2013-01152. Information Collection Activity; Comment Request

AGENCY:

Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION:

Notice and request for comments.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended), the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) invites comments on this information collection for which RUS intends to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

DATES:

Comments on this notice must be received by March 25, 2013.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Michele L. Brooks, Director, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities Service, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., STOP 1522, Room 5162-South Building, Washington, DC 20250-1522. Telephone: [phone], FAX: [phone] or email [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) regulation (5 CFR part 1320) implementing provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13) requires that interested members of the public and affected agencies have an opportunity to comment on information collection and recordkeeping activities (see 5 CFR 1320.8(d)). This notice identifies an information collection that RUS is submitting to OMB for extension.

Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to: Michele L. Brooks, Director, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, STOP 1522, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20250-1522. Telephone: [phone], Fax: [phone] or email [e-mail].

Title: Seismic Safety of New Building Construction.

OMB Control Number: 0572-0099.

Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved collection.

Abstract: The Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (42 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.) was enacted to reduce risks to life and property through the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP). The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is designated as the agency with the primary responsibility to plan and coordinate the NEHRP. This program includes the development and implementation of feasible design and construction methods to make structures earthquake resistant.

Executive Order 12699 of January 5, 1990, Seismic Safety of Federal and Federally Assisted or Regulated New Building Construction, requires that measures to assure seismic safety be imposed on Federally assisted new building construction.

7 CFR part 1792, subpart C, Seismic Safety of Federally Assisted New Building Construction, identifies acceptable seismic standards which must be employed in new building construction funded by loans, grants, or guarantees made by the Rural Utilities Service, hereinafter referred to as agency, through lien accommodations or subordinations approved by the agency. This subpart implements and explains the provisions of the loan contract utilized by the agency for both electric and telecommunications borrowers concerning acceptable seismic standards. The subpart requires RUS borrowers or grant recipients provide a written acknowledgement for each applicable building from the architect or engineer responsible for the design certifying that seismic provisions pursuant to 7 CFR part 1792 subpart C, will be used in the design and construction of the building.

Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average .75 hour per response.

Respondents: Small business or organizations.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 192.

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 144.

Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Rebecca Hunt, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, at [phone], Fax: [phone] or email: [e-mail].

All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of public record.

Dated: January 15, 2013.

John Charles Padalino,

Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.