applicant's 
    contact person when meeting with the applicant's professional 
    consultants or agents.
    
    
    Sec. 1780.7  Eligibility.
    
        Facilities financed by water and waste disposal loans or grants 
    must serve rural areas.
        (a) Eligible applicant. An applicant must be:
        (1) A public body, such as a municipality, county, district, 
    authority, or other political subdivision of a state, territory or 
    commonwealth;
        (2) An organization operated on a not-for-profit basis, such as an 
    association, cooperative, or private corporation. The organization must 
    be an association controlled by a local public body or bodies, or have 
    a broadly based ownership by or membership of people of the local 
    community; or
        (3) Indian tribes on Federal and State reservations and other 
    Federally recognized Indian tribes.
        (b) Eligible facilities. Facilities financed by RUS may be located 
    in non-rural areas. However, loan and grant funds may be used to 
    finance only that portion of the facility serving rural areas, 
    regardless of facility location.
        (c) Eligible projects. (1) Projects must serve a rural area which, 
    if such project is completed, is not likely to decline in population 
    below that for which the project was designed.
        (2) Projects must be designed and constructed so that adequate 
    capacity will or can be made available to serve the present population 
    of the area to the extent feasible and to serve the reasonably 
    foreseeable growth needs of the area to the extent practicable.
        (3) Projects must be necessary for orderly community development 
    and consistent with a current comprehensive community water, waste 
    disposal, or other current development plan for the rural area.
        (d) Credit elsewhere. Applicants must certify in writing and the 
    Agency shall determine and document that the applicant is unable to 
    finance the proposed project from their own resources or through 
    commercial credit at reasonable rates and terms.
        (e) Legal authority and responsibility. Each applicant must have or 
    will obtain the legal authority necessary for owning, constructing, 
    operating, and maintaining the proposed facility or service and for 
    obtaining, giving security for, and repaying the proposed loan. The 
    applicant shall be responsible for operating, maintaining, and managing 
    the facility, and providing for its continued availability and use at 
    reasonable user rates and charges. This responsibility shall be 
    exercised by the applicant even though the facility may be operated, 
    maintained, or managed by a third party under contract or management 
    agreement. Guidance for preparing a management agreement is available 
    from the Agency. Such contracts, management agreements, or leases must 
    not contain options or other provisions for transfer of ownership.
        (f) Economic feasibility. All projects financed under the 
    provisions of this section must be based on taxes, assessments, income, 
    fees, or other satisfactory sources of revenues in an amount sufficient 
    to provide for facility operation and maintenance, reasonable reserves, 
    and debt payment. If the primary use of the facility is by business and 
    the success or failure of the facility is dependent on the business, 
    then the economic viability of that business must be assessed.
        (g) Federal Debt Collection Act of 1990 (28 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.). 
    An outstanding judgment obtained by the United States in a Federal 
    Court (other than in the United States Tax Court), which has been 
    recorded, shall cause the applicant to be ineligible to receive a loan 
    or grant until the judgment is paid in full or otherwise satisfied.
        (h) Expanded eligibility for timber-dependent communities in 
    Pacific Northwest. In the Pacific Northwest, defined as an area 
    containing national forest covered by the Federal document entitled, 
    ``Forest Plan for a Sustainable Economy and a Sustainable 
    Environment,'' dated July 1, 1993, the population limits contained in 
    Sec. 1780.3(a) are expanded to include communities with not more than 
    25,000 inhabitants until September 30, 1998, if:
        (1) Part or all of the community lies within 100 miles of the 
    boundary of a national forest covered by the Federal document entitled, 
    ``Forest Plan for a Sustainable Economy and a Sustainable 
    Environment,'' dated July 1, 1993; and
        (2) The community is located in a county in which at least 15 
    percent of the total primary and secondary labor and proprietor income 
    is derived from forestry, wood products, or forest-related industries 
    such as recreation and tourism.
    
    
    Sec. 1780.8  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 1780.9  Eligible loan and grant purposes.
    
        Loan and grant funds may be used only for the following purposes:
        (a) To construct, enlarge, extend, or otherwise improve rural 
    water, sanitary sewage, solid waste disposal, and storm wastewater 
    disposal facilities.
    
    [[Page 33481]]
    
        (b) To construct or relocate public buildings, roads, bridges, 
    fences, or utilities, and to make other public improvements necessary 
    for the successful operation or protection of facilities authorized in 
    paragraph (a) of this section.
        (c) To relocate private buildings, roads, bridges, fences, or 
    utilities, and other private improvements necessary for the successful 
    operation or protection of facilities authorized in paragraph (a) of 
    this section.
        (d) For payment of other utility connection charges as provided in 
    service contracts between utility systems.
        (e) When a necessary part of the project relates to those 
    facilities authorized in paragraphs (a), (b),(c) or (d) of this section 
    the following may be considered:
        (1) Loan or grant funds may be used for:
        (i) Reasonable fees and costs such as: legal, engineering, 
    administrative services, fiscal advisory, recording, environmental 
    analyses and surveys, possible salvage or other mitigation measures, 
    planning, establishing or acquiring rights;
        (ii) Costs of acquiring interest in land; rights, such as water 
    rights, leases, permits, rights-of-way; and other evidence of land or 
    water control or protection necessary for development of the facility;
        (iii) Purchasing or renting equipment necessary to install, 
    operate, maintain, extend, or protect facilities;
        (iv) Cost of additional applicant labor and other expenses 
    necessary to install and extend service; and
        (v) In unusual cases, the cost for connecting the user to the main 
    service line.
        (2) Only loan funds may be used for:
        (i) Interest incurred during construction in conjunction with 
    multiple advances or interest on interim financing;
        (ii) Initial operating expenses, including interest, for a period 
    ordinarily not exceeding one year when the applicant is unable to pay 
    such expenses;
        (iii) The purchase of existing facilities when it is necessary 
    either to improve service or prevent the loss of service;
        (iv) Refinancing debts incurred by, or on behalf of, an applicant 
    when all of the following conditions exist:
        (A) The debts being refinanced are a secondary part of the total 
    loan;
        (B) The debts were incurred for the facility or service being 
    financed or any part thereof; and
        (C) Arrangements cannot be made with the creditors to extend or 
    modify the terms of the debts so that a sound basis will exist for 
    making a loan; and
        (v) Prepayment of costs for which RUS grant funds were obligated.
        (3) Grant funds may be used to restore loan funds used to prepay 
    grant obligated costs.
        (f) Construction incurred before loan or grant approval.
        (1) Funds may be used to pay obligations for eligible project costs 
    incurred before loan or grant approval if such requests are made in 
    writing by the applicant and the Agency determines that:
        (i) Compelling reasons exist for incurring obligations before loan 
    or grant approval;
        (ii) The obligations will be incurred for authorized loan or grant 
    purposes; and
        (iii) The Agency's authorization to pay such obligations is on the 
    condition that it is not committed to make the loan or grant; it 
    assumes no responsibility for any obligations incurred by the 
    applicant; and the applicant must subsequently meet all loan or grant 
    approval requirements, including environmental and contracting 
    requirements.
        (2) If construction is started without Agency approval, post-
    approval in accordance with this section may be considered, provided 
    the construction meets applicable requirements including those 
    regarding approval and environmental matters.
        (g) Water or sewer service may be provided through individual 
    installations or small clusters of users within an applicant's service 
    area. The approval official should consider items such as: quantity and 
    quality of the individual installations that may be developed; cost 
    effectiveness of the individual facility compared with the initial and 
    long term user cost on a central system; health and pollution problems 
    attributable to individual facilities; operational or management 
    problems peculiar to individual installations; and permit and 
    regulatory agency requirements.
        (1) Applicants providing service through individual facilities must 
    meet the eligibility requirements in Sec. 1780.7.
        (2) The Agency must approve the form of agreement between the 
    applicant and individual users for the installation, operation, 
    maintenance and payment for individual facilities.
        (3) If taxes or assessments are not pledged as security, applicants 
    providing service through individual facilities must obtain security 
    necessary to assure collection of any sum the individual user is 
    obligated to pay the applicant.
        (4) Notes representing indebtedness owed the applicant by a user 
    for an individual facility will be scheduled for payment over a period 
    not to exceed the useful life of the individual facility or the RUS 
    loan, whichever is shorter. The interest rate will not exceed the 
    interest rate charged the applicant on the RUS indebtedness.
        (5) Applicants providing service through individual or cluster 
    facilities must obtain:
        (i) Easements for the installation and ingress to and egress from 
    the facility if determined necessary by RUS; and
        (ii) An adequate method for denying service in the event of 
    nonpayment of user fees.
    
    
    Sec. 1780.10  Limitations.
    
        (a) Loan and grant funds may not be used to finance:
        (1) Facilities which are not modest in size, design, and cost;
        (2) Loan or grant finder's fees;
        (3) The construction of any new combined storm and sanitary sewer 
    facilities;
        (4) Any portion of the cost of a facility which does not serve a 
    rural area;
        (5) That portion of project costs normally provided by a business 
    or industrial user, such as wastewater pretreatment, etc.;
        (6) Rental for the use of equipment or machinery owned by the 
    applicant;
        (7) For other purposes not directly related to operating and 
    maintenance of the facility being installed or improved; and
        (8) A judgment which would disqualify an applicant for a loan or 
    grant as provided for in Sec. 1780.7(g).
        (b) Grant funds may not be used to:
        (1) Reduce EDU costs to a level less than similar system cost;
        (2) Pay any costs of a project when the median household income of 
    the service area is and more than 100 percent of the nonmetropolitan 
    median household income of the State;
        (3) Pay project costs when other loan funding for the project is 
    not at reasonable rates and terms; and
        (4) Pay project costs when other funding is a guaranteed loan 
    obtained in accordance with subpart I of part 1980 of this title.
        (c) Grants may not be made in excess of the following percentages 
    of the RUS eligible project development costs. Facilities previously 
    installed will not be considered in determining the development costs.
        (1) 75 percent when the median household income of the service area 
    is below the higher of the poverty line or 80% of the state 
    nonmetropolitan median income and the project is
    
    [[Page 33482]]
    
    necessary to alleviate a health or sanitary problem.
        (2) 45 percent when the median household income of the service area 
    exceeds the 80 percent requirements described in paragraph (c)(1) of 
    this section but is not more than 100 percent of the statewide 
    nonmetropolitan median household income.
        (3) Applicants are advised that the percentages contained in 
    paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this section are maximum amounts and 
    may be further limited due to availability of funds or the grant 
    determination procedures contained in Sec. 1780.35 (b).
    
    
    Sec. 1780.11  Service area requirements.
    
        (a) All facilities financed under the provisions of this part shall 
    be for public use. The facilities will be installed so as to serve any 
    potential user within the service area who desires service and can be 
    feasibly and legally served. This does not preclude:
        (1) Financing or constructing projects in phases when it is not 
    practical to finance or construct the entire project at one time; and
        (2) Financing or constructing facilities where it is not 
    economically feasible to serve the entire area, provided economic 
    feasibility is determined on the basis of the entire system and not by 
    considering the cost of separate extensions to or parts thereof; the 
    applicant publicly announces a plan for extending service to areas not 
    initially receiving service from the system; and potential users 
    located in the areas not to be initially served receive written notice 
    from the applicant that service will not be provided until such time as 
    it is economically feasible to do so.
        (b) Should the Agency determine that inequities exist within the 
    applicants service area for the same type service proposed (i.e., water 
    or waste disposal) such inequities will be remedied by the applicant 
    prior to loan or grant approval or included as part of the project. 
    Inequities are defined as unjustified variations in availability, 
    adequacy or quality of service. User rate schedules for portions of 
    existing systems that were developed under different financing, rates, 
    terms or conditions do not necessarily constitute inequities.
        (c) Developers are normally expected to provide utility-type 
    facilities in new or developing areas in compliance with appropriate 
    State statutes. RUS financing will be considered to an eligible 
    applicant only in such cases when failure to complete development would 
    result in an adverse economic condition for the rural area (not the 
    community being developed); the proposal is necessary to the success of 
    a current area development plan; and loan repayment can be assured by:
        (1) The applicant already having sufficient assured revenues to 
    repay the loan; or
        (2) Developers providing a bond or escrowed security deposit as a 
    guarantee sufficient to meet expenses attributable to the area in 
    question until a sufficient number of the building sites are occupied 
    and connected to the facility to provide enough revenues to meet 
    operating, maintenance, debt service, and reserve requirements. Such 
    guarantees from developers will meet the requirements in 
    Sec. 1780.39(c)(4)(ii); or
        (3) Developers paying cash for the increased capital cost and any 
    increased operating expenses until the developing area will support the 
    increased costs; or
        (4) The full faith and credit of a public body where the debt is 
    evidenced by general obligation bonds; or
        (5) The loan is to a public body evidenced by a pledge of tax 
    revenue or assessments; or
        (6) The user charges can become a lien upon the property being 
    served and income from such lien can be collected in sufficient time to 
    be used for its intended purposes.
    
    
    Sec. 1780.12  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 1780.13  Rates and terms.
    
        (a) General. (1) Each loan will bear interest at the rate 
    prescribed in RD Instruction 440.1, exhibit B. The interest rates will 
    be set by the Agency for each quarter of the fiscal year. All rates 
    will be adjusted to the nearest one-eighth of one per centum. The rate 
    will be the lower of the rate in effect at the time of loan approval or 
    the rate in effect at the time of loan closing unless the applicant 
    otherwise chooses.
        (2) If the interest rate is to be that in effect at loan closing on 
    a loan involving multiple advances of RUS funds using temporary debt 
    instruments, the interest rate charged shall be that in effect on the 
    date when the first temporary debt instrument is issued.
        (b) Poverty rate. The poverty interest rate will not exceed 5 per 
    centum per annum. All poverty rate loans must comply with the following 
    conditions:
        (1) The primary purpose of the loan is to upgrade existing 
    facilities or construct new facilities required to meet applicable 
    health or sanitary standards; and
        (2) The median household income of the service area is below the 
    higher of the poverty line, or 80 percent of the Statewide 
    nonmetropolitan median household income.
        (c) Intermediate rate. The intermediate interest rate will be set 
    at the poverty rate plus one-half of the difference between the poverty 
    rate and the market rate, not to exceed 7 percent per annum. It will 
    apply to loans that do not meet the requirements for the poverty rate 
    and for which the median household income of the service area is not 
    more than 100 percent of the nonmetropolitan median household income of 
    the State.
        (d) Market rate. The market interest rate will be set using as 
    guidance the average of the Bond Buyer (11-GO Bond) Index for the four 
    weeks prior to the first Friday of the last month before the beginning 
    of the quarter. The market rate will apply to all loans that do not 
    qualify for a different rate under paragraph (b) or (c) of this 
    section.
        (e) Repayment terms. The loan repayment period shall not exceed the 
    useful life of the facility, State statute or 40 years from the date of 
    the note or bond, whichever is less. Where RUS grant funds are used in 
    connection with an RUS loan, the loan will be for the maximum term 
    permitted by this part, State statute, or the useful life of the 
    facility, whichever is less, unless there is an exceptional case where 
    circumstances justify making an RUS loan for less than the maximum term 
    permitted. In such cases, the reasons must be fully documented.
        (1) Principal payments may be deferred in whole or in part for a 
    period not to exceed 36 months following the date the first interest 
    installment is due. If for any reason it appears necessary to permit a 
    longer period of deferment, the Agency may authorize such deferment. 
    Deferments of principal will not be used to:
        (i) Postpone the levying of taxes or assessments;
        (ii) Delay collection of the full rates which the borrower has 
    agreed to charge users for its services as soon as those services 
    become available;
        (iii) Create reserves for normal operation and maintenance;
        (iv) Make any capital improvements except those approved by the 
    Agency which are determined to be essential to the repayment of the 
    loan or to maintain adequate security; and
        (v) Make payment on other debt.
        (2) Payment date. Loan payments will be scheduled to coincide with 
    income availability and be in accordance with State law. If State law 
    only permits principal plus interest (P&I) type bonds, annual or 
    semiannual payments will be used. Insofar as practical monthly payments 
    will be scheduled one full month following the date of loan closing; or 
    semiannual or annual payments will be scheduled six or twelve full 
    months, respectively,
    
    [[Page 33483]]
    
    following the date of loan closing or any deferment period. Due dates 
    falling on the 29th, 30th or 31st day of the month will be avoided.
        (3) In all cases, including those in which RUS is jointly financing 
    with another lender, the RUS payments of principal and interest should 
    approximate amortized installments.
    
    
    Sec. 1780.14  Security.
    
        Loans will be secured by the best security position practicable in 
    a manner which will adequately protect the interest of RUS during the 
    repayment period of the loan. Specific security requirements for each 
    loan will be included in a letter of conditions.
        (a) Public bodies. Loans to such borrowers, including Federally 
    recognized Indian tribes as appropriate, will be evidenced by notes, 
    bonds, warrants, or other contractual obligations as may be authorized 
    by relevant laws and by borrower's documents, resolutions, and 
    ordinances. Security, in the following order of preference, will 
    consist of:
        (1) The full faith and credit of the borrower when the debt is 
    evidenced by general obligation bonds; and/or
        (2) Pledges of taxes or assessments; and/or
        (3) Pledges of facility revenue and, when it is the customary 
    financial practice in the State, liens will be taken on the interest of 
    the applicant in all land, easements, rights-of-way, water rights, 
    water purchase contracts, water sales contracts, sewage treatment 
    contracts, and similar property rights, including leasehold interests, 
    used or to be used in connection with the facility whether owned at the 
    time the loan is approved or acquired with loan funds.
        (b) Other-than-public bodies. Loans to other-than-public body 
    applicants and Federally recognized Indian tribes, as appropriate, will 
    be secured in the following order of preference:
        (1) Assignments of borrower income will be taken and perfected by 
    filing, if legally permissible; and
        (2) A lien will be taken on the interest of the applicant in all 
    land, easements, rights-of-way, water rights, water purchase contracts, 
    water sales contracts, sewage treatment contracts and similar property 
    rights, including leasehold interest, used, or to be used in connection 
    with the facility whether owned at the time the loan is approved or 
    acquired with loan funds. In unusual circumstances where it is not 
    legally permissible or feasible to obtain a lien on such land (such as 
    land rights obtained from Federal or local government agencies, and 
    from railroads) and the approval official determines that the interest 
    of RUS is otherwise adequately secured, the lien requirement may be 
    omitted as to such land rights. For existing borrowers where the Agency 
    already has a security position on real property, the approval official 
    may determine that the interest of the Government is adequately secured 
    and not require additional liens on such land rights. When the 
    subsequent loan is approved or the acquisition of real property is 
    subject to an outstanding lien indebtedness, the next highest priority 
    lien obtainable will be taken if the approval official determines that 
    the loan is adequately secured.
        (c) Joint financing security. For projects utilizing joint 
    financing, when adequate security of more than one type is available, 
    the other lender may take one type of security with RUS taking another 
    type. For projects utilizing joint financing with the same security to 
    be shared by RUS and another lender, RUS will obtain at least a parity 
    position with the other lender. A parity position is to ensure that 
    with joint security, in the event of default, each lender will be 
    affected on a proportionate basis. A parity position will conform with 
    the following unless an exception is granted by the approval official:
        (1) It is not necessary for loans to have the same repayment terms. 
    Loans made by other lenders involved in joint financing with RUS should 
    be scheduled for repayment on terms similar to those customarily used 
    in the State for financing such facilities.
        (2) The use of a trustee or other similar paying agent by the other 
    lender in a joint financing arrangement is acceptable to RUS. A trustee 
    or other similar paying agent will not normally be used for the RUS 
    portion of the funding unless required to comply with State law. The 
    responsibilities and authorities of any trustee or other similar paying 
    agent on projects that include RUS funds must be clearly specified by 
    written agreement and approved by the State program official and the 
    Office of the General Counsel (OGC). RUS must be able to deal directly 
    with the borrower to enforce the provisions of loan and grant 
    agreements and perform necessary servicing actions.
        (3) In the event adequate funds are not available to meet regular 
    installments on parity loans, the funds available will be apportioned 
    to the lenders based on the respective current installments of 
    principal and interest due.
        (4) Funds obtained from the sale or liquidation of secured property 
    or fixed assets will be apportioned to the lenders on the basis of the 
    pro rata amount outstanding; provided, however, funds obtained from 
    such sale or liquidation for a project that included RUS grant funds 
    will be apportioned as required by the grant agreement.
        (5) Protective advances must be charged to the borrower's account 
    and be secured by a lien on the security property. To the extent 
    consistent with State law and customary lending practices in the area, 
    repayment of protective advances made by either lender, for the mutual 
    protection of both lenders, should receive first priority in 
    apportionment of funds between the lenders. To ensure agreement between 
    lenders, efforts should be made to obtain the concurrence of both 
    lenders before one lender makes a protective advance.
    
    
    Sec. 1780.15  Other Federal, State, and local requirements.
    
        Proposals for facilities financed in whole or in part with RUS 
    funds will be coordinated with appropriate Federal, State and local 
    agencies. If there are conflicts between this part and State or local 
    laws or regulatory commission regulations, the provisions of this part 
    will control. Applicants will be required to comply with Federal, 
    State, and local laws and any regulatory commission rules and 
    regulations pertaining to:
        (a) Organization of the applicant and its authority to own, 
    construct, operate, and maintain the proposed facilities;
        (b) Borrowing money, giving security therefore, and raising 
    revenues for the repayment thereof;
        (c) Land use zoning; and
        (d) Health and sanitation standards and design and installation 
    standards unless an exception is granted by RUS.
    
    
    Sec. 1780.16  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 1780.17  Selection priorities and process.
    
        When ranking eligible applications for consideration for limited 
    funds, Agency officials must consider the priority items met by each 
    application and the degree to which those priorities are met. Points 
    will be awarded as follows:
        (a) Population priorities. (1) The proposed project will primarily 
    serve a rural area having a population not in excess of 1,000--25 
    points;
        (2) The proposed project primarily serves a rural area having a 
    population between 1,001 and 2,500--15 points;
        (3) The proposed project primarily serves a rural area having a 
    population between 2,501 and 5,500--5 points.
        (b) Health priorities. The proposed project is:
        (1) Needed to alleviate an emergency situation, correct 
    unanticipated diminution or deterioration of a water supply, or to meet 
    Safe Drinking Water
    
    [[Page 33484]]
    
    Act requirements which pertain to a water system--25 points;
        (2) Required to correct inadequacies of a wastewater disposal 
    system, or to meet health standards which pertain to a wastewater 
    disposal system--25 points;
        (3) Required to meet administrative orders issued to correct local, 
    State, or Federal solid waste violations--15 points.
        (c) Median household income priorities. The median household income 
    of the population to be served by the proposed project is:
        (1) Less than the poverty line if the poverty line is less than 80% 
    of the statewide nonmetropolitan median household income--30 points;
        (2) Less than 80 percent of the statewide nonmetropolitan median 
    household income--20 points;
        (3) Equal to or more than the poverty line and between 80% and 
    100%, inclusive, of the State's nonmetropolitan median household 
    income--15 points.
        (d) Other priorities. (1) The proposed project will: merge 
    ownership, management, and operation of smaller facilities providing 
    for more efficient management and economical service--15 points;
        (2) The proposed project will enlarge, extend, or otherwise modify 
    existing facilities to provide service to additional rural areas--10 
    points;
        (3) Applicant is a public body or Indian tribe--5 points;
        (4) Amount of other than RUS funds committed to the project is:
        (i) 50% or more--15 points;
        (ii) 20% to 49%--10 points;
        (iii) 5%--19%--5 points;
        (5) Projects that will serve Agency identified target areas--10 
    points;
        (6) Projects that primarily recycle solid waste products thereby 
    limiting the need for solid waste disposal--5 points;
        (7) The proposed project will serve an area that has an unreliable 
    quality or supply of drinking water--10 points.
        (e) In certain cases the State program official may assign up to 15 
    points to a project. The points may be awarded to projects in order to 
    improve compatibility and coordination between RUS's and other 
    agencies' selection systems, to ensure effective RUS fund utilization, 
    and to assist those projects that are the most cost effective. A 
    written justification must be prepared and placed in the project file 
    each time these points are assigned.
        (f) Cost overruns. An application may receive consideration for 
    funding before others at the State or National Office level when it is 
    a subsequent request for a previously approved project which has 
    encountered construction cost overruns. The cost overruns must be due 
    to high bids or unexpected construction problems that cannot be reduced 
    by negotiations, redesign, use of bid alternatives, rebidding or other 
    means. Cost overruns exceeding 20% of the development cost at time of 
    loan or grant approval or where the scope of the original purpose has 
    changed will not be considered under this paragraph.
        (g) National office priorities. In selecting projects for funding 
    at the National Office level State program official points may or may 
    not be considered. The Administrator may assign up to 15 additional 
    points to account for items such as geographic distribution of funds, 
    the highest priority projects within a state, and emergency conditions 
    caused by economic problems or natural disasters. The Administrator may 
    delegate the authority to assign the 15 points to appropriate National 
    Office staff.
    
    
    Sec. 1780.18  Allocation of program funds.
    
        (a) General. (1) The purpose of this part is to set forth the 
    methodology and formulas by which the Administrator of the RUS 
    allocates program funds to the States. (The term ``State'' means any of 
    the States of the United States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, any 
    territory or possession of the United States, or the Western Pacific 
    Areas.)
        (2) The formulas in this part are used to allocate program loan and 
    grant funds to Rural Development State offices so that the overall 
    mission of the Agency can be carried out. Considerations used when 
    developing the formulas include enabling legislation, congressional 
    direction, and administration policies. Allocation formulas ensure that 
    program resources are available on an equal basis to all eligible 
    individuals and organizations.
        (3) The actual amounts of funds, as computed by the methodology and 
    formulas contained herein, allocated to a State for a funding period, 
    are distributed to each State office. The allocated amounts are 
    available for review in any Rural Development State office.
        (b) Definitions.--(1) Amount available for allocations. Funds 
    appropriated or otherwise made available to the Agency for use in 
    authorized programs. On occasion, the allocation of funds to States may 
    not be practical for a particular program due to funding or 
    administrative constraints. In these cases, funds will be controlled by 
    the National Office.
        (2) Basic formula criteria, data source and weight. Basic formulas 
    are used to calculate a basic State factor as a part of the methodology 
    for allocating funds to the States. The formulas take a number of 
    criteria that reflect the funding needs for a particular program and 
    through a normalization and weighting process for each of the criteria 
    calculate the basic State factor (SF). The data sources used for each 
    criteria are believed to be the most current and reliable information 
    that adequately quantifies the criterion. The weight, expressed as a 
    percentage, gives a relative value to the importance of each of the 
    criteria.
        (3) Basic formula allocation. The result of multiplying the amount 
    available for allocation less the total of any amounts held in reserve 
    or distributed by base or administrative allocation times the basic 
    State factor for each State. The basic formula allocation (BFA) for an 
    individual State is equal to:
    
    BFA=(Amount available for allocation-NO reserve-total base and 
    administrative allocations)  x  SF.
    
        (4) Transition formula. (i) A formula based on a proportional 
    amount of previous year allocation used to maintain program continuity 
    by preventing large fluctuations in individual State allocations. The 
    transition formula limits allocation shifts to any particular State in 
    the event of changes from year to year of the basic formula, the basic 
    criteria, or the weights given the criteria. The transition formula 
    first checks whether the current year's basic formula allocation is 
    within the transition range (plus or minus 20 percentage points of the 
    proportional amount of the previous year's BFA). The formula follows:
    [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR19JN97.000
    
        (ii) If the current year's State BFA is not within the transition 
    range in paragraph (b)(4)(i) of this section, the State formula 
    allocation is changed to the amount of the transition range limit 
    closest to the BFA amount. After having
    
    [[Page 33485]]
    
    performed this transition adjustment for each State, the sum of the 
    funds allocated to all States will differ from the amount of funds 
    available for BFA. This difference, whether a positive or negative 
    amount, is distributed to all States receiving a formula allocation by 
    multiplying the difference by the SF. The end result is the transition 
    formula allocation. The transition range will not exceed 40% (plus or 
    minus 20%), but when a smaller range is used it will be stated in the 
    individual program section.
        (5) Base allocation. An amount that may be allocated to each State 
    dependent upon the particular program to provide the opportunity for 
    funding at least one typical loan or grant in each Rural Development 
    State office. The amount of the base allocation may be determined by 
    criteria other than that used in the basic formula allocation such as 
    Agency historic data.
        (6) Administrative allocations. Allocations made by the 
    Administrator in cases where basic formula criteria information is not 
    available. This form of allocation may be used when the Administrator 
    determines the program objectives cannot be adequately met with a 
    formula allocation.
        (7) Reserve. An amount retained under the National Office control 
    for each loan and grant program to provide flexibility in meeting 
    situations of unexpected or justifiable need occurring during the 
    fiscal year. The Administrator may make distributions from this reserve 
    to any State when it is determined necessary to meet a program need or 
    Agency objective. The Administrator may retain additional amounts to 
    fund authorized demonstration programs.
        (8) Pooling of funds. A technique used to ensure that available 
    funds are used in an effective, timely and efficient manner. At the 
    time of pooling those funds within a State's allocation for the fiscal 
    year or portion of the fiscal year, depending on the type of pooling, 
    that have not been obligated by the State are placed in the National 
    Office reserve. The Administrator will establish the pooling dates for 
    each affected program.
        (i) Mid-year: Mid-year pooling occurs near the midpoint of the 
    fiscal year.
        (ii) Year-end: Year-end pooling usually occurs near the first of 
    August.
        (iii) Emergency: The Administrator may pool funds at any time that 
    it is determined the conditions upon the initial allocation was based 
    have changed to such a degree that it is necessary to pool funds in 
    order to efficiently carry out the Agency mission.
        (9) Availability of the allocation. Program funds are made 
    available to the Agency on a quarterly basis.
        (10) Suballocation by the Rural Development State Director. The 
    State Director may be directed or given the option of suballocating the 
    State allocation to processing offices. When suballocating the State 
    Director may retain a portion of the funds in a State office reserve to 
    provide flexibility in situations of unexpected or justified need. When 
    performing a suballocation the State Director will use the same 
    formula, criteria and weights as used by the National Office.
        (c) Water and Waste Disposal loans and grants.--(1) Amount 
    available for allocations. See paragraph (b)(1) of this section.
        (2) Basic formula criteria, data source and weight. See paragraph 
    (b)(2) of this section.
        (i) The criteria used in the basic formula are:
        (A) State's percentage of national rural population will be 50 
    percent.
        (B) State's percentage of national rural population with incomes 
    below the poverty level will be 25 percent.
        (C) State's percentage of national nonmetropolitan unemployment 
    will be 25 percent.
        (ii) Data source for each of these criterion is based on the latest 
    census data available. Each criterion is assigned a specific weight 
    according to its relevance in determining need. The percentage 
    representing each criterion is multiplied by the weight factor and 
    summed to arrive at a State factor (SF). The SF cannot exceed .05, as 
    follows:
    
    SF = (criterion in paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section  x  50 
    percent) + (criterion in paragraph(b)(1)(ii) of this section  x  25 
    percent) + (criterion in paragraph(b)(1)(iii) of this section  x  25 
    percent)
    
        (3) Basic formula allocation. See paragraph (b)(3) of this section. 
    States receiving administrative allocations do not receive formula 
    allocations.
        (4) Transition formula. See paragraph (b)(4) of this section. The 
    percentage range for the transition formula equals 30 percent (plus or 
    minus 15%).
        (5) Base allocation. See paragraph (b)(5) of this section. States 
    receiving administrative allocations do not receive base allocations.
        (6) Administrative allocation. See paragraph (b)(6) of this 
    section. States participating in the formula and base allocation 
    procedures do not receive administrative allocations.
        (7) Reserve. See paragraph (b)(7) of this section. Any State may 
    request reserve funds by forwarding a request to the National Office. 
    Generally, a request for additional funds will not be honored unless 
    the State has insufficient funds to obligate the loan requested.
        (8) Pooling of funds. See paragraph (b)(8) of this section. Funds 
    are generally pooled at mid-year and year-end. Pooled funds will be 
    placed in the National Office reserve and will be made available 
    administratively.
        (9) Availability of the allocation. See paragraph (b)(9) of this 
    section. The allocation of funds is made available for States to 
    obligate on an annual basis although the Office of Management and 
    Budget apportions it to the Agency on a quarterly basis.
        (10) Suballocation by the State Director. See paragraph (b)(10) of 
    this section. The State Director has the option to suballocate funds to 
    processing offices.
    
    
    Sec. 1780.19  Public information.
    
        (a) Public notice of intent to file an application with the Agency. 
    Within 60 days of filing an application with the Agency the applicant 
    must publish a notice of intent to apply for a RUS loan or grant. The 
    notice of intent must be published in a newspaper of general 
    circulation in the proposed area to be served.
        (b) General public meeting. Applicants should inform the general 
    public regarding the development of any proposed project. Any applicant 
    not required to obtain authorization by vote of its membership or by 
    public referendum, to incur the obligations of the proposed loan or 
    grant, must hold at least one public information meeting. The public 
    meeting must be held not later than loan or grant approval. The meeting 
    must give the citizenry an opportunity to become acquainted with the 
    proposed project and to comment on such items as economic and 
    environmental impacts, service area, alternatives to the project, or 
    any other issue identified by Agency. To the extent possible, this 
    meeting should cover items necessary to satisfy all public information 
    meeting requirements for the proposed project. To minimize duplication 
    of public notices and public involvement, the applicant shall, where 
    possible, coordinate and integrate the public involvement activities of 
    the environmental review process into this requirement. The applicant 
    will be required, at least 10 days prior to the meeting, to publish a 
    notice of the meeting in a newspaper of general circulation in the 
    service area, to post a public notice at the applicant's principal 
    office, and to notify the Agency. The applicant will provide the
    
    [[Page 33486]]
    
    Agency a copy of the published notice and minutes of the public 
    meeting. A public meeting is not normally required for subsequent loans 
    or grants which are needed to complete the financing of a project.
    
    
    Secs. 1780.20-1780.23  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 1780.24  Approval authorities.
    
        Appropriate reviews, concurrence, and authorization must be 
    obtained for all loans or grants in excess of the amounts indicated in 
    RUS Staff Instruction 1780-1.
        (a) Redelegation of authority by State Directors. Unless restricted 
    by memorandum from the RUS Administrator, State Directors can 
    redelegate their approval authorities to State employees by memorandum.
        (b) Restriction of approval authority by the RUS Administrator. The 
    RUS Administrator can make written restrictions or revocations of the 
    authority given to any approval official.
    
    
    Sec. 1780.25  Exception authority.
    
        The Administrator may, in individual cases, make an exception to 
    any requirement or provision of this part which is not inconsistent 
    with the authorizing statute or other applicable law and is determined 
    to be in the Government's interest.
    
    
    Secs. 1780.26-1780.30  [Reserved]
    
    Subpart B--Loan and Grant Application Processing
    
    
    Sec. 1780.31  General.
    
        (a) Applicants are encouraged to contact the Agency processing 
    office early in the planning stages of their project. Agency personnel 
    are available to provide general advice and assistance regarding RUS 
    programs, other funding sources, and types of systems or improvements 
    appropriate for the applicants needs. The Agency can also provide 
    access to technical assistance and other information resources for 
    other project development issues such as public information, income 
    surveys, developing rate schedules, system operation and maintenance, 
    and environmental compliance requirements. Throughout the planning, 
    application processing and construction of the project, Agency 
    personnel will work closely and cooperatively with the applicant and 
    their representatives, other State and Federal agencies and technical 
    assistance providers.
        (b) The processing office will handle initial inquiries and provide 
    basic information about the program. They are to provide the 
    application, SF 424.2, ``Application for Federal Assistance (For 
    Construction),'' assist applicants as needed in completing SF 424.2, 
    and in filing a request for intergovernmental review. Federally 
    recognized Indian tribes are exempt from intergovernmental review. The 
    processing office will explain eligibility requirements and meet with 
    the applicant whenever necessary to discuss application processing.
        (c) Applicants can make a written request for an eligibility 
    determination in lieu of filing an SF 424.2 along with the information 
    required by Sec. 1780.33. Applicants seeking only an eligibility 
    determination, should contact the processing office to obtain a list of 
    the items needed to make this determination. An eligibility 
    determination for loan or grant assistance will not give an applicant 
    priority for funding as set forth in Sec. 1780.17.
        (d) Applications that are not developed in a reasonable period of 
    time taking into account the size and complexity of the proposed 
    project may be removed from the State's active file. Applicants will be 
    consulted prior to taking such action.
        (e) Starting with the earliest discussions with prospective 
    applicants or review of applications and continuing throughout 
    application processing, environmental issues must be considered. 
    Throughout the application process the State Environmental Coordinator 
    will discuss with the applicant and their engineer, environmental 
    review requirements for evaluating a project's potential for 
    environment impacts. This should provide flexibility to consider 
    alternatives to the project and develop methods to mitigate identified 
    adverse environmental impacts. The environmental review requirements 
    shall be performed simultaneously and concurrently with the project's 
    engineering design and mitigation measures integrated into the design 
    to minimize any adverse environmental impacts.
    
    
    Sec. 1780.32  Timeframes for application processing.
    
        (a) The processing office will determine if the application is 
    properly assembled. If not, the applicant will be notified within 
    fifteen federal working days as to what additional submittal items are 
    needed.
        (b) The processing and approval offices will coordinate their 
    reviews to ensure that the applicant is advised about eligibility and 
    anticipated fund availability within 45 days of the receipt of a 
    completed application.
    
    
    Sec. 1780.33  Application requirements.
    
        An initial application consists of the following:
        (a) One copy of a completed SF 424.2;
        (b) A copy of the State intergovernmental comments or one copy of 
    the filed application for State intergovernmental review; and
        (c) Two copies of the preliminary engineering report (PER) for the 
    project.
        (1) The PER may be submitted to the processing office prior to the 
    rest of the application material if the applicant desires a preliminary 
    review.
        (2) The processing office will forward one copy of the PER with 
    comments and recommendations to the State staff engineer for review 
    upon receipt from the applicant.
        (3) The State staff will consult with the applicant's engineer as 
    appropriate to resolve any questions concerning the PER and any 
    environmental concerns. Written comments will be provided by the State 
    staff engineer and State Environmental Coordinator to the processing 
    office to meet eligibility determination time lines.
        (d) Written certification that other credit is not available.
        (e) Supporting documentation necessary to make an eligibility 
    determination such as financial statements, audits, organizational 
    documents, or existing debt instruments. The processing office will 
    advise applicants regarding the required documents. Applicants that are 
    indebted to RUS will not need to submit documents already on file with 
    the processing office.
        (f) Form RD 1940-20, ``Request for Environmental Information'' or 
    comparable information. The applicant should consult with the 
    processing office to determine what information should be included with 
    this form.
        (g) The applicants Internal Revenue Service Taxpayer Identification 
    Number (TIN). The TIN will be used by the Agency to assign a case 
    number which will be the applicant's or transferee's TIN preceded by 
    State and County Code numbers. Only one case number will be assigned to 
    each applicant regardless of the number of loans or grants or number of 
    separate facilities, unless an exception is authorized by the National 
    Office.
        (h) Other Forms and certifications. Applicants will be required to 
    submit the following items to the processing office, upon notification 
    from the processing office to proceed with further development of the 
    full application:
        (1) Form RD 442-7, ``Operating Budget'';
    
    [[Page 33487]]
    
        (2) Form RD 1910-11, ``Application Certification, Federal 
    Collection Policies for Consumer or Commercial Debts'';
        (3) Form RD 400-1, ``Equal Opportunity Agreement'';
        (4) Form RD 400-4, ``Assurance Agreement'';
        (5) Form AD-1047, ``Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension 
    and other Responsibility Matters'';
        (6) Form AD-1049, Certification regarding Drug-Free Workplace 
    Requirements (Grants) Alternative I For Grantees Other Than 
    Individuals;
        (7) Certifications for Contracts, Grants, and Loans (Regarding 
    Lobbying); and
        (8) Certification regarding prohibited tying arrangements. 
    Applicants that provide electric service must provide the Agency a 
    certification that they will not require users of a water or waste 
    facility financed under this part to accept electric service as a 
    condition of receiving assistance.
    
    
    Sec. 1780.34  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 1780.35  Processing office review.
    
        Review of the application will usually include the following:
        (a) Nondiscrimination. Boundaries for the proposed service area 
    must not be chosen in such a way that any user or area will be excluded 
    because of race, color, religion, sex, marital status, age, handicap, 
    or national origin. This does not preclude construction of the project 
    in phases as noted in Sec. 1780.11 as long as it is not done in a 
    discriminatory manner.
        (b) Grant determination. Grants will be determined by the 
    processing office in accordance with the following provisions and will 
    not result in EDU costs below similar system user cost.
        (1) Maximum grant. Grants may not exceed the percentages in 
    Sec. 1780.10(c) of the eligible RUS project development costs listed in 
    Sec. 1780.9.
        (2) Debt service. Applicants will be considered for grant 
    assistance when the debt service portion of the average annual EDU 
    cost, for users in the applicant's service area, exceeds the following 
    percentages of median household income:
        (i) 0.5 percent when the median household income of the service 
    area is equal to or below 80% of the statewide nonmetropolitan median 
    income.
        (ii) 1.0 percent when the median household income of the service 
    area exceeds the 0.5 percent requirement but is not more than 100 
    percent the statewide nonmetropolitan household income.
        (3) Similar system cost. If the grant determined in paragraph 
    (b)(2) of this section results in an annual EDU cost that is not 
    comparable with similar systems, the Agency will determine a grant 
    amount based on achieving EDU costs that are not below similar system 
    user costs.
        (4) Wholesale service. When an applicant provides wholesale sales 
    or services on a contract basis to another system or entity, similar 
    wholesale system cost will be used in determining the amount of grant 
    needed to achieve a reasonable wholesale user cost.
        (5) Subsidized cost. When annual cost to the applicant for delivery 
    of service is subsidized by either the state, commonwealth, or 
    territory, and uniform flat user charges regardless of usage are 
    imposed for similar classes of service throughout the service area, the 
    Agency may proceed with a grant in an amount necessary to reduce such 
    delivery cost to a reasonable level.
        (c) User charges. The user charges should be reasonable and produce 
    enough revenue to provide for all costs of the facility after the 
    project is complete. The planned revenue should be sufficient to 
    provide for all debt service, debt reserve, operation and maintenance 
    and, if appropriate, additional revenue for facility replacement of 
    short lived assets without building a substantial surplus. Ordinarily, 
    the total debt reserve will be equal to one average annual loan 
    installment which will accumulate at the rate of one-tenth of the total 
    each year.
    
    
    Sec. 1780.36  Approving official review.
    
        Projects may be obligated as their applications are completed and 
    approved.
        (a) Selection of applications for further processing. The 
    application and supporting information submitted will be used to 
    determine the applications selected for further development and 
    funding. After completing the review, the approval official will 
    normally select those eligible applications with the highest priority 
    scores for further processing. When authorizing the development of an 
    application for funding, the following will be considered:
        (1) Funds available in State allocation;
        (2) Anticipated allocation of funds for the next fiscal year; and
        (3) Time necessary for applicant to complete the application.
        (b) Lower scoring projects. (1) In cases where preliminary cost 
    estimates indicate that an eligible, high scoring application is 
    unfeasible or would require an amount of funding from RUS that exceeds 
    either 25 percent of a State's current annual allocation or an amount 
    greater than that remaining in the State's allocation, the approval 
    official may instead select the next lower scoring application for 
    further processing provided the high scoring applicant is notified of 
    this action and given an opportunity to revise the proposal and 
    resubmit it.
        (2) If it is found that there is no effective way to reduce costs 
    or no other funding sources, the approval official, after consultation 
    with applicant, may submit a request for an additional allocation of 
    funds for the proposed project to the National Office. The request 
    should be submitted during the fiscal year in which obligation is 
    anticipated. Such request will be considered along with all others on 
    hand. A written justification must be prepared and placed in the 
    project file.
    
    
    Sec. 1780.37  Applications determined ineligible.
    
        If at any time an application is determined ineligible, the 
    processing office will notify the applicant in writing of the reasons. 
    The notification to the applicant will state that an appeal of this 
    decision may be made by the applicant under 7 CFR part 11.
    
    
    Sec. 1780.38  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 1780.39  Application processing.
    
        (a) Processing conference. Before starting to assemble the full 
    application, the applicant should arrange through the processing office 
    an application conference to provide a basis for orderly application 
    assembly. The processing office will explain program requirements, 
    public information requirements and provide guidance on preparation of 
    items necessary for approval.
        (b) Professional services and contracts related to the facility. 
    Fees provided for in contracts or agreements shall be reasonable. The 
    Agency shall consider fees to be reasonable if they are not in excess 
    of those ordinarily charged by the profession as a whole for similar 
    work when RUS financing is not involved. Applicants will be responsible 
    for providing the services necessary to plan projects including design 
    of facilities, preparation of cost and income estimates, development of 
    proposals for organization and financing, and overall operation and 
    maintenance of the facility. Applicants should negotiate for 
    procurement of professional services, whereby competitors' 
    qualifications are evaluated and the most qualified competitor is 
    selected, subject to negotiations of fair and reasonable compensation. 
    Contracts or other forms of agreement between the applicant and its 
    professional and
    
    [[Page 33488]]
    
    technical representatives are required and are subject to RUS 
    concurrence.
        (1) Engineering and architectural services. (i) Applicants shall 
    publicly announce all requirements for engineering and architectural 
    services, and negotiate contracts for engineering and architectural 
    services on the basis of demonstrated competence and qualifications for 
    the type of professional services required and at a fair and reasonable 
    price.
        (ii) When project design services are procured separately, the 
    selection of the engineer or architect shall be done by requesting 
    qualification-based proposals and in accordance with this section.
        (iii) Applicants may procure engineering and architectural services 
    in accordance with applicable State statutes or local requirements 
    provided the State Director determines that such procurement meets the 
    intent of this section.
        (2) Other professional services. Professional services of the 
    following may be necessary: Attorney, bond counsel, accountant, 
    auditor, appraiser, environmental professionals, and financial advisory 
    or fiscal agent (if desired by applicant). Guidance on entering into an 
    agreement for legal services is available from the Agency.
        (3) Bond counsel. Unless otherwise provided by subpart D of this 
    part, public bodies are required to obtain the service of recognized 
    bond counsel in the preparation of evidence of indebtedness.
        (4) Contracts for other services. Contracts or other forms of 
    agreements for other services including management, operation, and 
    maintenance will be developed by the applicant and presented to the 
    Agency for review and concurrence. Guidance on entering into a 
    management agreement is available from the Agency.
        (c) User estimates. Applicants dependent on users fees for debt 
    payment or operation and maintenance expenses shall base their income 
    and expense forecast on realistic user estimates. For users presently 
    not receiving service, consideration must be given to the following:
        (1) An estimated number of maximum users should not be used when 
    setting user fees and rates since it may be several years before all 
    residents will need service by the system. In establishing rates a 
    realistic number of users should be employed.
        (2) New user cash contributions. The amount of cash contributions 
    required will be set by the applicant and concurred in by the approval 
    official. Contributions should be an amount high enough to indicate 
    sincere interest on the part of the potential user, but not so high as 
    to preclude service to low income families. Contributions ordinarily 
    should be an amount approximating one year's minimum user fee, and 
    shall be paid in full before loan closing or commencement of 
    construction, whichever occurs first. Once economic feasibility is 
    ascertained based on a demonstration of potential user cash 
    contributions, the contribution, membership fee or other fees that may 
    be imposed are not a loan requirement under this section. A new user 
    cash contribution is not required when:
        (i) The Agency determines that the potential users as a whole in 
    the applicant's service area cannot make cash contributions; or
        (ii) State statutes or local ordinances require mandatory use of 
    the system and the applicant or legal entity having such authority 
    agrees in writing to enforce such statutes, or ordinances.
        (3) An enforceable user agreement with a penalty clause is required 
    (RUS Bulletin 1780-9 can be used) except:
        (i) For users presently receiving service; or
        (ii) Where mandatory use of the system is required.
        (4) Individual vacant property owners will not be considered when 
    determining project feasibility unless:
        (i) The owner has plans to develop the property in a reasonable 
    period of time and become a user of the facility; and
        (ii) The owner agrees in writing to make a monthly payment at least 
    equal to the proportionate share of debt service attributable to the 
    vacant property until the property is developed and the facility is 
    utilized on a regular basis. A bond or escrowed security deposit must 
    be provided to guarantee this monthly payment and to guarantee an 
    amount at least equal to the owner's proportionate share of 
    construction costs. If a bond is provided, it must be executed by a 
    surety company that appears on the Treasury Department's most current 
    list (Circular 570, as amended) and be authorized to transact business 
    in the State where the project is located. The guarantee shall be 
    payable jointly to the borrower and the United States of America.
        (5) Applicants must provide a positive program to encourage 
    connection by all users as soon as service is available. The program 
    will be available for review and concurrence by the processing office 
    before loan closing or commencement of construction, whichever occurs 
    first. Such a program shall include:
        (i) An aggressive information program to be carried out during the 
    construction period. The applicant should send written notification to 
    all signed users in advance of the date service will be available, 
    stating the date users will be expected to have their connections 
    completed, and the date user charges will begin;
        (ii) Positive steps to assure that installation services will be 
    available. These may be provided by the contractor installing the 
    system, local plumbing companies, or local contractors;
        (iii) Aggressive action to see that all signed users can finance 
    their connections.
        (d) Interim financing. For all loans exceeding $500,000, where 
    funds can be borrowed at reasonable interest rates on an interim basis 
    from commercial sources for the construction period, such interim 
    financing may be obtained so as to preclude the necessity for multiple 
    advances of RUS loan funds. However, the approval official may make an 
    exception when interim financing is cost prohibitive or unavailable. 
    Guidance on informing the private lender of RUS's commitment is 
    available from the Agency. When interim commercial financing is used, 
    the application will be processed, including obtaining construction 
    bids, to the stage where the RUS loan would normally be closed, that is 
    immediately prior to the start of construction. The RUS loan should be 
    closed as soon as possible after the disbursal of all interim funds.
        (e) Reserve requirements. Provision for the accumulation of 
    necessary reserves over a reasonable period of time will be included in 
    the loan documents.
        (1) General obligation or special assessment bonds. Ordinarily, the 
    requirements for reserves will be considered to have been met if 
    general obligation or other bonds which pledge the full faith and 
    credit of the political subdivision are used, or special assessment 
    bonds are used, and if such bonds provide for the annual collection of 
    sufficient taxes or assessments to cover debt service.
        (2) Other than general obligation or special assessment bonds. Each 
    borrower will be required to establish and maintain reserves sufficient 
    to assure that loan installments will be paid on time, for emergency 
    maintenance, for extensions to facilities, and for replacement of 
    short-lived assets which have a useful life significantly less than the 
    repayment period of the loan. Borrowers issuing bonds or other 
    evidences of debt pledging facility revenues as security will plan 
    their reserve to provide for at least an annual reserve equal to one-
    tenth of an average
    
    [[Page 33489]]
    
    annual loan installment each year for the life of the loan unless 
    prohibited by state law.
        (f) Membership authorization. For organizations other than public 
    bodies, the membership will authorize the project and its financing. 
    Form RD 1942-8, ``Resolution of Members or Stockholders'' may be used 
    for this authorization. The approval official may, with the concurrence 
    of OGC, accept Form RD 1942-9, ``Loan Resolution (Security Agreement)'' 
    without such membership authorization when State statutes and the 
    organization's charter and bylaws do not require such authorization; 
    and:
        (1) The organization is well established and is operating with a 
    sound financial base; or
        (2) The members of the organization have all signed an enforceable 
    user agreement with a penalty clause and have made the required 
    meaningful user cash contribution.
        (g) Insurance. The purpose of RUS's insurance requirements is to 
    protect the government's financial interest based on the facility 
    financed with loan funds. It is the responsibility of the applicant and 
    not that of RUS to assure that adequate insurance and fidelity or 
    employee dishonesty bond coverage is maintained. The requirements below 
    apply to all types of coverage determined necessary. The approval 
    official may grant exceptions to normal requirements when appropriate 
    justification is provided establishing that it is in the best interest 
    of the applicant and will not adversely affect the government's 
    interest.
        (1) Insurance requirements proposed by the applicant will be 
    accepted if the processing office determines that proposed coverage is 
    adequate to protect the government's financial interest. Applicants are 
    encouraged to have their attorney, consulting engineer, and/or 
    insurance provider(s) review proposed types and amounts of coverage, 
    including any deductible provisions.
        (2) The use of deductibles may be allowed by RUS providing the 
    applicant has financial resources which would likely be adequate to 
    cover potential claims requiring payment of the deductible.
        (3) Fidelity or employee dishonesty bonds. Applicants will provide 
    coverage for all persons who have access to funds, including persons 
    working under a contract or management agreement. Coverage may be 
    provided either for all individual positions or persons, or through 
    ``blanket'' coverage providing protection for all appropriate 
    employees. An exception may be granted by the approval official when 
    funds relating to the facility financed are handled by another entity 
    and it is determined that the entity has adequate coverage or the 
    government's interest would otherwise be adequately protected. The 
    amount of coverage required by RUS will normally approximate the total 
    annual debt service requirements for the RUS loans.
        (4) Property insurance. Fire and extended coverage will normally be 
    maintained on all structures except as noted below. Ordinarily, RUS 
    should be listed as mortgagee on the policy when RUS has a lien on the 
    property. Normally, major items of equipment or machinery located in 
    the insured structures must also be covered. Exceptions:
        (i) Reservoirs, pipelines and other structures if such structures 
    are not normally insured;
        (ii) Subsurface lift stations except for the value of electrical 
    and pumping equipment therein.
        (5) General liability insurance, including vehicular coverage.
        (6) Flood insurance required for facilities located in special 
    flood-and mudslide-prone areas.
        (7) Worker's compensation. The borrower will carry worker's 
    compensation insurance for employees in accordance with State laws.
        (h) The processing office will conduct appropriate environmental 
    reviews in accordance with RUS requirements.
        (i) The processing office will assure that appropriate forms and 
    documents listed in RUS Bulletin 1780-6 are complete. Letters of 
    conditions will not be issued unless funds are available.
    
    
    Sec. 1780.40  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 1780.41  Loan or grant approval.
    
        (a) The processing office will submit the following to the approval 
    official:
        (1) Form RD 1942-45, ``Project Summary'';
        (2) Form RD 442-7, ``Operating Budget'';
        (3) Form RD 442-3, ``Balance Sheet'' or a financial statement or 
    audit that includes a balance sheet;
        (4) Form RD 442-14, ``Association Project Fund Analysis'';
        (5) ``Letter of Conditions'';
        (6) Form RD 1942-46, ``Letter of Intent to Meet Conditions'';
        (7) Form RD 1940-1, ``Request for Obligation of Funds'';
        (8) Completed environmental review documents including copies of 
    required publication evidence; and
        (9) Grant determination, if applicable.
        (b) Approval and applicant notification will be accomplished by 
    mailing to the applicant on the obligation date a copy of Form RD 1940-
    1. The date the applicant is notified is also the date the interest 
    rate at loan approval is established.
    
    
    Sec. 1780.42  Transfer of obligations.
    
        An obligation of funds established for an applicant may be 
    transferred to a different (substituted) applicant provided:
        (a) The substituted applicant is eligible and has the authority to 
    receive the assistance approved for the original applicant; and
        (b) The need, purpose(s) and scope of the project for which RUS 
    funds will be used remain substantially unchanged.
    
    
    Sec. 1780.43  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 1780.44  Actions prior to loan or grant closing or start of 
    construction, whichever occurs first.
    
        (a) Applicants must provide evidence of adequate insurance and 
    fidelity or employee dishonesty bond coverage.
        (b) Verification of users and other funds. In connection with a 
    project that involves new users and will be secured by a pledge of user 
    fees or revenues, the processing office will authenticate the number of 
    users. Ordinarily each signed user agreement will be reviewed and 
    checked for evidence of cash contributions. If during the review any 
    indication is received that all signed users may not connect to the 
    system, there will be such additional investigation made as deemed 
    necessary to determine the number of users who will connect to the 
    system.
        (c) Initial compliance review. An initial compliance review should 
    be completed under subpart E of part 1901 of this title.
        (d) Applicant contribution. An applicant contributing funds toward 
    the project cost shall deposit these funds in its project account 
    before start of construction. Project costs paid with applicant funds 
    prior to the required deposit time shall be appropriately accounted 
    for.
        (e) Excess RUS loan and grant funds. If there is a significant 
    reduction in project cost, the applicant's funding needs will be 
    reassessed. Decreases in RUS funds will be based on revised project 
    costs and current number of users, however, other factors including RUS 
    regulations used at the time of loan or grant approval will remain the 
    same. Obligated loan or grant funds not needed to complete the proposed 
    project will be deobligated. Any reduction will be applied to grant 
    funds first. In such cases, applicable forms, the letter of conditions, 
    and other items will be revised.
    
    [[Page 33490]]
    
        (f) Evidence of and disbursement of other funds. Applicants 
    expecting funds from other sources for use in completing projects being 
    partially financed with RUS funds will present evidence of the 
    commitment of these funds from such other sources. An agreement should 
    be reached with all funding sources on how funds are to be disbursed 
    before the start of construction. RUS funds will not be used to pre-
    finance funds committed to the project from other sources.
        (g) Acquisition of land, easements, water rights, and existing 
    facilities. Applicants are responsible for acquisition of all property 
    rights necessary for the project and will determine that prices paid 
    are reasonable and fair. RUS may require an appraisal by an independent 
    appraiser or Agency employee.
        (1) Rights-of-way and easements. Applicants will obtain valid, 
    continuous and adequate rights-of-way and easements needed for the 
    construction, operation, and maintenance of the facility.
        (i) The applicant must provide a legal opinion relative to the 
    title to rights-of-way and easements. Form RD 442-22, ``Opinion of 
    Counsel Relative to Rights-of-Way,'' may be used. When a site is for 
    major structures such as a reservoir or pumping station and the 
    applicant is able to obtain only a right-of-way or easement on such a 
    site rather than a fee simple title, the applicant will furnish a title 
    report thereon by the applicant's attorney showing ownership of the 
    land and all mortgages or other lien defects, restrictions, or 
    encumbrances, if any.
        (ii) For user connections funded by RUS, applicants will obtain 
    adequate rights to construct and maintain the connection line or other 
    facilities located on the user's property. This right may be obtained 
    through formal easement or user agreements.
        (2) Title for land or existing facilities. Title to land essential 
    to the successful operation of facilities or title to facilities being 
    purchased, must not contain any restrictions that will adversely affect 
    the suitability, successful operation, security value, or 
    transferability of the facility. Preliminary and final title opinions 
    must be provided by the applicant's attorney. The opinions must be in 
    sufficient detail to assess marketability of the property. Form RD 
    1927-9, ``Preliminary Title Opinion,'' and Form RD 1927-10, ``Final 
    Title Opinion,'' may be used to provide the required title opinions.
        (i) In lieu of receiving title opinions from the applicant's 
    attorney, the applicant may use a title insurance company. If a title 
    insurance company is used, the applicant must provide the Agency a 
    title insurance binder, disclosing all title defects or restrictions, 
    and include a commitment to issue a title insurance policy. The policy 
    should be in an amount at least equal to the market value of the 
    property as improved. The title insurance binder and commitment should 
    be provided to the Agency prior to requesting closing instructions. The 
    Agency will be provided a title insurance policy which will insure 
    RUS's interest in the property without any title defects or 
    restrictions which have not been waived by the Agency.
        (ii) The approval official may waive title defects or restrictions, 
    such as utility easements, that do not adversely affect the 
    suitability, successful operation, security value, or transferability 
    of the facility.
        (3) Water rights. The following will be furnished as applicable:
        (i) A statement by the applicant's attorney regarding the nature of 
    the water rights owned or to be acquired by the applicant (such as 
    conveyance of title, appropriation and decree, application and permit, 
    public notice and appropriation and use).
        (ii) A copy of a contract with another company or municipality to 
    supply water; or stock certificates in another company which represents 
    the right to receive water.
        (4) Lease agreements. Where the right of use or control of real 
    property not owned by the applicant is essential to the successful 
    operation of the facility during the life of the loan, such right will 
    be evidenced by written agreements or contracts between the owner of 
    the property and the applicant. Lease agreements shall not contain 
    provisions for restricted use of the site of facility, forfeiture or 
    summary cancellation clauses. Lease agreements shall provide for the 
    right to transfer, encumber, assign and sub-lease without restriction. 
    Lease agreements will ordinarily be written for a term at least equal 
    to the term of the loan. Such lease contracts or agreements will be 
    approved by the approval official with the advice and counsel of OGC, 
    as necessary.
        (h) Obtaining loan closing instructions. The information required 
    by OGC will be transmitted to OGC with request for closing 
    instructions. Upon receipt of closing instructions, the processing 
    office will discuss with the applicant and its engineer, attorney, and 
    other appropriate representatives, the requirements contained therein 
    and any actions necessary to proceed with closing. State program 
    officials have the option to work with OGC to obtain waivers for 
    closing instructions in certain cases. Closing instructions are not 
    required for grants.
    
    
    Sec. 1780.45  Loan and grant closing and delivery of funds.
    
        (a) Loan closing. Notes and bonds will be completed on the date of 
    loan closing except for the entry of subsequent RUS multiple advances 
    where applicable. The amount of each note will be in multiples of not 
    less than $100. The amount of each bond will ordinarily be in multiples 
    of not less than $1,000.
        (1) Form RD 440-22, ``Promissory Note (Association or 
    Organization),'' will ordinarily be used for loans to nonpublic bodies.
        (2) Forms RD 1942-47, ``Loan Resolution (Public Bodies),'' or RD 
    1942-9, ``Loan Resolution (Security Agreement)'' will be adopted by 
    public and other-than-public bodies. These resolutions supplement other 
    provisions in this part.
        (3) Subpart D of this part contains instructions for preparation of 
    notes and bonds evidencing indebtedness of public bodies.
        (b) Loan disbursement. (1) Multiple advances. Multiple advances 
    will be used only for loans in excess of $100,000. Advances will be 
    made only as needed to cover disbursements required by the borrower 
    over a 30-day period.
        (i) Subpart D of this part contains instructions for making 
    multiple advances to public bodies.
        (ii) Advances will be requested by the borrower in writing. The 
    request should be in sufficient amounts to pay cost of construction, 
    rights-of-way and land, legal, engineering, interest, and other 
    expenses as needed. The borrower may use Form RD 440-11, ``Estimate of 
    Funds Needed for 30 Day Period Commencing XXX,'' to show the amount of 
    funds needed during the 30-day period.
        (2) RUS loan funds obligated for a specific purpose, such as the 
    paying of interest, but not needed at the time of loan closing will 
    remain in the Finance Office until needed unless State statutes require 
    all funds to be delivered to the borrower at the time of closing. Loan 
    funds may be advanced to prepay costs under Sec. 1780.9 (e)(2)(iv). If 
    all funds must be delivered to the borrower at the time of closing to 
    comply with State statutes, funds not needed at loan closing will be 
    handled as follows:
        (i) Deposited in an appropriate borrower account, such as debt 
    service or construction accounts; or
        (ii) Deposited in a joint bank account under paragraph (e)(3) of 
    this section.
        (c) Grant closing. RUS Bulletin 1780-12 ``Water or Waste System 
    Grant
    
    [[Page 33491]]
    
    Agreement'' of this part will be completed and executed in accordance 
    with the requirements of grant approval. The grant will be considered 
    closed when RUS Bulletin 1780-12 has been properly executed. Processing 
    or approval officials are authorized to sign the grant agreement on 
    behalf of RUS. For grants that supplement RUS loan funds, the grant 
    should be closed simultaneously with the closing of the loan. However, 
    when grant funds will be disbursed before loan closing, as provided in 
    paragraph (d)(1) of this section, the grant will be closed not later 
    than the delivery date of the first advance of grant funds.
        (d) Grant disbursements. RUS policy is not to disburse grant funds 
    from the Treasury until they are actually needed by the applicant. 
    Applicant funds will be disbursed before the disbursal of any RUS grant 
    funds. RUS loan funds will be disbursed before the disbursal of any RUS 
    grant funds except when:
        (1) Interim financing of the total estimated amount of loan funds 
    needed during construction is arranged; and
        (2) All interim funds have been disbursed; and
        (3) RUS grant funds are needed before the RUS loan can be closed.
        (e) Use and accountability of funds. (1) Arrangements will be 
    agreed upon for the prior concurrence by the Agency of the bills or 
    vouchers upon which warrants will be drawn. Form RD 402-2, ``Statement 
    of Deposits and Withdrawals,'' or similar form will be used by the 
    Agency to monitor funds. Periodic reviews of these accounts shall be 
    made by the Agency.
        (2) Pledge of collateral for grants to nonprofit organizations. 
    Grant funds must be deposited in a bank with Federal Deposit Insurance 
    Corporation (FDIC) insurance coverage. Also, if the balance in the 
    account containing grant funds exceeds the FDIC insurance coverage, the 
    excess amount must be collaterally secured. The pledge of collateral 
    for the excess will be in accordance with Treasury Circular 176.
        (3) Joint RUS/borrower bank account. RUS funds and any funds 
    furnished by the borrower including contributions to purchase major 
    items of equipment, machinery, and furnishings will be deposited in a 
    joint RUS/borrower bank account if determined necessary by the approval 
    official. When RUS has a Memorandum of Understanding with another 
    agency that provides for the use of joint RUS/borrower accounts, or 
    when RUS is the primary source of funds for a project and has 
    determined that the use of a joint RUS/borrower bank account is 
    necessary, project funds from other sources may also be deposited in 
    the joint bank account. RUS shall not be accountable to the source of 
    the other funds nor shall RUS undertake responsibility to administer 
    the funding program of the other entity. Joint RUS/borrower bank 
    accounts should not be used for funds advanced by an interim lender. 
    When funds exceeds the FDIC insurance coverage, the excess must have a 
    pledge of collateral in accordance with Treasury Circular 176.
        (4) Payment for project costs. Project costs will be monitored by 
    the RUS processing office. Invoices will be approved by the borrower 
    and their engineer, as appropriate, and submitted to the processing 
    office for concurrence. The review and acceptance of project costs, 
    including construction pay estimates, by RUS does not attest to the 
    correctness of the amounts, the quantities shown or that the work has 
    been performed under the terms of the agreements or contracts.
        (f) Use of remaining funds. Funds remaining after all costs 
    incident to the basic project have been paid or provided for will not 
    include applicant contributions. Funds remaining, may be considered in 
    direct proportion to the amounts obtained from each source. Remaining 
    funds will be handled as follows:
        (1) Remaining funds may be used for eligible loan or grant 
    purposes, provided the use will not result in major changes to the 
    facility(s) and the purpose of the loan and grant remains the same;
        (2) RUS loan funds that are not needed will be applied as an extra 
    payment on the RUS indebtedness unless other disposition is required by 
    the bond ordinance, resolution, or State statute; and
        (3) Grant funds not expended under paragraph (f)(1) of this section 
    will be canceled. Prior to the actual cancellation, the borrower, its 
    attorney and its engineer will be notified of RUS's intent to cancel 
    the remaining funds. The applicant will be given appropriate appeal 
    rights.
        (g) Post review of loan closing. In order to determine that the 
    loan has been properly closed the loan docket will be reviewed by OGC. 
    The State program official has the option to consult with OGC to obtain 
    waivers of this review.
    
    
    Sec. 1780.46  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 1780.47  Borrower accounting methods, management reporting and 
    audits.
    
        (a) Borrowers are required to provide RUS an annual audit or 
    financial statements.
        (b) Method of accounting and preparation of financial statements. 
    Annual organization-wide financial statements must be prepared on the 
    accrual basis of accounting, in accordance with generally accepted 
    accounting principles (GAAP), unless State statutes or regulatory 
    agencies provide otherwise, or an exception is granted by the Agency. 
    An organization may maintain its accounting records on a basis other 
    than accrual accounting, and make the necessary adjustments so that 
    annual financial statements are presented on the accrual basis.
        (c) Record retention. Each borrower shall retain all records, 
    books, and supporting material for 3 years after the issuance of the 
    audit or management reports. Upon request, this material will be made 
    available to RUS, Office of the Inspector General (OIG), United States 
    Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Comptroller General, or to their 
    assignees.
        (d) Audits. All audits are to be performed in accordance with the 
    latest revision of the generally accepted government auditing standards 
    (GAGAS), developed by the Comptroller General of the United States. In 
    addition, the audits are also to be performed in accordance with 
    various Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circulars. The type of 
    audit each borrower is required to submit will be designated by RUS. 
    Further guidance on preparing an acceptable audit can be obtained from 
    RUS. It is not intended that audits required by this part be separate 
    and apart from audits performed in accordance with State and local 
    laws. To the extent feasible, the audit work should be done in 
    conjunction with those audits. Audits shall be annual unless otherwise 
    prohibited and supplied to the processing office as soon as possible 
    but in no event later than 150 days following the period covered by the 
    audit. OMB Circulars are available in any USDA/RUS office.
        (e) Borrowers exempt from audits. All borrowers who are exempt from 
    audits, will, within 60 days following the end of each fiscal year, 
    furnish the RUS with annual financial statements, consisting of a 
    verification of the organization's balance sheet and statement of 
    income and expense by an appropriate official of the organization. 
    Forms RD 442-2, ``Statement of Budget, Income and Equity,'' and 442-3 
    may be used.
        (f) Management reports. These reports will furnish management with 
    a means of evaluating prior decisions and serve as a basis for planning 
    future operations and financial strategies. In those cases where 
    revenues from multiple sources are pledged as security for an RUS loan, 
    two reports will be required; one for the
    
    [[Page 33492]]
    
    project being financed by RUS and one combining the entire operation of 
    the borrower. In those cases where RUS loans are secured by general 
    obligation bonds or assessments and the borrower combines revenues from 
    all sources, one management report combining all such revenues is 
    acceptable. The following management data will be submitted by the 
    borrower to the processing office. These reports at a minimum will 
    include a balance sheet and income and expense statement.
        (1) Quarterly reports. A quarterly management report will be 
    required for the first year for new borrowers and for all borrowers 
    experiencing financial or management problems for one year from the 
    date problems were noted. If the borrower's account is current at the 
    end of the year, the processing office may waive the required reports.
        (2) Annual management reports. Prior to the beginning of each 
    fiscal year the following will be submitted to the processing office. 
    (If Form RD 442-2 is used as the annual management report, enter data 
    in column three only of Schedule 1, and complete all of Schedule 2.)
        (i) Two copies of the management reports and proposed ``Annual 
    Budget''.
        (ii) Financial information may be reported on Form RD 442-2 which 
    includes Schedule 1, ``Statement of Budget, Income and Equity'' and 
    Schedule 2, ``Projected Cash Flow'' or information in similar format.
        (iii) A copy of the rate schedule in effect at the time of 
    submission.
        (g) Substitute for management reports. When RUS loans are secured 
    by the general obligation of the public body or tax assessments which 
    total 100 percent of the debt service requirements, the State program 
    official may authorize an annual audit to substitute for other 
    management reports if the audit is received within 150 days following 
    the period covered by the audit.
    
    
    Sec. 1780.48  Regional commission grants.
    
        Grants are sometimes made by regional commissions for projects 
    eligible for RUS assistance. RUS has agreed to administer such funds in 
    a manner similar to administering RUS assistance.
        (a) When RUS has funds in the project, no charge will be made for 
    administering regional commission funds.
        (b) When RUS has no loan or grant funds in the project, an 
    administrative charge will be made pursuant to the Economy Act of 1932, 
    as amended (31 U.S.C. 1535). A fee of 5 percent of the first $50,000 of 
    a regional commission grant and 1 percent of any amount over $50,000 
    will be paid RUS by the commission.
        (1) Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). RUS Bulletin 1780-23 
    will be followed in determining the responsibilities of RUS. The ARC 
    Federal Co-chairman and the State program official will provide each 
    other with the necessary notification and certification.
        (2) Other regional commissions. Title V of the Public Works and 
    Economic Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3121 et seq.) authorizes 
    other commissions similar to ARC. RUS Bulletin 1780-23 will be used to 
    develop a separate project management agreement between RUS and the 
    commission for each project. The agreement should be prepared by the 
    State program official as soon as notification is received that a 
    commission grant will be made and the amount is confirmed.
        (c) Regional commission grants should be obligated as soon as 
    possible in accordance with Sec. 1780.41, except that the announcement 
    procedure referred to in RUS Staff Instruction 1780-2 is not 
    applicable. Regional commission grants will be disbursed from the 
    Finance Office in the same manner as RUS funds.
    
    
    Sec. 1780.49  Rural or Native Alaskan villages.
    
        (a) General. (1) This section contains regulations for providing 
    grants to remedy the dire sanitation conditions in rural Alaskan 
    villages using funds specifically made available for this purpose.
        (2) Unless specifically modified by this section, grants will be 
    made, processed, and serviced in accordance with this subpart.
        (b) Definitions--(1) Dire sanitation condition. For the purpose of 
    this section a dire sanitation condition exists where:
        (i) Recurring instances of a waterborne communicable disease have 
    been documented; or
        (ii) No community-wide water and sewer system exists and individual 
    residents must haul water to or human waste from their homes and/or use 
    pit privies.
        (2) Rural or Native Alaskan village. A rural or Native Alaskan 
    community which meets the definition of a village under State statutes 
    and does not have a population in excess of 10,000 inhabitants, 
    according to the latest decennial Census of the United States.
        (c) Eligibility. (1) The applicant must be a rural or Native 
    Alaskan village.
        (2) The median household income of the village cannot exceed 110 
    percent of the statewide nonmetropolitan household income.
        (3) A dire sanitation condition must exist in the village.
        (4) The applicant must obtain 50 percent of project development 
    costs from State or local contributions. The local contribution can be 
    from loan funds authorized under this part.
        (d) Grant amount. Grants will be made for up to 50 percent of the 
    project development costs.
        (e) Use of funds. Grant funds can be used to pay reasonable costs 
    associated with providing potable water or waste disposal services to 
    residents of rural or Native Alaskan villages.
        (f) Construction. (1) If the State of Alaska is contributing to the 
    project costs, the project does not have to meet the construction 
    requirements of this subpart.
        (2) If a loan is made in accordance with this part for part of the 
    local contribution, all of the requirements of this part apply.
    
    
    Secs. 1780.50-1780.52  [Reserved]
    
    Subpart C--Planning, Designing, Bidding, Contracting, Constructing 
    and Inspections
    
    
    Sec. 1780.53  General.
    
        This subpart is specifically designed for use by owners including 
    the professional or technical consultants or agents who provide 
    assistance and services such as engineering, environmental, inspection, 
    financial, legal or other services related to planning, designing, 
    bidding, contracting, and constructing water and waste disposal 
    facilities. These procedures do not relieve the owner of the 
    contractual obligations that arise from the procurement of these 
    services. For this subpart, an owner is defined as an applicant, 
    borrower, or grantee.
    
    
    Sec. 1780.54  Technical services.
    
        Owners are responsible for providing the engineering, architect and 
    environmental services necessary for planning, designing, bidding, 
    contracting, inspecting, and constructing their facilities. Services 
    may be provided by the owner's ``in house'' engineer or architect or 
    through contract, subject to Agency concurrence. Engineers and 
    architects must be licensed in the State where the facility is to be 
    constructed.
    
    
    Sec. 1780.55  Preliminary engineering reports.
    
        Preliminary engineering reports (PER)s must conform with customary 
    professional standards. PER guidelines for water, sanitary sewer, solid 
    waste,
    
    [[Page 33493]]
    
    and storm sewer are available from the Agency.
    
    
    Sec. 1780.56  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 1780.57  Design policies.
    
        Facilities financed by the Agency will be designed and constructed 
    in accordance with sound engineering practices, and must meet the 
    requirements of Federal, State and local agencies.
        (a) Environmental review. Facilities financed by the Agency must 
    undergo an environmental impact analysis in accordance with RUS 
    requirements. Facility planning and design must not only be responsive 
    to the owner's needs but must consider the environmental impacts of the 
    proposed project. Facility designs shall incorporate and integrate, 
    where practicable, mitigation measures that avoid or minimize adverse 
    environmental impacts. Environmental reviews serve as a means of 
    assessing environmental impacts of project proposals, rather than 
    justifying decisions already made. Applicants may not take any action 
    on a project proposal that will have an adverse environmental impact or 
    limit the choice of reasonable project alternatives being reviewed 
    prior to the completion of the Agency's environmental review.
        (b) Architectural barriers. All facilities intended for or 
    accessible to the public or in which physically handicapped persons may 
    be employed must be developed in compliance with the Architectural 
    Barriers Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4151 et seq.) as implemented by 41 CFR 
    101-19.6, section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C 1474 
    et seq.) as implemented by 7 CFR parts 15 and 15b, and Titles II and 
    III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et 
    seq.).
        (c) Energy/environment. Facility design should consider cost 
    effective energy-efficient and environmentally-sound products and 
    services.
        (d) Fire protection. Water facilities should have sufficient 
    capacity to provide reasonable fire protection to the extent 
    practicable.
        (e) Growth capacity. Facilities should have sufficient capacity to 
    provide for reasonable growth to the extent practicable.
        (f) Water conservation. Owners are encouraged, when economically 
    feasible, to incorporate water conservation practices into a facility's 
    design. For existing water systems, evidence must be provided showing 
    that the distribution system water losses do not exceed reasonable 
    levels.
        (g) Conformity with state drinking water standards. No funds shall 
    be made available under this part for a water system unless the Agency 
    determines that the water system will make significant progress toward 
    meeting the standards established under title XIV of the Public Health 
    Service Act (commonly known as the `Safe Drinking Water Act') (42 
    U.S.C. 300f et seq.).
        (h) Conformity with federal and state water pollution control 
    standards. No funds shall be made available under this part for a water 
    treatment discharge or waste disposal system unless the Agency 
    determines that the effluent from the system conforms with applicable 
    Federal and State water pollution control standards.
        (i) Combined sewers. New combined sanitary and storm water sewer 
    facilities will not be financed by the Agency. Extensions to existing 
    combined systems can only be financed when separate systems are 
    impractical.
        (j) Dam safety. Projects involving any artificial barrier which 
    impounds or diverts water, or the rehabilitation or improvement of such 
    a barrier, must comply with the provisions for dam safety as set forth 
    in the Federal Guidelines for Dam Safety (Government Printing Office 
    stock No. 041-001-00187-5, Superintendent of Documents, Attn: New 
    Orders, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954) as prepared by the 
    Federal Coordinating Council for Science, Engineering and Technology.
        (k) Pipe. All pipe used shall meet current American Society for 
    Testing Materials (ASTM) or American Water Works Association (AWWA) 
    standards.
        (l) Water system testing. For new water systems or extensions to 
    existing water systems, leakage shall not exceed limits set by either 
    ASTM or AWWA whichever is the more stringent.
        (m) Metering devices. Water facilities financed by the Agency will 
    have metering devices for each connection. An exception to this 
    requirement may be granted by the State program official when the owner 
    demonstrates that installation of metering devices would be a 
    significant economic detriment and that environmental considerations 
    would not be adversely affected by not installing such devices. 
    Sanitary sewer projects should incorporate water system metering 
    devices whenever practicable.
        (n) Economical service. The facility's design must provide the most 
    economical service practicable.
    
    
    Secs. 1780.58-1780.60  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 1780.61  Construction contracts.
    
        Contract documents must be sufficiently descriptive and legally 
    binding in order to accomplish the work as economically and 
    expeditiously as possible.
        (a) Standard construction contract documents. If the construction 
    contract documents utilized are not in the format previously approved 
    by the Agency, OGC's review of the construction contract documents will 
    be obtained prior to their use.
        (b) Contract review and concurrence. The owner's attorney will 
    review the executed contract documents, including performance and 
    payment bonds, and will certify that they are adequate, and that the 
    persons executing these documents have been properly authorized to do 
    so. The contract documents, engineer's recommendation for award, and 
    bid tabulation sheets will be forwarded to the Agency for concurrence 
    prior to awarding the contract. All contracts will contain a provision 
    that they are not effective until they have been concurred in by the 
    Agency. The State program official or designee is responsible for 
    concurring in construction contracts with the legal advice and guidance 
    of the OGC when necessary.
    
    
    Sec. 1780.62  Utility purchase contracts.
    
        Applicants proposing to purchase water or other utility service 
    from private or public sources shall have written contracts for supply 
    or service which are reviewed and concurred in by the Agency. To the 
    extent practical, the Agency review and concurrence of such contracts 
    should take place prior to their execution by the owner. OGC advice and 
    guidance may be requested. Form RD 442-30, ``Water Purchase Contract,'' 
    may be used when appropriate. If the Agency loan will be repaid from 
    system revenues, the contract will be pledged to the Agency as part of 
    the security for the loan. Such contracts will:
        (a) Include a commitment by the supplier to furnish, at a specified 
    point, an adequate quantity of water or other service and provide that, 
    in case of shortages, all of the supplier's users will proportionately 
    share shortages.
        (b) Set out the ownership and maintenance responsibilities of the 
    respective parties including the master meter if a meter is installed 
    at the point of delivery.
        (c) Specify the initial rates and provide a type of escalator 
    clause which will permit rates for the association to be raised or 
    lowered proportionately as certain specified rates for the supplier's 
    regular customers are raised or lowered. Provisions may be made for 
    altering rates in accordance with the decisions of the appropriate 
    State agency which may have regulatory authority.
    
    [[Page 33494]]
    
        (d) Cover period of time which is at least equal to the repayment 
    period of the loan. State program officials may approve contracts for 
    shorter periods of time if the supplier cannot legally contract for 
    such period, or if the owner and supplier find it impossible or 
    impractical to negotiate a contract for the maximum period permissible 
    under State law, provided:
        (1) The supplier is subject to regulations of the Federal Energy 
    Regulatory Commission or other Federal or State agency whose 
    jurisdiction can be expected to prevent unwarranted curtailment of 
    supply; or
        (2) The contract contains adequate provisions for renewal; or
        (3) A determination is made that in the event the contract is 
    terminated, there are or will be other adequate sources available to 
    the owner that can feasibly be developed or purchased.
        (e) Set out in detail the amount of connection or demand charges, 
    if any, to be made by the supplier as a condition to making the service 
    available to the owner. However, the payment of such charges from loan 
    funds shall not be approved unless the Agency determines that it is 
    more feasible and economical for the owner to pay such a connection 
    charge than it is for the owner to provide the necessary supply by 
    other means.
        (f) Provide for a pledge of the contract to the Agency as part of 
    the security for the loan.
        (g) Not contain provisions for:
        (1) Construction of facilities which will be owned by the supplier. 
    This does not preclude the use of money paid as a connection charge for 
    construction to be done by the supplier.
        (2) Options for the future sale or transfer. This does not preclude 
    an agreement recognizing that the supplier and owner may at some future 
    date agree to a sale of all or a portion of the facility.
        (h) If it is impossible to obtain a firm commitment for either an 
    adequate quantity or sharing shortages proportionately, a contract may 
    be executed and concurred in provided adequate evidence is furnished to 
    enable the Agency to make a determination that the supplier has 
    adequate supply and/or treatment facilities to furnish its other users 
    and the applicant for the foreseeable future; and:
        (1) The supplier is subject to regulations of the Federal Energy 
    Regulatory Commission or other Federal or State agency whose 
    jurisdiction can be expected to prevent unwarranted curtailment of 
    supply; or
        (2) A suitable alternative supply could be arranged within the 
    repayment ability of the borrower if it should become necessary; or
        (3) Concurrence in the proposed contract is obtained from the 
    National Office.
    
    
    Sec. 1780.63  Sewage treatment and bulk water sales contracts.
    
        Owners entering into agreements with private or public parties to 
    treat sewage or supply bulk water shall have written contracts for such 
    service and all such contracts shall be subject to the Agency 
    concurrence. Section 1780.62 should be used as a guide to prepare such 
    contracts.
    
    
    Secs. 1780.64-1780.66  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 1780.67  Performing construction.
    
        Owners are encouraged to accomplish construction through contracts 
    with qualified contractors. Owners may accomplish construction by using 
    their own personnel and equipment provided the owners possess the 
    necessary skills, abilities and resources to perform the work and 
    provided a licensed engineer prepares design drawings and 
    specifications and inspects construction and furnishes inspection 
    reports as required by Sec. 1780.76. Inspection services may be 
    provided by individuals as approved by the State staff engineer. 
    Payments for construction will be handled under Sec. 1780.76(e).
    
    
    Sec. 1780.68  Owner's contractual responsibility.
    
        This part does not relieve the owner of any responsibilities under 
    its contract. The owner is responsible for the settlement of all 
    contractual and administrative issues arising out of procurement 
    entered into in support of a loan or grant. These include, but are not 
    limited to: source evaluation, protests, disputes, and claims. Matters 
    concerning violation of laws are to be referred to the applicable 
    local, State, or Federal authority.
    
    
    Sec. 1780.69  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 1780.70  Owner's procurement regulations.
    
        Owner's procurement requirements must comply with the following 
    standards:
        (a) Code of conduct. Owners shall maintain a written code or 
    standards of conduct which shall govern the performance of their 
    officers, employees or agents engaged in the award and administration 
    of contracts supported by Agency funds. No employee, officer or agent 
    of the owner shall participate in the selection, award, or 
    administration of a contract supported by Agency funds if a conflict of 
    interest, real or apparent, would be involved. Examples of such 
    conflicts would arise when: the employee, officer or agent; any member 
    of their immediate family; their partner; or an organization which 
    employs, or is about to employ, any of the above; has a financial or 
    other interest in the firm selected for the award.
        (1) The owner's officers, employees or agents shall neither solicit 
    nor accept gratuities, favors or anything of monetary value from 
    contractors, potential contractors, or parties to subagreements.
        (2) To the extent permitted by State or local law or regulations, 
    the owner's standards of conduct shall provide for penalties, 
    sanctions, or other disciplinary actions for violations of such 
    standards by the owner's officers, employees, agents, or by contractors 
    or their agents.
        (b) Maximum open and free competition. All procurement 
    transactions, regardless of whether by sealed bids or by negotiation 
    and without regard to dollar value, shall be conducted in a manner that 
    provides maximum open and free competition. Procurement procedures 
    shall not restrict or eliminate competition. Examples of what are 
    considered to be restrictive of competition include, but are not 
    limited to: placing unreasonable requirements on firms in order for 
    them to qualify to do business; noncompetitive practices between firms; 
    organizational conflicts of interest; and unnecessary experience and 
    bonding requirements. In specifying materials, the owner and its 
    consultant will consider all materials normally suitable for the 
    project commensurate with sound engineering practices and project 
    requirements. The Agency shall consider fully any recommendation made 
    by the owner concerning the technical design and choice of materials to 
    be used for a facility. If the Agency determines that a design or 
    material, other than those that were recommended should be considered 
    by including them in the procurement process as an acceptable design or 
    material in the water or waste disposal facility, the Agency shall 
    provide such owner with a comprehensive justification for such a 
    determination. The justification will be documented in writing.
        (c) Owner's review. Proposed procurement actions shall be reviewed 
    by the owner's officials to avoid the purchase of unnecessary or 
    duplicate items. Consideration should be given to consolidation or 
    separation of procurement items to obtain a more
    
    [[Page 33495]]
    
    economical purchase. Where appropriate, an analysis shall be made of 
    lease versus purchase alternatives, and any other appropriate analysis 
    to determine which approach would be the most economical. To foster 
    greater economy and efficiency, owners are encouraged to enter into 
    State and local intergovernmental agreements for procurement or use of 
    common goods and services.
        (d) Solicitation of offers, whether by competitive sealed bid or 
    competitive negotiation, shall:
        (1) Incorporate a clear and accurate description of the technical 
    requirements for the material, product or service to be procured. When 
    it is impractical or uneconomical to make a clear and accurate 
    description of the technical requirements, a ``brand name or equal'' 
    description may be used to define the performance or other salient 
    requirements of a procurement. The specific feature of the name brands 
    which must be met by the offeror shall be clearly stated; and
        (2) Clearly specify all requirements which offerors must fulfill 
    and all other factors to be used in evaluating bids or proposals.
        (e) Affirmative steps should be taken to assure that small, 
    minority, and women businesses are utilized when possible as sources of 
    supplies, equipment, construction and services.
        (f) Contract pricing. Cost plus a percentage of cost method of 
    contracting shall not be used.
        (g) Unacceptable bidders. The following will not be allowed to bid 
    on, or negotiate for, a contract or subcontract related to the 
    construction of the project:
        (1) An engineer as an individual or firm who has prepared plans and 
    specifications or who will be responsible for monitoring the 
    construction;
        (2) Any firm or corporation in which the owner's engineer is an 
    officer, employee, or holds or controls a substantial interest;
        (3) The governing body's officers, employees, or agents;
        (4) Any member of the immediate family or partners in the entities 
    referred to in paragraphs (g)(1), (g)(2) or (g)(3) of this section; or
        (5) An organization which employs, or is about to employ, any 
    person in the entities referred to in paragraphs (g)(1), (g)(2), (g)(3) 
    or (g)(4) of this section.
        (h) Contract award. Contracts shall be made only with responsible 
    parties possessing the potential ability to perform successfully under 
    the terms and conditions of a proposed procurement. Consideration shall 
    include but not be limited to matters such as integrity, record of past 
    performance, financial and technical resources, and accessibility to 
    other necessary resources. Contracts shall not be made with parties who 
    are suspended or debarred by any Agency of the United States 
    Government.
    
    
    Sec. 1780.71  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 1780.72  Procurement methods.
    
        Procurement shall be made by one of the following methods: Small 
    purchase procedures; competitive sealed bids (formal advertising); 
    competitive negotiation; or noncompetitive negotiation. Competitive 
    sealed bids (formal advertising) is the preferred procurement method 
    for construction contracts.
        (a) Small purchase procedures. Small purchase procedures are those 
    relatively simple and informal procurement methods that are sound and 
    appropriate for a procurement of services, supplies or other property, 
    costing in the aggregate not more than $100,000. If small purchase 
    procedures are used for a procurement, written price or rate quotations 
    shall be requested from at least three qualified sources.
        (b) Competitive sealed bids. In competitive sealed bids (formal 
    advertising), an invitation for sealed bids is publicly advertised and 
    a firm-fixed-price contract (lump sum or unit price) is awarded to the 
    responsible bidder whose bid, conforming with all the material terms 
    and conditions of the invitation for bids, is lowest, price and other 
    factors considered. When using this method the following shall apply:
        (1) The invitation for bids shall be publicly advertised at a 
    sufficient time prior to the date set for opening of bids. The 
    invitation shall comply with the requirements in Sec. 1780.70(d). Bids 
    shall be solicited from an adequate number of qualified sources;
        (2) All bids shall be opened publicly at the time and place stated 
    in the invitation for bids;
        (3) A firm-fixed-price contract award shall be made by written 
    notice to that responsible bidder whose bid, conforming to the 
    invitation for bids, is lowest. When specified in the bidding 
    documents, factors such as discounts and transportation costs shall be 
    considered in determining which bid is lowest; and
        (4) Any or all bids may be rejected by the owner when it is in its 
    best interest.
        (c) Competitive negotiation. In competitive negotiations, proposals 
    are requested from a number of sources and the Request for Proposal is 
    publicized. Negotiations are normally conducted with more than one of 
    the sources submitting offers. Competitive negotiation may be used if 
    conditions are not appropriate for the use of formal advertising and 
    where discussions and bargaining with a view to reaching agreement on 
    the technical quality, price, other terms of the proposed contract and 
    specifications may be necessary. If competitive negotiation is used for 
    a procurement, the following requirements shall apply:
        (1) Proposals shall be solicited from an adequate number of 
    qualified sources to permit reasonable competition consistent with the 
    nature and requirements of the Procurement. The Request for Proposal 
    shall be publicized and reasonable requests by other sources to compete 
    shall be honored to the maximum extent practicable;
        (2) The Request for Proposal shall identify all significant 
    evaluation factors and their relative importance;
        (3) The owner shall provide mechanisms for technical evaluation of 
    the proposals received, determination of responsible offerors for the 
    purpose of written or oral discussions, and selection for contract 
    award; and
        (4) Award may be made to the responsible offeror whose proposal 
    will be most advantageous to the owner. Unsuccessful offerors should be 
    promptly notified.
        (d) Noncompetitive negotiation. Noncompetitive negotiation is 
    procurement through solicitation of a proposal from only one source, or 
    after solicitation of a number of sources, competition is determined 
    inadequate. Noncompetitive negotiation may be used when the award of a 
    contract is not feasible under small purchase or competitive sealed 
    bids. Circumstances under which a contract may be awarded by 
    noncompetitive negotiations are limited to the following:
        (1) The item is available only from a single source; or
        (2) There exists a public exigency or emergency and the urgency for 
    the requirement will not permit a delay incident to competitive 
    solicitation; or
        (3) After solicitation of a number of sources, competition is 
    determined inadequate; or
        (4) No acceptable bids have been received after formal advertising; 
    or
        (5) The procurement is for professional services; or
        (6) The aggregate amount does not exceed $100,000.
    
    
    Sec. 1780.73  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 1780.74  Contracts awarded prior to applications.
    
        Owners awarding construction or other procurement contracts prior 
    to
    
    [[Page 33496]]
    
    filing an application, must provide evidence that is satisfactory to 
    the Agency that the contract was entered into without intent to 
    circumvent the requirements of Agency regulations.
        (a) Modifications. The contract shall be modified to conform with 
    the provisions of this part. Where this is not possible, modifications 
    will be made to the extent practicable and, as a minimum, the contract 
    must comply with all State and local laws and regulations as well as 
    statutory requirements and executive orders related to the Agency 
    financing. When all construction is complete and it is impracticable to 
    modify the contracts, the owner must provide the certification required 
    by paragraph (c) of this section.
        (b) Consultant's certification. Provide a certification by an 
    engineer, licensed in the State where the facility is constructed, that 
    any construction performed complies fully with the plans and 
    specifications.
        (c) Owner's certification. Provide a certification by the owner 
    that the contractor has complied with applicable statutory and 
    executive requirements related to Agency financing for construction 
    already performed.
    
    
    Sec. 1780.75  Contract provisions.
    
        In addition to provisions required for a valid and legally binding 
    contract, any recipient of Agency funds shall include the following 
    contract provisions in all contracts.
        (a) Remedies. Contracts other than small purchases shall contain 
    provisions or conditions which will allow for administrative, 
    contractual, or legal remedies in instances where contractors violate 
    or breach contract terms, and provide for such sanctions and penalties 
    as may be appropriate. A realistic liquidated damage provision should 
    be included in all contracts for construction.
        (b) Termination. All contracts exceeding $10,000, shall contain 
    suitable provisions for termination by the owner including the manner 
    by which it will be effected and the basis for settlement. In addition, 
    such contracts shall describe conditions under which the contract may 
    be terminated for default as well as conditions where the contract may 
    be terminated because of circumstances beyond the control of the 
    contractor.
        (c) Surety. In all contracts for construction or facility 
    improvements exceeding $100,000, the owner shall require bonds or cash 
    deposit in escrow assuring performance and payment each in the amount 
    of 100 percent of the contract cost. The surety will be in the form of 
    performance bonds and payment bonds. For contracts of lesser amounts, 
    the owner may require surety. When a surety is not provided, 
    contractors will furnish evidence of payment in full for all materials, 
    labor, and any other items procured under the contract. Form RD 1924-
    10, ``Release by Claimants,'' and Form RD 1924-9, ``Certificate of 
    Contractor's Release,'' may be used for this purpose. Companies 
    providing performance bonds and payment bonds must hold a certificate 
    of authority as an acceptable surety on Federal bonds as listed in 
    Treasury Circular 570 as amended and the surety must be listed as 
    having a license to do business in the State where the facility is 
    located.
        (d) Equal employment opportunity. All contracts awarded in excess 
    of $10,000 by owners shall contain a provision requiring compliance 
    with Executive Order 11246 (3 CFR, 1966 Comp., p.339), entitled, 
    ``Equal Employment Opportunity,'' as amended by Executive Order 11375 
    (3 CFR, 1968 Comp., p. 321), and as supplemented by Department of Labor 
    regulations 41 CFR chapter 60.
        (e) Anti-kickback. All contracts for construction shall include a 
    provision for compliance with the Copeland ``Anti-Kickback'' Act (18 
    U.S.C. 874). This Act provides that each contractor shall be prohibited 
    from inducing, by any means, any person employed in the construction, 
    completion, or repair of public work, to give up any part of the 
    compensation to which they are otherwise entitled. The owner shall 
    report suspected or reported violations to the Agency.
        (f) Records. All negotiated contracts (except those of $10,000 or 
    less) awarded by owners shall include a provision to the effect that 
    the owner, the Agency, the Comptroller General of the United States, or 
    any of their duly authorized representatives, shall have access to any 
    books, documents, papers, and records of the contractor which are 
    directly pertinent to a specific Federal loan or grant program for the 
    purpose of making audits, examinations, excerpts, and transcriptions. 
    Owners shall require contractors to maintain all required records for 3 
    years after making final payment and all other pending matters are 
    closed.
        (g) State energy conservation plan. Contracts shall incorporate 
    mandatory standards and policies relating to energy efficiency which 
    are contained in the State energy conservation plan issued in 
    compliance with the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 
    6201).
        (h) Change orders. The construction contract shall require that all 
    contract change orders be concurred in by the Agency.
        (i) Agency concurrence. All contracts must contain a provision that 
    they shall not be effective unless and until the State program official 
    or designee concurs in writing.
        (j) Retainage. All construction contracts shall contain adequate 
    provisions for retainage. No payments will be made that would deplete 
    the retainage nor place in escrow any funds that are required for 
    retainage nor invest the retainage for the benefit of the contractor. 
    The retainage shall not be less than an amount equal to 5 percent of an 
    approved partial payment estimate until the project is substantially 
    complete and accepted by the owner, consulting engineer and Agency. The 
    contract must provide that additional amounts may be retained if the 
    job is not proceeding satisfactorily.
        (k) Other compliance requirements. Contracts in excess of $100,000 
    shall contain a provision which requires compliance with all applicable 
    standards, orders, or requirements issued under section 306 of the 
    Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 1857(h)), section 508 of the Clean Water Act 
    (33 U.S.C. 1368), Executive Order 11738 (3 CFR, 1974 Comp., p.209), and 
    Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations 40 CFR part 15, which 
    prohibit the use under non-exempt Federal contracts, grants or loans of 
    facilities included on the EPA List of Violating Facilities. The 
    provision shall require reporting of violations to the Agency and to 
    the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Assistant Administrator for 
    Enforcement. Solicitations and contract provisions shall include the 
    requirements of 4 CFR 15.4(c) as set forth in RUS Bulletin 1780-14.
    
    
    Sec. 1780.76  Contract administration.
    
        Owners shall be responsible for maintaining a contract 
    administration system to monitor the contractors' performance and 
    compliance with the terms, conditions, and specifications of the 
    contracts.
        (a) Preconstruction conference. Prior to beginning construction, 
    the owner will schedule a preconstruction conference where the 
    consulting engineer will review the planned development with the 
    Agency, owner, resident inspector, attorney, contractor, and other 
    interested parties. The conference will thoroughly cover applicable 
    items included in Form RD 1924-16, ``Record of Pre-construction 
    Conference,'' and the discussions and agreements will be documented.
        (b) Monitoring reports. The owner is required to monitor 
    construction and
    
    [[Page 33497]]
    
    provide a report to the Agency giving a full explanation under the 
    following circumstances:
        (1) Reasons why approved construction schedules were not met;
        (2) Analysis and explanation of cost overruns and how payment is to 
    be made for the same; and
        (3) If events occur which have a significant impact upon the 
    project.
        (c) Inspection. Full-time resident inspection is required for all 
    construction unless a written exception is made by the Agency upon 
    written request of the owner. Unless otherwise agreed, the resident 
    inspector will be provided by the consulting engineer. Prior to the 
    preconstruction conference, the consulting engineer will submit a 
    resume of qualifications of the resident inspector to the owner and to 
    the Agency for acceptance in writing. If the owner provides the 
    resident inspector, it must submit a resume of the inspector's 
    qualifications to the project engineer for comments and the Agency for 
    acceptance in writing prior to the preconstruction conference. The 
    resident inspector will work under the technical supervision of the 
    project engineer and the role and responsibilities will be defined in 
    writing.
        (d) Inspector's daily diary. The resident inspector will maintain a 
    record of the daily construction progress in the form of a daily diary 
    and daily inspection reports. The daily entries shall be made available 
    to the Agency personnel and will be reviewed during project 
    inspections. The original complete set will be furnished to the owner 
    upon completion of construction. RUS Bulletin 1780-18 is available from 
    the Agency for preparing daily inspection reports or the reports can be 
    provided in other formats approved by the State staff engineer.
        (e) Payment for Construction. Form RD 1924-18, ``Partial Payment 
    Estimate,'' or other similar form may be used for construction 
    payments. If Form 1924-18 is not used, prior concurrence by the State 
    staff engineer must be obtained.
        (1) Payment of contract retainage will not be made until such 
    retainage is due and payable under the terms of the contact.
        (2) Invoices for the payment of construction costs must be approved 
    by the owner, project engineer and concurred in by the Agency.
        (3) The review and acceptance of project costs, including 
    construction payment estimates by the Agency shall not attest to the 
    correctness of the amounts, the quantities shown, or that the work has 
    been performed under the terms of agreements or contracts.
        (f) Prefinal inspections. A prefinal inspection will be made by the 
    owner, resident inspector, project engineer, contractor, 
    representatives of other agencies involved, and Agency representative 
    (preferably the State staff engineer or designee). The inspection 
    results will be recorded by the project engineer and a copy provided to 
    all interested parties.
        (g) Final inspection. A final inspection will be made by the Agency 
    before final payment is made.
        (h) Changes in development plans. (1) Changes in development plans 
    shall be reviewed and approved by the Agency provided:
        (i) Funds are available to cover any additional costs; and
        (ii) The change is for an authorized loan or grant purpose; and
        (iii) It will not adversely affect the soundness of the facility 
    operation or the Agency's security; and
        (iv) The change is within the scope of the contract,
        (2) Changes will be recorded on Form RD 1924-7, ``Contract Change 
    Order,'' or other similar form if approved by the State program 
    official or designee. Regardless of the form, change orders must be 
    approved by the State program official or designee.
        (3) Changes should be accomplished only after Agency approval and 
    shall be authorized only by means of contract change order. The change 
    order will include items such as:
        (i) Any changes in labor and material;
        (ii) Changes in facility design;
        (iii) Any decrease or increase in quantities based on final 
    measurements that are different from those shown in the bidding 
    schedule; and
        (iv) Any increase or decrease in the time to complete the project.
        (4) All changes shall be recorded on chronologically numbered 
    contract change orders as they occur. Change orders will not be 
    included in payment estimates until approved by all parties.
    
    
    Secs. 1780.77-1780.79  [Reserved]
    
    Subpart D--Information Pertaining to Preparation of Notes or Bonds 
    and Bond Transcript Documents for Public Body Applicants
    
    
    Sec. 1780.80  General.
    
        This subpart includes information for use by public body applicants 
    in the preparation and issuance of evidence of debt (bonds, notes, or 
    debt instruments, referred to as bonds in this subpart) and other 
    necessary loan documents.
    
    
    Sec. 1780.81  Policies related to use of bond counsel.
    
        The applicant is responsible for preparation of bonds and bond 
    transcript documents. The applicant will obtain the services and 
    opinion of recognized bond counsel experienced in municipal financing 
    with respect to the validity of a bond issue, except for issues of 
    $100,000 or less. With prior approval of the approval official, the 
    applicant may elect not to use bond counsel. Such issues will be closed 
    in accordance with the following:
        (a) The applicant must recognize and accept the fact that 
    application processing may require additional legal and administrative 
    time;
        (b) It must be established that not using bond counsel will produce 
    significant savings in total legal costs;
        (c) The local attorney must be able and experienced in handling 
    this type of legal work;
        (d) The applicant must understand that it will likely have to 
    obtain an opinion from bond counsel at its expense should the Agency 
    require refinancing of the debt;
        (e) Bonds will be prepared in accordance with this regulation and 
    conform as closely as possible to the preferred methods of preparation 
    stated in Sec. 1780.94; and
        (f) Closing instructions must be issued by OGC.
    
    
    Sec. 1780.82  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 1780.83  Bond transcript documents.
    
        Any questions relating to Agency requirements should be discussed 
    with Agency representatives. Bond counsel or local counsel, as 
    appropriate, must furnish at least two complete sets of the following 
    to the applicant, who will furnish one complete set to the Agency:
        (a) Copies of all organizational documents;
        (b) Copies of general incumbency certificate;
        (c) Certified copies of minutes or excerpts from all meetings of 
    the governing body at which action was taken in connection with the 
    authorizing and issuing of the bonds;
        (d) Certified copies of documents evidencing that the applicant has 
    complied fully with all statutory requirements incident to calling and 
    holding a favorable bond election, if one is necessary;
        (e) Certified copies of the resolutions, ordinances, or other 
    documents such as the bond authorizing resolutions or ordinances and 
    any resolution establishing rates and regulating use of facility, if 
    such documents are not included in the minutes furnished;
    
    [[Page 33498]]
    
        (f) Copies of the official Notice of Sale and the affidavit of 
    publication of the Notice of Sale when State statute requires a public 
    sale;
        (g) Specimen bond, with any attached coupons;
        (h) Attorney's no-litigation certificate;
        (i) Certified copies of resolutions or other documents pertaining 
    to the bond award;
        (j) Any additional or supporting documents required by bond 
    counsel;
        (k) For loans involving multiple advances of Agency loan funds, a 
    preliminary approving opinion of bond counsel (or local counsel if no 
    bond counsel is involved) if a final unqualified opinion cannot be 
    obtained until all funds are advanced. The preliminary opinion for the 
    entire issue shall be delivered at or before the time of the first 
    advance of funds. It will state that the applicant has the legal 
    authority to issue the bonds, construct, operate and maintain the 
    facility, and repay the loan, subject only to changes occurring during 
    the advance of funds, such as litigation resulting from the failure to 
    advance loan funds, and receipt of closing certificates;
        (l) Final unqualified approving opinion of bond counsel, (and 
    preliminary approving opinion, if required) or local counsel if no bond 
    counsel is involved, including an opinion as to whether interest on 
    bonds will be exempt from Federal and State income taxes. With approval 
    of the State program official, a final opinion may be qualified to the 
    extent that litigation is pending relating to Indian claims that may 
    affect title to land or validity of the obligation. It is permissible 
    for such opinion to contain language referring to the last sentence of 
    section 306 (a)(1) or to section 309A (h) of the Consolidated Farm and 
    Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926 (a)(1) or 1929a (h)).
    
    
    Secs. 1780.84 and 1780.86  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 1780.87  Permanent instruments for Agency loans.
    
        Agency loans will be evidenced by an instrument determined legally 
    sufficient and in accordance with the following order of preference:
        (a) First preference--Form RD 440-22, ``Promissory Note''. Refer to 
    paragraph (b) of this section for methods of various frequency payment 
    calculations.
        (b) Second preference--single instruments with amortized 
    installments. A single instrument providing for amortized installments 
    which follows Form RD 440-22 as closely as possible. The full amount of 
    the loan must show on the face of the instrument, and there must be 
    provisions for entering the date and amount of each advance on the 
    reverse or an attachment. When principal payments are deferred, the 
    instrument will show that ``interest only'' is due on interest-only 
    installment dates, rather than specific dollar amounts. The payment 
    period including the ``interest only'' installment cannot exceed 40 
    years, the useful life of the facility, or State statute limitations, 
    whichever occurs first. The amortized installment, computed as follows, 
    will be shown as due on installment dates thereafter.
        (1) Monthly payments. Multiply by twelve the number of years 
    between the due date of the last interest-only installment and the 
    final installment to determine the number of monthly payments. When 
    there are no interest-only installments, multiply by twelve the number 
    of years over which the loan is amortized. Then multiply the loan 
    amount by the amortization factor and round to the next higher dollar.
        (2) Semiannual payments. Multiply by two the number of years 
    between the due date of the last interest-only installment and the due 
    date of the final installment to determine the correct number of 
    semiannual periods. When there are no interest-only installments, 
    multiply by two the number of years over which the loan is amortized. 
    Then multiply the loan amount by the applicable amortization factor.
        (3) Annual payments. Subtract the due date of the last interest-
    only installment from the due date of the final installment to 
    determine the number of annual payments. When there are no interest-
    only installments, the number of annual payments will equal the number 
    of years over which the loan is amortized. Then multiply the loan 
    amount by the applicable amortization factor and round to the next 
    higher dollar.
        (c) Third preference--single instruments with installments of 
    principal plus interest. If a single instrument with amortized 
    installments is not legally permissible, use a single instrument 
    providing for installments of principal plus interest accrued on the 
    principal balance. For bonds with semiannual interest and annual 
    principal, the interest is calculated by multiplying the principal 
    balance times the interest rate and dividing this figure by two. 
    Principal installments are to be scheduled so that total combined 
    interest and principal payments closely approximate amortized payments.
        (1) The repayment terms concerning interest only installments 
    described in paragraph (b) of this section apply.
        (2) The instrument shall contain in substance provisions 
    indicating:
        (i) Principal maturities and due dates;
        (ii) Regular payments shall be applied first to interest due 
    through the next principal and interest installment due date and then 
    to principal due in chronological order stipulated in the bond; and
        (iii) Payments on delinquent accounts will be applied in the 
    following sequence:
        (A) billed delinquent interest;
        (B) past due interest installments;
        (C) past due principal installments;
        (D) interest installment due; and
        (E) principal installment due.
        (d) Fourth preference--serial bonds with installments of principal 
    plus interest. If instruments described under the first, second, and 
    third preferences are not legally permissible, use serial bonds with a 
    bond or bonds delivered in the amount of each advance. Bonds will be 
    numbered consecutively and delivered in chronological order. Such bonds 
    will conform to the minimum requirements of Sec. 1780.94. Provisions 
    for application of payments will be the same as those set forth in 
    paragraph (c)(2)(ii) of this section.
        (e) Coupon bonds. Coupon bonds will not be used unless required by 
    State statute. Such bonds will conform to the minimum requirements of 
    Sec. 1780.94.
    
    
    Sec. 1780.88  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 1780.89  Multiple advances of Agency funds using permanent 
    instruments.
    
        Where interim financing from commercial sources is not used, Agency 
    loan proceeds will be disbursed on an ``as needed by borrower'' basis 
    in amounts not to exceed the amount needed during 30-day periods.
    
    
    Sec. 1780.90  Multiple advances of Agency funds using temporary debt 
    instruments.
    
        When none of the instruments described in Sec. 1780.87 are legally 
    permissible or practical, a bond anticipation note or similar temporary 
    debt instrument may be used. The debt instrument will provide for 
    multiple advances of Agency funds and will be for the full amount of 
    the Agency loan. The instrument will be prepared by bond counsel, or 
    local counsel if bond counsel is not involved, and approved by the 
    State program official and OGC. At the same time the Agency delivers 
    the last advance, the borrower will deliver the permanent bond 
    instrument and the canceled temporary instrument will be returned to 
    the borrower. The approved debt instrument will show at least the 
    following:
        (a) The date from which each advance will bear interest;
        (b) The interest rate as determined by Sec. 1780.13;
    
    [[Page 33499]]
    
        (c) A payment schedule providing for interest on outstanding 
    principal at least annually; and
        (d) A maturity date which shall be no earlier than the anticipated 
    issuance date of the permanent instruments and no longer than the 40-
    year statutory limit.
    
    
    Secs. 1780.91-1780.93  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 1780.94  Minimum bond specifications.
    
        The provisions of this section are minimum specifications only and 
    must be followed to the extent legally permissible.
        (a) Type and denominations. Bond resolutions or ordinances will 
    provide that the instruments be either a bond representing the total 
    amount of the indebtedness or serial bonds in denominations customarily 
    accepted in municipal financing (ordinarily in multiples of not less 
    than $1,000). Single bonds may provide for repayment of principal plus 
    interest or amortized installments. Amortized installments are 
    preferred by the Agency.
        (b) Bond registration. Bonds will contain provisions permitting 
    registration for both principal and interest. Bonds purchased by the 
    Agency will be registered in the name of ``United States of America'' 
    and will remain so registered at all times while the bonds are held or 
    insured by the Government. The Agency address for registration purposes 
    will be that of the Finance Office.
        (c) Size and quality. Size of bonds and coupons should conform to 
    standard practice. Paper must be of sufficient quality to prevent 
    deterioration through ordinary handling over the life of the loan.
        (d) Date of bond. Bonds will normally be dated as of the day of 
    delivery. However, the borrower may use another date if approved by the 
    Agency. Loan closing is the date of delivery of the bonds or the date 
    of delivery of the first bond when utilizing serial bonds, regardless 
    of the date of delivery of the funds. The date of delivery will be 
    stated in the bond if different from the date of the bond. In all 
    cases, interest will accrue from the date of delivery of the funds.
        (e) Payment date. Loan payments will be scheduled to coincide with 
    income availability and be in accordance with State law.
        (1) If income is available monthly, monthly payments are 
    recommended unless precluded by State law. If income is available 
    quarterly or otherwise more frequently than annually, payments must be 
    scheduled on such basis. However, if State law only permits principal 
    plus interest (P&I) type bonds, annual or semiannual payments will be 
    used.
        (2) The payment schedule will be enumerated in the evidence of 
    debt, or if that is not feasible, in a supplemental agreement.
        (3) If feasible, the first payment will be scheduled one full 
    month, or other period, as appropriate, from the date of loan closing 
    or any deferment period. Due dates falling on the 29th, 30th, and 31st 
    day of the month will be avoided. When principal payments are deferred, 
    interest-only payments will be scheduled at least annually.
        (f) Extra payments. Extra payments are derived from the sale of 
    basic chattel or real estate security, refund of unused loan funds, 
    cash proceeds of property insurance and similar actions which reduce 
    the value of basic security. At the option of the borrower, regular 
    facility revenue may also be used as extra payments when regular 
    payments are current. Unless otherwise established in the note or bond, 
    extra payments will be applied as follows:
        (1) For loans with amortized debt instruments, extra payments will 
    be applied first to interest accrued to the date of receipt of the 
    payment and second to principal.
        (2) For loans with debt instruments with P&I installments, the 
    extra payment will be applied to the final unpaid principal 
    installment.
        (3) For borrowers with more than one loan, the extra payment will 
    be applied to the account secured by the lowest priority of lien on the 
    property from which the extra payments was obtained. Any balance will 
    be applied to other Agency loans secured by the property from which the 
    extra payment was obtained.
        (4) For assessment bonds, see paragraph (k) of this section.
        (g) The place of payments on bonds purchased by the Agency will be 
    determined by the Agency.
        (h) Redemptions. Bonds will normally contain customary redemption 
    provisions. However, no premium will be charged for early redemption on 
    any bonds held by the Government.
        (i) Additional revenue bonds. Parity bonds may be issued to 
    complete the project. Otherwise, parity bonds may not be issued unless 
    acceptable documentation is provided establishing that net revenues for 
    the fiscal year following the year in which such bonds are to be issued 
    will be at least 120 percent of the average annual debt serviced 
    requirements on all bonds outstanding, including the newly-issued 
    bonds. For purposes of this section, net revenues are, unless otherwise 
    defined by State statute, gross revenues less essential operation and 
    maintenance expenses. This limitation may be waived or modified by the 
    written consent of bondholders representing 75 percent of the then-
    outstanding principal indebtedness. Junior and subordinate bonds may be 
    issued in accordance with the loan resolution.
        (j) Precautions. The following types of provisions in debt 
    instruments should be avoided:
        (1) Provisions for the holder to manually post each payment to the 
    instrument.
        (2) Provisions for returning the permanent or temporary debt 
    instrument to the borrower in order that it, rather than the Agency, 
    may post the date and amount of each advance or repayment on the 
    instrument.
        (3) Provisions that amend covenants contained in Forms RD 1942-47 
    or RD 1942-9.
        (4) Defeasance provisions in loan or bond resolutions. When a bond 
    issue is defeased, a new issue is sold which supersedes the contractual 
    provisions of the prior issue, including the refinancing requirement 
    and any lien on revenues. Since defeasance in effect precludes the 
    Agency from requiring refinancing before the final maturity date, it 
    represents a violation of the statutory refinancing requirement; 
    therefore, it is disallowed. No loan documents shall include a 
    provision of defeasance.
        (k) Assessment bonds. When security includes special assessment to 
    be collected over the life of the loan, the instrument should address 
    the method of applying any payments made before they are due. It may be 
    desirable for such payments to be distributed over remaining payments 
    due, rather than to be applied in accordance with normal procedures 
    governing extra payments, so that the account does not become 
    delinquent.
        (l) Multiple debt instruments. The following will be adhered to 
    when preparing debt instruments:
        (1) When more than one loan type is used in financing a project, 
    each type of loan will be evidenced by a separate debt instrument or 
    series of debt instruments;
        (2) Loans obligated in different fiscal years and those obligated 
    with different terms in the same fiscal year will be evidenced by 
    separate debt instruments;
        (3) Loans obligated for the same loan type in the same fiscal year 
    with the same term may be combined in the same debt instrument;
        (4) Loans obligated in the same fiscal year with different interest 
    rates that
    
    [[Page 33500]]
    
    will be closed at the same interest rate may be combined in the same 
    debt instrument.
    
    
    Sec. 1780.95  Public bidding on bonds.
    
        Bonds offered for public sale shall be offered in accordance with 
    State law and in such a manner to encourage public bidding. The Agency 
    will not submit a bid at the advertised sale unless required by State 
    law, nor will reference to Agency's rates and terms be included. If no 
    acceptable bid is received, the Agency will negotiate the purchase of 
    the bonds.
    
    
    Secs. 1780.96-1780.100  [Reserved]
    
    Part 1942, Subpart I [Redesignated as Part 1781 and Revised]
    
        5. Subpart I of 7 CFR part 1942 is redesignated as 7 CFR part 1781 
    and is revised to read as follows:
    
    PART 1781--RESOURCE CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT (RCD) LOANS AND 
    WATERSHED (WS) LOANS AND ADVANCES
    
    Sec.
    1781.1  Purpose.
    1781.2  Policy.
    1781.3  Authorities, responsibilities, and delegation of authority.
    1781.4  Definitions.
    1781.5  Eligibility.
    1781.6  Loan purposes.
    1781.7  Loan and advance limitations and obligations incurred before 
    loan closing.
    1781.8  Rates and terms--WS loans and WS advances and RCD loans.
    1781.9  Security, feasibility, evidence of debt, title insurance, 
    and other requirements.
    1781.10  [Reserved]
    1781.11  Other considerations.
    1781.12  Preapplication and application processing.
    1781.13  [Reserved]
    1781.14  Planning, options, and appraisals.
    1781.15  Planning and performing development.
    1781.16  [Reserved]
    1781.17  Docket preparation and processing.
    1781.18  Feasibility.
    1781.19  Approval, closing, and cancellation.
    1781.20  Disbursement of WS and RCD loan funds and WS advance funds.
    1781.21  Borrower accounting methods, management, reporting, and 
    audits.
    1781.22  Subsequent loans.
    1781.23  Servicing.
    1781.24  State supplements and availability of bulletins, 
    instructions, forms, and memorandums.
    1781.25-1781.100  [Reserved]
    
        Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 7 U.S.C. 1989; 16 U.S.C. 1005.
    
    
    Sec. 1781.1  Purpose.
    
        This part prescribes the policies and procedures for making:
        (a) Watershed (WS) loans and Watershed (WS) advances for works of 
    improvement in a watershed project; and
        (b) Resource Conservation and Development (RCD) loans for measures 
    or projects needed to implement the RCD area plan to achieve objectives 
    in an RCD area.
    
    
    Sec. 1781.2  Policy.
    
        (a) Rural Utilities Service (RUS), is an agency of the United 
    States Department of Agriculture established pursuant to section 232 of 
    the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (Pub. L. 103-
    354, 108 Stat. 3178), successor to the Farmers's Home Administration. 
    Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), is an agency of the 
    United States Department of Agriculture established pursuant to section 
    232 of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (Pub. 
    L. 103-354, 108 Stat. 3178), successor to the Soil Conservation 
    Service. RUS will make WS and RCD loans available to sponsoring local 
    public bodies, agencies, and nonprofit organizations to assist them in 
    obtaining the local cost of WS works of improvement and RCD measures. 
    Any processing or servicing activity conducted pursuant to this part 
    involving authorized assistance to RUS employees, members of their 
    families, known close relatives, or business or close personal 
    associates, is subject to the provisions of subpart D of Part 1900 of 
    this title. Applicants for this assistance are required to identify any 
    known relationship or association with an RUS employee. RUS will assist 
    the local sponsors and the NRCS in making loans from NRCS construction 
    funds as WS advances when needed for the development of future water 
    supplies or for site preservation.
        (b) Rural Development State and local offices will administer these 
    programs on behalf of RUS and will coordinate application processing 
    with the NRCS and other appropriate State and Federal agencies.
    
    
    Sec. 1781.3  Authorities, responsibilities and delegation of authority.
    
        (a) NRCS provides technical and financial assistance to sponsoring 
    local organizations for developing WS and RCD area plans and for 
    individual RCD measures or projects and watershed works of improvement. 
    The watershed work plan for developing, operating, and maintaining 
    watershed works of improvement must be agreed upon by sponsoring local 
    organizations and NRCS. When approved, it is the basis for extending 
    technical and cost sharing assistance from watershed funds. The RCD 
    area plan is prepared for the development of the RCD area by sponsoring 
    local organizations with assistance from NRCS and other agencies, 
    endorsed by the Governor or by the agency designated by the Governor, 
    and accepted by the Secretary of Agriculture or his delegate. It 
    includes objectives, planned courses of action, and RCD measures or 
    projects to be developed. It is amended as necessary to include 
    continuing activities and needs in the RCD area.
        (b) RUS receives and processes applications for WS loans and NRCS 
    WS advances and RCD loans and makes and services such loan and 
    advances. WS loans are made by RUS from either Public Law 534 (78th 
    Cong.) funds authorized in the Flood Control Act of 1944 (33 U.S.C. 701 
    et seq.) or Public Law 566 (83rd Cong.) funds authorized in the 
    Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act of 1954 (68 Stat. 666) to 
    cover a part or all of the local cost for a watershed work of 
    improvement.
        (c) WS loans and WS advances may be made to project sponsors in 
    watershed project areas for which:
        (1) A watershed work plan has been approved administratively or by 
    resolutions adopted by the Committee on Agriculture and Forestry of the 
    Senate and by the Committee on Agriculture of the House of 
    Representatives; and
        (2) Federal assistance has been authorized for the installation of 
    works of improvement by the Administrator of NRCS.
        (d) RCD loans may be made in areas authorized for RCD program 
    assistance by the Secretary of Agriculture and for which an RCD plan 
    design or area plan has been accepted by the State NRCS 
    Conservationist.
        (e) Delegation of authority. The Rural Development State Director 
    is authorized to approve WS and RCD loans subject to limitations in RUS 
    Staff Instruction 1780-1 and conditions of this part. The Rural 
    Development State Director is authorized to relegate authority in 
    accordance with this part to the Chief, Community Programs; or other 
    members of the State Office staff.
        (f) NRCS is responsible for providing technical and financial 
    assistance to sponsoring local organizations for planning and 
    developing WS and RCD areas. This includes development of WS and RCD 
    plans and WS works of improvement and RCD measures or projects.
        (g) RUS is responsible for making and servicing WS loans and 
    advances and RCD loans.
    
    [[Page 33501]]
    
        (h) The NRCS-RUS Agreements in RUS Bulletin's 1781 and 1781-2 
    include further responsibilities and functions of NRCS and RUS in WS 
    and RCD areas.
    
    
    Sec. 1781.4  Definitions.
    
        (a) Watershed (WS) project. An authorized area in which watershed 
    assistance from NRCS and other U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 
    agencies including WS loans and advances may be provided. Watershed 
    assistance is provided in two types of watershed projects identified by 
    the Public Law under which they are authorized.
        (1) Public Law-534 Watershed. One of the 11 watersheds authorized 
    by Congress in the Flood Control Act of 1944 (33 U.S.C. 701 et seq.), 
    Public Law 78-534 as amended.
        (2) Public Law-566 Watershed. A small watershed of not more than 
    250,000 acres authorized in accordance with the Watershed Protection 
    and Flood Prevention Act, August 4, 1954, Public Law 83-566 as amended.
        (b) Resource Conservation and Development (RCD) area. An area in 
    which RCD program assistance from NRCS and other USDA agencies has been 
    authorized. It usually includes all or part of more than one county and 
    may be coterminous with substate planning and development areas. RCD 
    loans are authorized under Section 32 of Title III of the Bankhead-
    Jones Farm Tenant Act (7 U.S.C. 1011).
        (c) Watershed plan. A plan agreed upon by sponsoring local 
    organizations and the NRCS for developing, operating, and maintaining 
    watershed works of improvement.
        (d) RC&D measure plan. A plan document for a land area, directly 
    controlled or under the jurisdiction of the sponsoring public bodies or 
    public nonprofit organization. It involves one of the measure purposes 
    eligible for RC&D cost sharing assistance. The document sets forth what 
    will be done, how, when and by whom, and involves RC&D technical and/or 
    financial assistance.
        (e) RCD area plan. A plan prepared by sponsoring local 
    organizations with assistance from NRCS and other agencies for the 
    development of the RCD area which has been endorsed by the Governor or 
    his designated agency and accepted by the Secretary of Agriculture or 
    his delegate. It includes objectives, planned courses of action, and 
    RCD measures to be developed. It is amended as necessary to include 
    continuing activities and needs in the RCD area.
        (f) Watershed works of improvement. Structural, nonstructural, and 
    land treatment measures included in a watershed plan which are to be 
    installed in a watershed project.
        (g) RCD measure or project. An activity or development indicated in 
    the RCD area plan as being needed to achieve RCD area goals and 
    objectives.
        (h) Cost sharing. The WS and RCD legislative authorities provide 
    for sharing certain costs of installing WS works of improvement or RCD 
    measures by the Federal Government and by sponsoring local 
    organizations. Federal cost sharing from WS and RCD funds is provided 
    by NRCS for certain WS works of improvement and RCD measures. 
    Information on amounts, purposes, and procedures for cost sharing is 
    available from the NRCS.
        (i) Local cost. The part of the cost of a WS work of improvement or 
    a RCD measure or project that is to be paid by a sponsoring local 
    organization.
        (j) Public agency or public body. A State agency or department or 
    instrumentality, county, municipality or other political subdivision or 
    instrumentality of a State or agencies or districts created by or 
    pursuant to State law for making improvements of a public nature or 
    providing public services such as soil and water conservation 
    districts, irrigation districts, drainage districts, flood prevention 
    and control districts, school districts, other special purpose 
    districts, municipal corporations or similar governmental units.
        (k) Non-profit corporation. Mutual and other irrigation, water 
    users, water supply, drainage, or waste disposal companies or 
    associations, ditch companies, grazing, recreation and forestry 
    associations and similar associations and organizations generally 
    designated as private corporations operating on a non-profit basis. 
    They may be organized and chartered under special law, general 
    nonprofit corporation law, or general profit corporation law, if 
    operated on a nonprofit basis under adequate charter, bylaw, mortgage 
    or supplementary agreement provisions which will assure continued 
    operation in that manner.
        (l) Sponsoring local organization. A local public agency or body or 
    a local nonprofit corporation having authority under State law to plan, 
    develop, maintain and operate WS works of improvement or RCD measures 
    or projects included in a WS or RCD area plan. The name of the 
    sponsoring local organization must be included in the plan and 
    sponsorship must be evidenced by execution of the plan.
        (m) Watershed loan. A loan made by RUS from watershed funds to a 
    sponsoring local organization to develop a WS work of improvement.
        (n) RCD loan. A loan made by RUS from RCD funds to a local 
    sponsoring organization to develop a RCD measure or project. RCD loans 
    are made from RCD funds to enable sponsoring local organizations to 
    provide a part or all of the local share of cost for an RCD measure.
        (o) Watershed advance. A loan made from NRCS watershed construction 
    funds to develop a future water supply or for the preservation of a 
    site for a work of improvement authorized in a watershed plan.
        (p) Future water supply. Water storage capacity in a reservoir with 
    related facilities for release or withdrawal of water to meet future 
    needs for municipal or industrial use.
        (q) Preservation of sites. Acquisition to assure their availability 
    for planned developments. Land, easements, or rights-of-way essential 
    to preserve sites for watershed works of improvement or RCD measures.
        (r) Processing office. Means the office designated by the Rural 
    Development State Director to accept and process applications for WS 
    and RCD loans and advances.
    
    
    Sec. 1781.5  Eligibility.
    
        To be eligible for a WS loan, WS advance, or an RCD loan, the 
    sponsoring local organization must meet the following requirements as 
    applicable. Questions on eligibility will be referred to the Regional 
    Attorney, OGC for legal advise prior to development of a loan docket.
        (a) Be named in the WS or RCD plan as a sponsor of the development 
    to be financed.
        (b) Be legally organized and established in the WS or RCD area with 
    legal authority, responsibility and capability to develop and operate 
    the facility for which assistance is requested.
        (c) Have authority under and comply with Federal, State and local 
    laws on such matters as:
        (1) Organizing, installing, operating, and maintaining proposed WS 
    works of improvement or RCD measures or projects.
        (2) Borrowing money, giving security, levying taxes, making 
    assessments or raising revenues for operation and maintenance of the 
    facility and repayment of loans.
        (3) Land use zoning.
        (4) Acquiring necessary property, lands, and rights.
        (5) Obtaining approval of construction plans and specifications by 
    appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies and construction 
    facilities.
    
    [[Page 33502]]
    
        (6) Health and sanitation standards, water pollution control, and 
    environmental regulations.
        (7) Design and installation standards.
        (8) Public service commission or similar State public body rules 
    and regulations.
        (d) Be financially sound and capable of providing service essential 
    to the rural development needs of the area.
        (e) If it is a nonprofit corporation.
        (1) Membership should be broadly based and representative of the 
    area benefiting from the facility. Membership on the governing board of 
    the corporation will be limited to those living in the area to be 
    benefited unless for justifiable reasons the Rural Development State 
    Director gives prior approval for other than local residents to serve 
    on the board of directors.
        (2) The corporation must propose a facility which will primarily 
    serve or generate other substantial, tangible benefits for farmers and 
    other residents of the area. In the case of a recreational development 
    at least two-thirds of the membership must be farmers and other 
    residing in the area.
        (3) Nonprofit corporations will not be formed to serve an area 
    which could be served by a public agency which has adequate authority 
    to provide the needed service unless prior approval of the National 
    Office is obtained.
    
    
    Sec. 1781.6  Loan purposes.
    
        (a) WS and RCD loans. WS and RCD loans may be used for:
        (1) Water development, storage, treatment and conveyance to farms 
    for irrigation and other farm use, including farmstead, livestock, 
    orchard, and crop spraying.
        (2) Drainage systems and facilities in farm areas to sustain 
    agricultural production or protect farmers and rural residents from 
    water damage.
        (3) Agricultural water management practices for annual streamflow 
    stabilization, recharging ground water reservoirs, and conserving water 
    supplies by management and control of vegetation along waterways and in 
    drainage basins.
        (4) Soil conservation and water control facilities such as dikes, 
    terraces, detention reservoirs, stream channels, ditches, and other 
    special land treatment and stabilization measures needed to protect 
    farms and rural residents from water damage, provided such facilities 
    cannot be installed or improved under, or will not conflict with, other 
    public programs such as those administered by the Corps of Engineers.
        (5) Special treatment measures or equipment primarily, though not 
    exclusively, for flood prevention such as:
        (i) Facilities and equipment for fire prevention and control.
        (ii) Tree planting and establishment of other vegetative cover for 
    stabilizing critical runoff and sediment-producing areas.
        (iii) Structural and vegetative measures to stabilize stream 
    channels and gullies.
        (iv) Basic farm conservation practices to control runoff, erosion, 
    and sedimentation.
        (6) Installing, repairing, and improving water storage facilities, 
    including outlets for immediate and future domestic, municipal and 
    industrial water supply and water quality management, and conveying 
    water to treatment facilities or distribution systems. When payment of 
    loans for such facilities are primarily dependent upon revenues from 
    use of water stored the loan approval official must determine the 
    adequacy of facility for use of the water before a loan is closed.
        (7) Public water based recreation and fish and wildlife developer 
    loans will only be made to public bodies for the local share of cost 
    for such developments for which NRCS is providing technical or 
    financial assistance from WS or RCD funds. Loans will not be made for 
    developments larger or more elaborate than that which is included in 
    the WS or RCD plan. Loans may include funds for:
        (i) Construction of necessary water resource improvements such as 
    storage capacity in multipurpose and single purpose reservoirs, water 
    level control structures in reservoirs and streams, and stream channel 
    improvements necessary for the development of the facilities. This may 
    include practices for improvement of fish and wildlife habitat and 
    environment and related areas and facilities for proper protection and 
    management of the development.
        (ii) Essential developments, improvements, equipment and facilities 
    for access, public health and safety, and efficient operation 
    management and maintenance; such as energy utilities, water supply and 
    waste disposal systems, maintenance buildings, fences, cattle guards, 
    roads and trails, parking, picnicking, camping, beaches, playgrounds, 
    and related shelters and equipment.
        (iii) Special areas and structures such as forest and other 
    vegetative cover, marshes, pits, shelters and fish ladders to provide 
    protected natural spawning, breeding, nesting, and feeding for fish and 
    wildlife.
        (8) Soil and Water Management for Agriculture-Related Pollutant 
    Control. Measures to reduce agriculture-related pollutants that 
    adversely affect the community and the general public. Measures may 
    include, but are not limited to, holding ponds, debris basins, 
    diversions, terraces, and community distribution systems.
        (9) Acquiring fee simple title to lands or perpetual easements, or 
    rights-of-way for sites for works of improvement or project measures 
    and related costs for removal, relocation, or replacement of existing 
    improvements including relocation payments for displaced persons, 
    business enterprises and facilities, and other related purposes. Funds 
    for land acquisition will be limited to costs necessary for WS works of 
    improvement or RCD measures. Final construction plans will indicate 
    minimum essential lands and rights-of-way to be acquired. In some 
    cases, sponsoring local organizations may need to acquire lands in 
    excess of actual needs when it is expedient for planned development. If 
    the Rural Development State Director determines that the acquisition of 
    excess land is necessary or expedient for the orderly development of a 
    WS works of improvement, or RCD measure, he may authorize the action 
    subject to the following conditions:
        (i) The applicant must agree to sell excess land as soon as 
    practicable and apply the proceeds, together with any income from 
    excess land, on the debt to RUS.
        (ii) The applicant must furnish legal evidence of authority to 
    acquire additional land and dispose of it as agreed.
        (iii) Evidence must be provided to justify acquisition of 
    additional land.
        (iv) Easements for land or water resource protection structures 
    must be perpetual and must not include clauses that terminate the 
    easement with the dissolution or abandonment of the applicant 
    organization. Loan funds will not be used for an easement that deviates 
    in any way from that provided in the standard NRCS form unless 
    modifications of it are approved by both NRCS and RUS.
        (10) Acquisition of water supply or water right by purchase or by 
    appropriation under local, State, and Federal laws. The loan may 
    include funds for the purchase of land on which the water supply or 
    water right is presently being used when:
        (i) The water supply or water right cannot be purchased without the 
    land; and
        (ii) The value of the land is not the major portion of the cost; 
    and
    
    [[Page 33503]]
    
        (iii) Any excess land thus acquired will be sold as soon as 
    possible and the proceeds applied on the loan.
        (11) Purchase of equipment and machinery necessary for development 
    and operation of planned WS works of improvement or RCD measures or 
    projects including:
        (i) Special-purpose equipment. Purchase or rent special-purpose 
    equipment to install or maintain any community facility in categories 
    in paragraph (a)(11) of this section or to establish on farms soil and 
    water conservation measures such as terraces, ponds, land leveling for 
    irrigation or drainage, subsoiling, seeding, tree planting, and removal 
    of brush, scattered trees, and stumps, provided:
        (A) Such equipment is not otherwise available when needed.
        (B) There is sufficient need and local demand to justify ownership 
    or rental.
        (C) Rates to be charged include, among other things, an allowance 
    for depreciation, obsolescence, and replacement based upon the 
    recommendations of the equipment manufacturer or the experience of 
    contractors engaged in providing services for similar types of work.
        (ii) Forestry equipment and services. Purchase or rent basic 
    special-purpose equipment, facilities, certain land or land rights, and 
    supplies needed for furnishing services for the establishment, 
    improvement, protection, and harvesting of timber (not processing) 
    suitable for lumber, pulp, poles or posts; providing that the forest 
    program and forest practices benefiting from such services are in 
    accordance with approved conservation practices for the development, 
    use, and control of water resources on farms and in forests. Special-
    purpose equipment may include such items as tractors, bull dozers, 
    plows, planters, trucks, loaders, fire-fighting equipment, and 
    sprayers. Facilities may include such items as ponds and reservoirs, 
    pipelines, buildings for storage of equipment and supplies, nurseries, 
    access roads, fire lanes, and lookout towers. Supplies may include such 
    things as seed, seedlings, fertilizers, fencing, and pesticides. Land 
    or land-rights acquisition will be limited to that necessary for sites 
    for facilities listed above which are directly related to the forestry 
    program. Loans for these purposes may be made only when the equipment, 
    supplies, and facilities to be provided:
        (A) Are not readily available when needed.
        (B) Will be justified by local need and demand.
        (C) Will be available to users at rates sufficient to cover loan 
    amortization, obsolescence, replacement, operation, and cost of 
    supplies.
        (D) Will more efficiently serve the group through cooperative 
    effort.
        (12) Refinancing debt obligations of the sponsoring local 
    organization that were incurred before application for a WS or RCD loan 
    when that is not the primary purpose of the loan and:
        (i) The debt being refinanced was for works of improvement or 
    measures for which loan funds could be used; and
        (ii) The debt is a valid obligation of the sponsor; and
        (iii) Creditors will not modify payment terms on existing debts, 
    and the organization cannot pay existing debts and a loan from RUS over 
    the same period of time; and
        (iv) Long-term debts will not be refinanced unless necessary to 
    provide a sound basis for the loan or WS advance and concurrence is 
    obtained from the National Office.
        (13) If repayment is based on revenues, loan funds (not WS 
    advances) can be used for payment of interest installments until the 
    facility is generating enough revenue to make accrued interest 
    payments. Loan funds for interest payments will not exceed the 
    estimated amount that will accrue to the end of the third full calendar 
    year after loan closing without prior approval from the National 
    Office.
        (14) Relocation payment to displaced persons, businesses, and farm 
    operations and for relocation assistance advisory services in 
    accordance with the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property 
    Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 (Public Law 91-646, 84 Stat. 1894), 
    the Regulations issued by the Secretary of Agriculture under the Act (7 
    CFR part 21), and the Memorandum of Understanding Between NRCS and RUS.
        (15) Services of engineers, architects, attorneys, auditors, 
    construction foremen, managers, clerks, and others for organizing, 
    planning, surveying, supervising, analyzing, developing, operating, 
    managing, and accounting for activities related to loan processing and 
    closing and development for which the loan is made.
        (16) Buildings, fences, roads, utilities, facilities, and 
    relocation:
        (i) To construct buildings of modest design essential for the 
    operation and maintenance of the works of improvement or measure.
        (ii) To provide support facilities and utilities such as gas, 
    electricity, water, sewer, and waste disposal.
        (iii) To build or relocate roads, bridges, utilities, fences, and 
    other improvements when necessary to acquire rights-of-ways or to 
    construct or operate the facility.
        (17) Services and fees. To pay costs for services for any purposes 
    listed under this section such as:
        (i) Fees or other legal expenses for establishing a water right 
    through appropriation, agreement, permit, or court decree.
        (ii) Purchase of water stock or membership in an incorporated water 
    users' association to acquire a water supply.
        (iii) Costs of labor, technical or professional services, and fees 
    to be incurred in obtaining the loan and in planning and completing the 
    facilities or services to be financed with loan funds.
        (iv) Services such as those listed in paragraph (a) (16) of this 
    section.
        (b) RCD loans. Purposes for which RCD loans may be made in addition 
    to those included in paragraph (a) of this section are:
        (1) Solid waste management. Lands, equipment and facilities to 
    collect, transport, and dispose of solid waste in sanitary landfills 
    for which NRCS is providing technical assistance.
        (2) Shifts-in-land use. Lands for uses such as grazing, forestry, 
    wildlife, natural areas and parks, greenbelts, and other open spaces.
        (3) Purchase existing facilities. Purchase existing facilities for 
    shift-in-land use, soil and water development, conservation, control 
    and use when it is determined that purchase is necessary to provide 
    efficient service through a facility owned and operated by a public 
    agency (or a nonprofit corporation in a rural area), or the owner is 
    either unwilling or unable to make improvements, enlargement, or 
    extensions needed to provide significant additional or improved service 
    for present users or for a new group of users at reasonable rates.
        (c) NRCS watershed advances. NRCS watershed advances are loans that 
    may be made from NRCS construction funds for the following purposes 
    included in a watershed work plan agreement:
        (1) To pay construction costs including cost of engineering and 
    related services for increasing reservoir capacity (including intake 
    and outlet structures) for a future water supply for municipal, 
    domestic, industrial, or agricultural uses.
        (2) To preserve sites for authorized watershed works of improvement 
    by acquiring land, easements, and rights-of-ways or other property 
    rights.
    
    
    Sec. 1781.7  Loan and advance limitations and obligations incurred 
    before loan closing.
    
        (a) WS and RCD loan limitations. (1) Loans will not be used for:
    
    [[Page 33504]]
    
        (i) Land treatment measures on individual farms except as provided 
    in Sec. 1781.6(a)(5)(iv).
        (ii) Buildings and facilities to be used for lodging, dining or 
    entertainment purposes.
        (iii) Building industrial parks or constructing facilities in them, 
    or establishing private industrial or commercial enterprises, or 
    purchasing land to be used primarily for industrial purposes.
        (iv) Paying costs allocated to structural measures for flood 
    prevention.
        (v) Facilities for the production and harvesting of fish and 
    wildlife such as hatcheries, rearing ponds, and related facilities 
    other than those under natural conditions.
        (vi) Facilities primary for treatment and distribution of water or 
    for sewerage, collection and treatment for domestic or industrial use 
    or for municipal or community systems.
        (vii) Electric generating, transmission, and distribution 
    facilities, except when provided as part of the minimum basic 
    facilities for recreation and fish and wildlife developments authorized 
    in Sec. 1781.6(a)(7).
        (viii) Storm and sanitary sewers and solid waste disposal 
    facilities other than authorized in Sec. 1781.6(b)(1).
        (ix) Payment for a tract of land, easements, or rights-of-ways on 
    which NRCS will share the cost if the amount to be paid with loan funds 
    exceeds the difference between the NRCS share and the value on which 
    the NRCS share is based.
        (x) Purchasing tracts of land primarily for later resale to private 
    developers or individuals for agricultural or nonagricultural use.
        (xii) Buildings for residential, commercial, or industrial, use.
        (xiii) Developments on private property primarily for the benefit 
    of the individual property owner.
        (xiv) Payment of that part of the cost of facilities, improvements, 
    and practices that could be earned by participation in agricultural 
    conservation programs unless such cost cannot be covered by purchase 
    orders or assignments to material suppliers or contractors. If a loan 
    is made for such purposes for which practice or cost share payments 
    exceed $500, RUS will obtain an assignment on such payments to be paid 
    on the loan.
        (xv) Primarily for water and sewage treatment plants and 
    distribution systems.
        (xvi) Drainage facilities primarily for the benefit of other than 
    rural areas.
        (xvii) Any single RCD measure that requires a loan of more than 
    $500,000.
        (xviii) The total amount of principal outstanding for all WS loans 
    made for one or more watershed works of improvement in a single 
    watershed project, whether made to one or more sponsoring 
    organizations, will not exceed $10,000,000.
        (b) Watershed advance limitations. (1) A WS advance for future 
    water supply will not be used for acquiring property rights including 
    lands, easements, and rights-of-way; water rights; administration of 
    contracts; storage capacity for immediate municipal use; pipelines from 
    the reservoir to place of use; or for other uses such as irrigation, 
    fish and wildlife, and recreation.
        (2) A WS advance for increasing reservoir capacity for future water 
    supply will not exceed 30 percent of the total installation cost of one 
    structure.
        (3) A WS advance for site preservation will not exceed that 
    determined necessary by NRCS except to purchase land in excess of 
    actual needs in accordance with the provisions of Sec. 1781.6(a)(7).
        (4) Before a project agreement is entered into, there must be 
    satisfactory evidence that the borrower will develop the site to be 
    acquired or will use the future water supply and that revenue will be 
    sufficient to meet all scheduled installments.
        (c) Obligations incurred before loan closing. (1) WS loans, WS 
    advances, and RCD loans may be used for payment of obligations incurred 
    before loan closing when the Rural Development State Director 
    determines that:
        (i) The obligations incurred are necessary for planned 
    developments; and
        (ii) The obligations are incurred for authorized loan purposes; and
        (iii) Contracts and construction plans meet RUS and NRCS standards; 
    and
        (iv) The applicant has legal authority to incur the obligations at 
    the time proposed; and
        (v) The Rural Development State Director authorizes such action in 
    a letter to the applicant.
        (2) The Rural Development State Director's letter will specifically 
    state that the permission is granted on the condition that RUS is not 
    committed to make a loan and assumes no responsibility for any 
    obligation incurred by the applicant because of the permission granted 
    and that the loan will be closed subject to compliance with agency 
    regulations including closing instructions of the Regional Attorney 
    Office of the General Counsel.
    
    
    Sec. 1781.8  Rates and terms--WS loans and WS advances and RCD loans.
    
        (a) Interest rates. The interest rate for WS loans, WS advances and 
    RCD loans will be at a rate not to exceed the current market yield for 
    outstanding municipal obligations with remaining periods to maturity 
    comparable to the average maturity for the loan, adjusted to the 
    nearest 1/8 of 1 percent.
        (1) For loans, unless otherwise required by State law, interest 
    will accrue from date of check delivery where Form RD 440-22, 
    ``Promissory Note (Association Organization),'' is used. Where bonds 
    are used interest will accrue from the applicable dates recorded on the 
    bonds. Where multiple loan disbursements are used interest will accrue 
    from date of check.
        (2) Interest on an advance for future water supply will begin as 
    required by State law, when water is first used from the future water 
    storage capacity installed with advance, or ten years from the 
    scheduled date of the completion of the facility, whichever date is the 
    earlier.
        (3) Interest on an advance for preservation of sites will begin on 
    the date the advance is closed.
        (b) Length of repayment period. The repayment period on loans may 
    not exceed the shortest of the following periods:
        (1) The statutory limitation on the sponsoring local organization's 
    borrowing authority.
        (2) Fifty (50) years for WS loans and WS advances and 30 years for 
    RCD loans from the date when the principal benefits from the WS works 
    of improvement or RCD measure being financed first become available.
        (3) The useful life of the WS works of improvement or RCD measure 
    being financed with loan or advance funds.
        (c) Deferred or partial payments. Deferred or partial payments may 
    be authorized in the following circumstances:
        (1) Payments need to be delayed until the receipt of income from 
    taxes or other revenues is enough to meet a regular installment but not 
    exceed:
        (i) The completion date of the facility; or
        (ii) The date when benefits from the facility begins; but
        (iii) In no case for more than 5 years for other than future water 
    supply.
        (2) Payments will depend on the increased returns expected from 
    planned improvements, or from the installation on individual farms of 
    land development or other soil and water improvements essential for 
    obtaining benefits from the improvement to be installed with loan 
    funds.
        (3) They will not be used to permit the accelerated payment of 
    other debts, to make capital improvements, or to create operating 
    reserves.
    
    [[Page 33505]]
    
        (4) Where prohibited by State statutes; interest payments will not 
    be deferred even though payments on principal may be deferred.
        (5) Loans or advances for future water supply will be repaid within 
    the life of the reservoir structure but in no event later than 50 years 
    for WS and 30 years for RCD after the reservoir structure is built. 
    Payments on the principal amount may be deferred one year after the 
    water is first used from the storage capacity installed with the 
    advance or for 10 years from the scheduled completion date of the 
    structures, whichever occurs first.
        (i) Interest will begin for a future water supply as required by 
    State law, or when water is first used from the future storage capacity 
    or 10 years from the scheduled date of completion of the facility, 
    whichever occurs first.
        (ii) If State law requires that interest be charged and repaid 
    before water is first used or earlier than 10 years from completion 
    date of the structure, interest payments will be scheduled to comply 
    with State law even though payments of principal may be deferred.
        (iii) The borrower should be encouraged to begin repayments as soon 
    as practicable after the reservoir is built even though this liberal 
    deferment policy exists.
        (iv) WS advances for preservation of sites must be fully repaid 
    before beginning construction of the works of improvement for which 
    such sites were acquired.
        (A) Unless a WS advance is to be repaid with a WS loan, 
    installments will be scheduled at the earliest possible date following 
    the date of closing the advance. The date and amount of each such 
    installment will be fixed to coincide with the receipt of income from 
    taxes or other revenues.
        (B) Payments for both principal and interest on a WS advance for 
    preservation of sites may be scheduled for payment in one installment 
    to be paid on the date of the closing of a WS loan which includes funds 
    for the repayment of the WS advance.
        (C) Interest on a WS advance for preservation of sites will begin 
    on the date the WS advance is closed.
        (d) Payment amortization and application. (1) A borrower may make 
    prepayments on WS loans, WS advances or RCD loans in any amount at any 
    time.
        (2) Payments will be applied first to interest accrued to the date 
    of the receipt of payment, and second to the principal balance. If the 
    regular payments plus any prepayments exceed the cumulative amount due, 
    the excess payments will be applied on the next installment first to 
    interest, then principal. Loan refunds and proceeds from the sale of 
    security property, however, will be applied on the final unpaid 
    installment.
        (3) Payments will be scheduled annually beginning one year 
    following the date of loan closing or one year following the end of any 
    approved deferment period, unless another annual due date is required 
    by State statute or upon prior written authorization from the National 
    Office. In those cases where loans are being made under statutes 
    requiring a repayment date other than this, the Rural Development State 
    Director will send a copy of the Regional Attorney's opinion that such 
    is required, to the Finance Office.
        (4) When a single obligation instrument is used, amortized 
    installments will be required. When this cannot be done because of 
    state law, serial bonds or a single bond having installments of 
    principal plus interest, stated separately, will be used. In cases 
    where the payment of interest has been deferred, all collections will 
    be applied to interest until such interest has been paid. Also, when a 
    full installment is not paid when due, the payment made will be applied 
    first to accrued interest.
        (5) In cases where the indebtedness will be represented by serial 
    bonds or a single bond having installments of principal plus interest, 
    stated separately, annual payments of principal and interest will be 
    scheduled to permit them to be paid in amounts approximately equal to 
    the amounts that would be required for annual amortized installments.
        (6) If the borrower will be retiring other debts represented by 
    bonds or notes, the payment on such bonds may be considered in 
    developing the payment schedule for the RUS loan. In some cases, it may 
    be desirable to reduce the amount of payments to RUS in the early years 
    of the loan in order to preclude the necessity for refinancing the 
    outstanding debt. When such payment schedules are proposed, National 
    Office authorization will be obtained prior to loan approval.
        (7) Payment date. Insofar as loan payments are consistent with 
    income availability, applicable State statutes, and commercial customs 
    in the preparation of bonds or other evidence of indebtedness, they 
    should be scheduled on a monthly basis either in the bond or other 
    evidence of indebtedness or through the use of a supplemental 
    agreement. Such requirements will be accomplished not later than the 
    time of loan closing. When monthly payments are required, such payments 
    will be scheduled beginning one full month following the date of loan 
    closing or the end of any approved deferment period. Subsequent monthly 
    payments will be scheduled each full month thereafter. In those cases 
    where evidence of indebtedness calls for annual or semiannual payments, 
    they will be scheduled beginning six or twelve full months, 
    respectively following the date of loan closing or the end of any 
    approved deferment period. Subsequent payments will be scheduled each 
    sixth or twelfth full month respectively, thereafter. When the evidence 
    of indebtedness is dated the 29th, 30th, or 31st day of a month, the 
    payment date will be scheduled the 28th day of the month.
    
    
    Sec. 1781.9  Security, feasibility, evidence of debt, title, insurance 
    and other requirements.
    
        (a) Security. WS loans, WS advances, and RCD loans will be secured 
    in accordance with applicable provisions of Sec. 1780.14 of this 
    chapter.
        (b) Feasibility. All projects financed under the provisions of this 
    part must be based on taxes, assessments, revenues, fees, or other 
    satisfactory sources in an amount that will provide for facility 
    operation and maintenance, a reasonable reserve, and payment of the 
    debt. The Rural Development State Director may obtain needed assistance 
    in determining economic feasibility from officials of NRCS and other 
    appropriate USDA agencies. See Sec. 1780.7(f) of this chapter for 
    applicable economic feasibility requirements and feasibility reports.
        (c) Notes, bonds, and bond transcript documents. See subpart D of 
    Part 1780 of this chapter for applicable requirements and provisions.
        (d) Insurance. See Sec. 1780.39(g) of this chapter for 
    requirements.
        (e) National flood insurance. The requirements of the National 
    Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4001 et seq.) as amended by the 
    Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C. 4003 et seq.) will be 
    complied with in accordance with applicable provisions of RD 
    Instruction 1901-L. Also see Sec. 1780.39(g) of this chapter.
        (f) Borrower contracts and bonds. See subpart C of Part 1780 of 
    this chapter for applicable provisions.
        (g) Title requirements. (1) Title evidence for land, easements, and 
    rights-of-way to be acquired with proceeds of loans or advances will be 
    furnished by the sponsoring local organization in accordance with NRCS 
    policies and procedures.
        (2) RUS will specify and approve the form and content of 
    instruments for conveying title to or interest in real estate on which 
    a lien will be taken to
    
    [[Page 33506]]
    
    secure a WS loan, WS advance, or RCD loan. These should be consistent 
    with the applicable provisions of Sec. 1780.14 of this chapter. The 
    Rural Development State Director will make his decision after 
    consultation with the Regional Attorney and the State Conservationist. 
    He will notify NRCS in writing of his decision. Thereafter, title 
    clearance will be completed under NRCS regulations except that a 
    marketable title must be obtained on any tract of land, a part of which 
    will be sold as excess land in accordance with Sec. 1781.6(a)(9). In 
    addition to the title evidence required by NRCS, applicants will 
    furnish an opinion of legal counsel on all land and interest in land 
    acquired with loan or advance funds.
        (h) Purchasing lands, rights and facilities. The amounts paid for 
    lands, rights, and facilities with loan funds will be not more than 
    that determined to be reasonable and fair by the loan approval official 
    based upon an appraisal of the current market value made by an Rural 
    Development employee or an independent appraiser.
        (i) Water rights. Applicants will be required to comply with 
    applicable State and local laws and regulations governing 
    appropriating, diverting, storing and using water, changing the place 
    and manner of use of water, and in disposing of water. All of the 
    rights of any landowner, appropriator, or user of water from any source 
    will be fully honored in all respects as they may be affected by 
    facilities installed with WS loans and advances and RCD loans. If, 
    under the provisions of State law, notice of the proposed diversion or 
    storage of water by the applicant may be filed, the applicant will be 
    required to file such a notice. An applicant must furnish evidence to 
    provide reasonable assurance that its water rights will be or have been 
    properly established, will not interfere with prior vested rights, will 
    likely not be contested or enjoined by other water users or riparian 
    owners, and will be within the provisions of any applicable interstate 
    compact.
    
    
    Sec. 1781.10  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 1781.11  Other considerations.
    
        (a) Technical assistance. When pipelines from reservoirs to 
    treatment plants are included in watershed work plans, NRCS will not 
    furnish engineering services for their design or installation. When 
    such pipelines are to be financed by WS or RCD loans, RUS will 
    supervise the activities of the private engineers retained for the 
    purpose. Such RUS supervision will include, among other things, 
    approval of private engineer's contracts, approval of plans and 
    specifications, authorization of contract awards, spot checks of 
    engineering inspection, and final inspection and acceptance.
        (b) Professional services. Applicants will be responsible for 
    providing the services necessary to plan projects including design of 
    facilities, preparation of cost and income estimates, development of 
    proposals for organization and financing, and overall operation and 
    maintenance of the facility. Necessary professional services may 
    include such as that of an engineer, architect, attorney, bond counsel, 
    accountant, auditor, and financial advisor or fiscal agent. Form RD 
    442-19, ``Agreement for Engineering Services,'' may be used when 
    appropriate. RUS Bulletin 1780-7, ``Legal Service Agreement'' may be 
    used to prepare the agreement for legal services.
        (c) Other services. Contracts for other services such as 
    management, operation, and maintenance will be developed by the 
    applicant and presented to the RUS official developing the docket for 
    review and approval.
        (d) Fees for services. Fees provided for in contracts, agreements 
    or services will not be more than those ordinarily charged by the 
    profession for similar work when RUS financing is not involved.
        (e) State pollution control or Environmental Protection Agency 
    standards. Facilities will be designed, installed and operated to 
    prevent pollution of water in excess of established standards. Effluent 
    disposal will conform with appropriate State and Federal Water 
    Pollution Control Standards.
        (f) Water pollution. When repayment of a WS loan, WS advance, or 
    RCD loan will be dependent upon income from the use or sale of water, 
    RUS approval will be contingent upon a determination that the proposed 
    use of stored water for recreation or municipal supply might not be 
    permitted by a State health department because the water is being 
    polluted from an upstream or other source.
        (g) Environmental requirements. Actions will be taken to comply 
    with the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) in 
    accordance with subpart G of part 1940 of this title. When 
    environmental assessments and environmental impact statements have been 
    prepared on WS plans or RCD area plans by NRCS, a separate 
    environmental impact statement or assessment on WS works of improvement 
    or RCD measures for which a WS loan, WS advance, or RCD loan is 
    requested will not be necessary unless the NRCS environmental review 
    fails to meet the requirements of subpart G of part 1940 of this title. 
    The Rural Development State Director should document the action taken 
    by NRCS in compliance with the requirements of the National 
    Environmental Policy Act and formally adopt the impact statement or 
    assessment if satisfactory. If a determination is made that a further 
    analysis of the environmental impact is needed, the Rural Development 
    State Director will make necessary arrangements with the State NRCS 
    conservationist for such action to be taken before a loan is made.
        (h) National Historic Preservation Act. All projects will comply 
    with the provisions of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 
    (16 U.S.C. 470 et seq.) in accordance with RD Instruction 1901-F.
        (i) Civil Rights Act of 1964. Recipients of WS loans, WS advances, 
    or RCD loans are subject to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 
    (42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.), which prohibits discrimination because of 
    race, color, or national origin. Borrowers must agree not to 
    discriminate in their operations by signing Form RD 400-4, 
    ``Nondiscrimination Agreement,'' before loan closing. This requirement 
    should be discussed with the applicant as early in the negotiations as 
    possible. Necessary actions will be taken in accordance with RD 
    Instruction 1901-E.
        (j) Appraisals. When required by the Rural Development State 
    Director, appraisals will be made by an Rural Development official 
    designated or an independent appraiser. Form RD 442-10, ``Appraisal 
    Report--Water and Waste Disposal Systems,'' with appropriate 
    supplements, may be modified as needed for use with the type of 
    facilities being appraised.
        (k) Architectural Barriers Act of 1968. All facilities financed 
    with RUS loans and grants which are accessible to the public or in 
    which physically handicapped persons may be employed or reside must be 
    developed in compliance with this act (42 U.S.C. 4151 et seq.).
    
    
    Sec. 1781.12  Preapplication and application processing.
    
        (a) WS and RCD Loans.--(1) Preapplications. (i) The processing 
    office or other person designated by the Rural Development State 
    Director may assist the applicant in completing SF 424.1, ``Application 
    for Federal Assistance (For Non-construction),'' and will forward one 
    of SF 424.1 to the Rural Development State Director.
        (ii) The Rural Development State Director will review SF 424.1 
    along with other necessary information and will
    
    [[Page 33507]]
    
    coordinate selection of preapplications to be processed with NRCS. He 
    will consult with NRCS State Conservationist concerning the status of 
    the WS plan or RCD measure plan, the estimated time schedule for 
    construction and cost of the proposed works to be installed with the 
    loan, cost sharing funds to be made available to the applicant, and 
    other pertinent information.
        (iii) Form AD-622, ``Notice of Preapplication Review Action,'' will 
    be prepared and signed by the Rural Development State Director within 
    forty-five (45) days from receipt of the preapplication in the 
    processing office stating the results of the review action. An original 
    and one copy of Form AD-622 will be sent to the processing office who 
    will deliver the original to the applicant.
        (2) Applications. (i) The application includes applicable forms and 
    information indicated in RUS Instruction 1780. When the Rural 
    Development State Director determines that an application will be 
    further processed and Form AD-622 is delivered, he will designate a 
    community program specialist (field), or a member of the community 
    program staff to assist the processing office and the applicant with 
    assembling and processing the application.
        (ii) The processing office should arrange needed conferences with 
    the applicant and its legal and engineering consultants, and when 
    necessary, arrange for review of other Rural Development officials, and 
    provide bulletins, forms, instructions and other assistance with 
    assembling and processing the application. A processing checklist and 
    time schedule will be established by using Form RD 1942-40, 
    ``Processing Check List (Public Bodies),'' or Form RD 1942-39, 
    ``Processing Check List (Other than Public Bodies).'' The processing 
    office will send a letter and a copy of the processing checklist to the 
    applicant to confirm decisions reached at the conference. The original 
    and a copy of the processing checklist will be kept in the processing 
    office and will be posted current as application processing actions are 
    taken. The copy will be circulated from the processing office to the 
    State Office for use in updating copies of the forms retained, after 
    which it will be returned from the State Office to the processing 
    office.
        (3) Dockets. WS loan, WS advance, and RCD loan dockets will be 
    developed and assembled in accordance with applicable RUS Instruction 
    1780.
        (b) Watershed advances. Applications for WS advances will be 
    developed and processed with NRCS assistance as necessary.
        (1) The Rural Development State Director will arrange with the NRCS 
    State Conservationist to be advised when a local sponsoring 
    organization applies to NRCS for a WS advance.
        (2) The Rural Development State Director will request the NRCS 
    State Conservationist to provide information justifying the WS advance 
    along with a written recommendation that it be made. This will include:
        (i) Economic feasibility of the proposed WS advance.
        (ii) Evidence of the legal authority of the sponsoring local 
    organization to incur the obligation and make required payments.
        (iii) Any limitations on the issuance of additional bonds or notes 
    which may be imposed by the provisions of bond ordinances or on 
    resolutions which authorize the issuance of any outstanding obligation 
    of the sponsoring local organization.
        (iv) The amount of WS advance funds to be provided, purpose for 
    which funds will be used, and date funds will be needed.
        (3) When the above information has been made available to the Rural 
    Development State Director, he will send written recommendations 
    concerning further action on the WS advance request to the NRCS State 
    Conservationist including actions to be taken in the preparation of the 
    WS advance docket.
        (c) Combination WS loans and WS advances. If an applicant requests 
    both a WS loan and WS advance, the application for the WS loan should 
    indicate the amount of the WS advance needed and whether a request for 
    it has been made to NRCS. The Rural Development State Director and the 
    NRCS State Conservationist will coordinate applicable processing 
    actions of such applications. When the Rural Development State Director 
    determines that favorable consideration will be given to an application 
    for a loan or advance, he will provide instructions to the processing 
    office for completing and processing the appropriate docket. Any 
    questions concerning eligibility or other legal matters should be 
    cleared with the Regional Attorney.
        (d) Review of Decision. When it is determined that the 
    preapplication or application cannot be given favorable consideration, 
    the Rural Development State Director will return it to the processing 
    office along with written reasons. When the processing office receives 
    this information, it will notify the applicant in writing of the 
    reasons why the request was not favorably considered. The notification 
    to the applicant will state that the RUS Administrator may be requested 
    to review the decision. This action will be taken in accordance with 
    Sec. 1780.37 of this chapter.
        (1) Upon receipt of the State Office copy of a review request from 
    the applicant, the Rural Development State Director will furnish a 
    report on the matter to the Administrator.
        (2) The Administrator will notify the applicant and the Rural 
    Development State Director in writing of his decision and the reasons 
    therefore.
    
    
    Sec. 1781.13  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 1781.14  Planning, options, and appraisals.
    
        (a) WS and RCD area plans are developed by sponsoring local 
    agencies and organizations with technical assistance from NRCS and 
    other Federal and State agencies. These plans include WS works of 
    improvement and RCD measures to be developed or constructed for which 
    NRCS construction funds may be made available on a cost share basis 
    along with funds provided by the sponsoring local organization, a 
    portion or all of which may be obtained by a WS loan and/or WS advance 
    or a RCD loan.
        (b) Current information on the availability of cost share funds and 
    purposes for which they may be used is provided by NRCS. The amount of 
    NRCS cost share funds and the amount of funds to be provided by the 
    sponsoring local organizations will be indicated in each plan. The 
    estimated amount of WS loan, WS advance or RCD loan anticipated by the 
    sponsoring local organization should also be included.
        (c) Plans for the development or construction of individual WS 
    works of improvement and RCD measures will normally be developed with 
    NRCS technical assistance. In every case they will be approved by both 
    the NRCS State conservationist and the Rural Development State Director 
    or their designated agent when a WS loan, WS advance or RCD loan is 
    made.
        (d) Options and appraisals related to the purchase of real estate 
    for which a WS loan, WS advance, or RCD loan is made must be developed 
    in accordance with NRCS and RUS requirements and approved by RUS. The 
    determination of present market value will be made in accordance with 
    Sec. 1780.44(g) of this chapter.
    
    
    Sec. 1781.15  Planning and performing development.
    
        Planning and performing development will be handled in accordance 
    with subpart C of part 1780
    
    [[Page 33508]]
    
    of this chapter and guidance from NRCS.
    
    
    Sec. 1781.16  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 1781.17  Docket preparation and processing.
    
        (a) Loan dockets. Dockets for WS loans, WS advances and RCD loans 
    will be prepared in accordance with the applicable provisions of part 
    1780 of this chapter.
        (1) Time for preparation of docket. Docket preparation may begin as 
    soon as a preliminary draft of the watershed plan or RCD area plan, 
    together with an estimate of costs and benefits, have been prepared 
    with the assistance of NRCS and approved by the sponsoring local 
    organization applicant. However, the applicant must understand that 
    approval of the WS loan, WS advance, or RCD loan will not be determined 
    until the work plan has been authorized for assistance by NRCS. To the 
    extent practicable, docket preparation may be completed by that time to 
    facilitate the availability of funds when needed.
        (2) Instructions for preparation of docket. When the Rural 
    Development State Director has determined that plans and other 
    requirements are completed to the extent that preparation of the loan 
    docket may begin, he will send the processing office a memorandum 
    giving complete instructions for docket preparation, with a list of 
    documents to be included in the docket.
        (3) Objectives of the docket. The docket should include information 
    for use in determining that:
        (i) The sponsoring local organization:
        (A) Has legal authority to construct and operate the proposed 
    facility, borrow money, give security, incur debt, and generate revenue 
    needed for operation, maintenance, reserves, debt payment, and other 
    cash requirements.
        (B) Is a sponsor or cosponsor of the WS plan or RCD work plan and 
    is otherwise eligible for assistance.
        (ii) Funds will be used for authorized purposes.
        (iii) The source of income to be pledged for debt payment and the 
    security proposed is adequate.
        (iv) Actions required for loan closing are administratively 
    satisfactory, legally sufficient and properly documented in accordance 
    with Agency regulations.
        (4) Assembly of the docket. The docket will be assembled in 
    accordance with paragraph (a)(2) of this section and will include the 
    following:
        (i) A copy of the WS works of improvement agreement or RCD measure 
    agreement.
        (ii) A copy of the Operation and Maintenance Agreement between NRCS 
    and the WS or RCD sponsoring local organization for the WS works of 
    improvement or the RCD measure.
        (iii) A statement from the NRCS State Conservationist concurring in 
    the feasibility of the WS work of improvement or RCD measure and that 
    NRCS is providing financial and/or technical assistance in accordance 
    with applicable WS or RCD authorities.
        (5) Narrative by processing office. This should be included in or 
    attached to the Project Summary. It should relate project costs to 
    benefits of the WS or RCD loan or WS advance. Minimum and average 
    individual charges, tax levies or assessments should be given where 
    applicable. Where taxes or assessments on land will be levied, acres 
    should be indicated and average cost per acre should be given. Analyses 
    of income from recreational facilities should be based on the best 
    information available from local, State, and Federal agencies concerned 
    with such recreation facilities. Determination of water rates, 
    schedules, and estimated consumption of water should be made by the 
    same methods as for loans for domestic water and irrigation.
        (6) Estimates of right-of-way Costs. The docket should include, as 
    part of the Project Summary, current estimated costs of easements, 
    rights-of-way, and other land rights which must be acquired. The amount 
    estimated for such purposes in the WS or RCD plan should reflect 
    current conditions.
        (b) Loan processing by State Office.--(1) Review of the docket. The 
    processing office will check the docket for accuracy and completeness 
    and forward it to the State Office with their recommendations. The 
    Rural Development State Director will review the docket to determine 
    that:
        (i) All documents are accurate and complete.
        (ii) The proposed loan complies with WS and RCD program policies 
    and procedures of both RUS and NRCS.
        (iii) Security is adequate and the repayment plan is sound.
        (iv) Funds requested are for authorized purposes.
        (v) Actions are in compliance with requirements of applicable 
    Federal and State laws.
        (2) Letter of conditions. When the Rural Development State Director 
    determines that the docket is complete and the proposed activity is 
    feasible, he will prepare a proposed letter of conditions under which 
    the application may be further processed. The letter will be delivered 
    to and discussed with the applicant. Upon acceptance of the conditions 
    the applicant will indicate intentions to meet the conditions by a 
    letter of interest and the application will be further processed.
        (3) Legal review. The complete docket and proposed letter of 
    conditions will be forwarded to the Regional Attorney, OGC for review 
    and preparation of closing instructions. If it is not possible to issue 
    closing instructions at that time, the Regional Attorney, will issue a 
    preliminary legal opinion commenting upon the applicants legal 
    existence, authority to incur debt and give security for the WS loan, 
    WS advance, or RCD loan requested and actions to be taken before 
    closing instructions may be issued.
        (4) Authorization for approval. When the Rural Development State 
    Director receives closing instructions or a preliminary legal opinion 
    for a WS loan, WS advance, or RCD loan that is not within his approval 
    authority he will send this information along with the docket, the 
    proposed letter of conditions, and a memorandum recommending approval 
    to the National Office. A copy of his memorandum will be sent to the 
    processing office. If the proposed action is within the Rural 
    Development State Director's approval authority he need not submit the 
    material listed in this paragraph (b)(4) to the National Office unless 
    he wants review and comments before approval.
        (c) WS advance processing. (1) When the Rural Development State 
    Director has concurred with the NRCS State Conservationist in the 
    inclusion of a WS advance in a watershed plan, preparation of the 
    advance docket can be initiated and will be processed in the same 
    manner as for a WS loan. Where both a WS loan and WS advance are 
    planned only one docket will be prepared to include both the WS loan 
    and WS advance.
        (2) If the advance appears to be sound and proper, the Rural 
    Development State Director will send a proposed memorandum of 
    concurrence to the NRCS State Conservationist. The memorandum will 
    state that RUS concurs in the execution of a work of improvement 
    agreement for which NRCS will obligate advance funds and that RUS will 
    accept the proposed obligations of the applicant to repay the advance 
    subject to conditions specified in or attached to the memorandum. These 
    conditions will include all appropriate requirements in accordance with 
    paragraph (b)(2) of this section and will specify compliance with 
    closing instructions issued by the Regional Attorney. It will also 
    indicate that preparation of the WS advance docket will be in 
    accordance with paragraph (a) of this section.
    
    [[Page 33509]]
    
        (3) The Rural Development State Director and the NRCS State 
    Conservationist will sign the memorandum of concurrence to NRCS when:
        (i) It has been determined that funds for the advance will be 
    obligated by NRCS; and
        (ii) The WS advance docket, has been approved; and
        (iii) Closing instructions have been issued by the Regional 
    Attorney; and
        (iv) The Rural Development State Director and NRCS State 
    Conservationist have determined that the applicant can comply with all 
    requirements of the letter of conditions and closing instructions.
    
    
    Sec. 1781.18  Feasibility.
    
        (a) Before WS loan, WS advance, or RCD loan is approved, a 
    determination of feasibility will be made by the Rural Development 
    State Director based upon a review of plans developed in cooperation 
    with NRCS personnel. The feasibility determination must have the 
    concurrence of the NRCS State Conservationist before a WS loan, WS 
    advance, or RCD loan is approved.
        (b) A written assessment of the project's feasibility will be made 
    by the processing office, Architect/Engineer, and Program Chief in 
    their recommendations or comments on the Project Summary. These should 
    reflect concurrence of the respective NRCS personnel in counterpart 
    positions with whom they cooperate in administering these programs.
    
    
    Sec. 1781.19  Approval, closing, and cancellation.
    
        (a) Approval and closing actions will be taken in accordance with 
    the applicable provisions of part 1780 of this chapter and the 
    following requirements have been met:
        (1) The WS or RCD plan has been approved for operations by NRCS and 
    the applicant is an official sponsoring or cosponsoring local 
    organization for the plan as evidenced by being included in the list of 
    sponsoring or co-sponsoring local organizations in the plan.
        (2) Closing instructions or a preliminary legal opinion has been 
    prepared by the Regional Attorney.
        (3) The governing body of the applicant's sponsoring local 
    organization has formally passed and approved the loan resolution.
        (4) The Rural Development State Director and NRCS State 
    Conservationist have determined that all planned actions can be carried 
    out as proposed in the project plan and the docket.
        (5) The NRCS State Conservationist and Rural Development State 
    Director have mutually agreed on the priority to be given the WS loan 
    or WS advance, or RCD loan. In making this determination, consideration 
    will be given to the relative priority of the WS works of improvement 
    or RCD measures to all other such work in the State and the anticipated 
    availability of Federal and local funds to assure continuity of action 
    and work until the project is completed. When funds are to be provided 
    by NRCS for a WS or RCD loan or a WS advance such funds must be 
    obligated by NRCS before closing.
        (6) Public bodies will be required to use bond counsel in 
    accordance with subpart D of part 1780 of this chapter.
        (b) When favorable action is not taken on a WS loan, WS advance, or 
    RCD loan, the Rural Development State Director will notify the NRCS 
    State Conservationist and the applicant in writing and, if possible, 
    arrange for a meeting of RUS and NRCS representatives with the 
    applicant to explain the action. WS loans, WS advances, or RCD loans 
    may be canceled before closing.
    
    
    Sec. 1781.20  Disbursement of WS and RCD loan funds and WS advance 
    funds.
    
        (a) WS and RCD loan funds will be disbursed by the processing 
    office in accordance with the applicable provisions of Sec. 1780.45 of 
    this chapter and RUS Bulletin 1781-1, paragraph (5). Funds will be made 
    available to the borrower as needed for payment of development or other 
    costs for which the loan is made. The processing office must determine 
    that the payment is for an authorized purpose and is for benefits 
    accrued to the borrower. This will require evidence from NRCS in 
    accordance with the applicable provisions of RUS Bulletin 1781-1, 
    ``Memorandum of Understanding Between RUS and NRCS.''
        (b) WS advance funds may be disbursed in the same manner as WS loan 
    funds if such funds are transferred to RUS by NRCS for disbursement or 
    they may be disbursed by NRCS. When WS advance funds are disbursed by 
    NRCS, payments from advance of funds will be reported to the Rural 
    Development State Director each month to be reported to the Finance 
    Office and charged to the borrower's account. This action will be taken 
    in accordance with the applicable provisions of RUS Bulletin 1781-1 or 
    RUS Bulletin 1781-2 and agreement between the NRCS State 
    Conservationist and Rural Development State Director as follows:
        (1) When a future water supply is being developed with NRCS, WS 
    advance funds, the NRCS State Conservationist will send the Rural 
    Development State Director a monthly report of funds disbursed. This 
    will include three (3) copies of Form NRCS-AS-49a and 49b, ``Contract 
    Payment Estimate and Construction Progress Report,'' along with a 
    transmittal Memorandum showing the sequential number (first, second, 
    third, etc.) of the payment, the amount and date of payment, the check 
    number by which the payment was made and the cumulative amount of 
    advance funds disbursed to date. When the works of improvement, for 
    which WS advance funds are used is completed the final report will, in 
    addition to the above, show the date that construction was completed 
    and the total amount of WS advance funds used.
        (2) WS advances for construction costs will be set out each month 
    on Form NRCS-49a. The Rural Development State Director should make 
    arrangements with the NRCS State Conservationist to be supplied each 
    month with a copy of Form NRCS 49a when advance funds are included 
    together with an official statement from the NRCS State Administrative 
    Officer giving the date of the check and the exact amount of each 
    advance of funds made under the advance provisions of the project 
    agreement or of any engineering services agreement or other 
    supplementary agreement which further implements the proposal for the 
    advance in the project agreement. The original will be sent immediately 
    to the Finance Office and a copy provided for the processing office 
    file.
        (3) When WS advance funds are used to acquire property for site 
    preservation the same reporting procedure as for a future water supply 
    will be used except that Form NRCS-AS-49a and 49b if used, should be 
    adopted to indicate fund use. As payments are made on land on which a 
    mortgage or other security instrument is required, such instruments 
    will be executed in accordance with instructions from the Regional 
    Attorney, OGC.
        (4) The Rural Development State Director must send the bond or note 
    evidencing WS advance indebtedness of the borrower to the Finance 
    Office along with reports of payments from advance funds disbursed by 
    NRCS. A copy of the bond or note and copy of each report of payment 
    will be sent to the processing office.
        (c) Actions subsequent to closing of loans or advances. Actions 
    will be taken in accordance with Sec. 1780.44 of this chapter.
    
    [[Page 33510]]
    
    Sec. 1781.21  Borrower accounting methods, management, reporting, and 
    audits.
    
        These activities will be handled in accordance with the provisions 
    of Sec. 1780.47 of this chapter.
    
    
    Sec. 1781.22  Subsequent loans.
    
        Subsequent loans will be processed in accordance with this part.
    
    
    Sec. 1781.23  Servicing.
    
        Servicing will be handled in accordance with the provisions of 
    subpart E of part 1951 of this title.
    
    
    Sec. 1781.24  State supplements and availability of bulletins, 
    instructions, forms, and memorandums.
    
        (a) State supplements will be issued as needed in accordance with 
    applicable provisions of part 1780 of this chapter.
        (b) Bulletins, instructions, forms and memorandums are available 
    from any USDA/Rural Development office or the Rural Utilities Service, 
    United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC. 20250-1500.
    
    
    Secs. 1781.25--1781.100  [Reserved]
    
    PART 1901--PROGRAM-RELATED INSTRUCTIONS
    
    Subpart E--Civil Rights Compliance Requirements*C*
    
        6. The authority citation for subpart E of part 1901 continues to 
    read as follows:
    
        Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 7 U.S.C. 1989; 40 U.S.C. 442; 42 U.S.C. 
    1480, 2942.
    
        7. Section 1901.204 is amended by revising paragraph (a)(25) to 
    read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 1901.204  Compliance reviews.
    
        (a) * * *
        (25) Section 306C WWD loans and grants.
    * * * * *
    
    PART 1940--GENERAL
    
        8. The authority citation for part 1940 is revised to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 7 U.S.C. 1989; 42 U.S.C. 1480.
    
    Subpart L--Methodology and Formulas for Allocation of Loan and 
    Grant Program Funds
    
    
    Secs. 1940.586 and 1940.587  [Removed and Reserved]
    
        9. Sections 1940.586 and 1940.587 are removed and reserved.
    
    PART 1942--ASSOCIATIONS
    
        10. The authority citation for part 1942 continues to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 7 U.S.C. 1989; 16 U.S.C. 1005.
    
    Subpart A--Community Facility Loans
    
        11. Section 1942.1 is amended by revising paragraph (a) to read as 
    follows:
    
    
    Sec. 1942.1  General.
    
        (a) This subpart outlines the policies and procedures for making 
    and processing insured loans for community facilities except for fire 
    and rescue and water and waste disposal facilities. This subpart 
    applies to community facility loans for fire and rescue facilities only 
    as specifically provided for in subpart C of this part. Water and waste 
    loans are provided for in part 1780 of this title. The Agency shall 
    cooperate fully with State and local agencies in making loans to assure 
    maximum support to the State strategy for rural development. State 
    Directors and their staffs shall maintain coordination and liaison with 
    State agency and substate planning districts. Funds allocated for use 
    under this subpart are also for the use of Indian tribes within the 
    State, regardless of whether State development strategies include 
    Indian reservations within the State's boundaries. Indians residing on 
    such reservations must have equal opportunity to participate in the 
    benefits of these programs as compared with other residents of the 
    State. Federal statues provide for extending Agency financial programs 
    without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital 
    status, age, or physical/mental handicap. The participants must possess 
    the capacity to enter into legal contracts under State and local 
    statutes. Any processing or servicing activity conducted pursuant to 
    this subpart involving authorized assistance to Agency employees, 
    members of their families, known close relatives, or business or close 
    personal associates, is subject to the provisions of subpart D of part 
    1900 of this chapter. Applicants for this assistance are required to 
    identify any known relationship or association with an Agency employee.
    * * * * *
        12. Section 1942.17 is amended by revising the heading and 
    introductory text of paragraph (p)(6)(i) to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 1942.17  Community facilities.
    
    * * * * *
        (p) * * *
        (6) * * *
        (i) Agency loan and/or grant funds. Remaining funds may be used for 
    purposes authorized by paragraph (d) of this section, provided the use 
    will not result in major changes to the facility design or project and 
    that the purposes of the loan and/or grant remains the same.
    * * * * *
    
    Subpart G--Rural Business Enterprise Grants and Television 
    Demonstration Grants
    
        13. Section 1942.308 is amended by revising paragraph (c) to read 
    as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 1942.308  Regional Commission grants.
    
    * * * * *
        (c) ARC is authorized under the Appalachian Regional Development 
    Act of 1965 (40 U.S.C. 1-405), as amended, to serve the Appalachian 
    region. ARC grants are handled in accordance with the ARC Agreement 
    which applies to all ARC grants administered by the Agency. Therefore, 
    a separate Project Management Agreement between the Agency and ARC is 
    not needed for each ARC grant.
    * * * * *
        14. Section 1942.349 is revised to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 1942.349  Forms, guides, and attachments.
    
        Guides 1 and 2 of this subpart, Attachment 1 and Forms referenced 
    (all available in any Rural Development office) are for use in 
    administering RBE/television demonstration grants.
    
    Subpart H--[Removed and Reserved]
    
        15. Subpart H of part 1942 is removed and reserved.
    
    PART 1951--SERVICING AND COLLECTIONS
    
        16. The authority citation for part 1951 continues to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 7 U.S.C. 1989; 42 U.S.C. 1480.
    
    Subpart E--Servicing of Community and Insured Business Programs 
    Loans and Grants
    
        17. Section 1951.201 is revised to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 1951.201  Purposes.
    
        This subpart prescribes the Rural Development mission area 
    policies, authorizations, and procedures for servicing Water and Waste 
    Disposal System loans and grants; Community Facility loans and grants; 
    Rural Business Enterprise/Television Demonstration grants; loans for 
    Grazing and other shift-in-land-use projects; Association Recreation 
    loans; Association Irrigation and Drainage loans; Watershed loans and 
    advances; Resource Conservation and Development loans; Insured Business 
    loans; Economic Opportunity
    
    [[Page 33511]]
    
    Cooperative loans; loans to Indian Tribes and Tribal Corporations; 
    Rural Renewal loans; Energy Impacted Area Development Assistance 
    Program grants; National Nonprofit Corporation grants; Water and Waste 
    Disposal Technical Assistance and Training grants; Emergency Community 
    Water Assistance grants; System for Delivery of Certain Rural 
    Development Programs panel grants; section 306C WWD loans and grants; 
    and Rural Technology and Cooperative Development Grants in subpart F of 
    part 4284 of this title. Rural Development State Offices act on behalf 
    of the Rural Utilities Service, the Rural Business-Cooperative Service, 
    and the Farm Service Agency as to loan and grant programs formerly 
    administered by the Farmers Home Administration and the Rural 
    Development Administration. Loans sold without insurance to the private 
    sector will be serviced in the private sector and will not be serviced 
    under this subpart. The provisions of this subpart are not applicable 
    to such loans. Future changes to this subpart will not be made 
    applicable to such loans.
    
    PART 1956--DEBT SETTLEMENT
    
        18. The authority citation for part 1951 continues to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 7 U.S.C. 1989; 31 U.S.C. 3711; 42 
    U.S.C. 1480.
    
    Subpart C--Debt Settlement-Community and Business Programs
    
        19. Section 1956.101 is revised to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 1956.101  Purposes.
    
        This subpart delegates authority and prescribes policies and 
    procedures for debt settlement of Water and Waste Disposal System 
    loans; Community Facility loans; Association Recreation loans; 
    Watershed loans and advances; Resource, Conservation and Development 
    loans; Rural Renewal loans; direct Business and Industry loans; 
    Irrigation and Drainage loans; Shift-in-land-use loans; and Indian 
    Tribal Land Acquisition loans; and Section 306C WWD loans. Settlement 
    of Economic Opportunity Cooperative loans, Claims Against Third Party 
    Converters, Nonprogram loans, Rural Business Enterprise/Television 
    Demonstration Grants, Rural Development Loan Fund loans, Intermediary 
    Relending Program loans, Nonprofit National Corporations Loans and 
    Grants, and 601 Energy Impact Assistance Grants, is not authorized 
    under independent statutory authority and settlement under these 
    programs is handled pursuant to the Federal Claims Collection Joint 
    Standards, 4 CFR parts 101-105 as described in Sec. 1956.147 of this 
    subpart.
    
        Dated: May 15, 1997.
    Jill Long Thompson,
    Under Secretary for Rural Development.
    [FR Doc. 97-13445 Filed 6-18-97; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 3410-15-P
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
6/19/1997
Published:
06/19/1997
Department:
Farm Service Agency
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
97-13445
Dates:
June 19, 1997.
Pages:
33462-33511 (50 pages)
RINs:
0572-AB20: Streamlining the Rural Utilities Service's Water and Waste Program Regulations
RIN Links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/0572-AB20/streamlining-the-rural-utilities-service-s-water-and-waste-program-regulations
PDF File:
97-13445.pdf
CFR: (232)
7 CFR 1778.11(a)
7 CFR 1780.3(a)
7 CFR 1780.39(b)(1)
7 CFR 1780.10(c)
7 CFR 1780.39(c)(4)(ii)
More ...