[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 223 (Wednesday, November 19, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61727-61728]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-30372]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Housing Service
Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved
Information Collection
AGENCIES: Rural Housing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Proposed collection: comments request.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this
notice announces the Rural Housing Service (RHS) intention to request
an extension for a currently approved information collection in support
of compliance with applicable acts for planning and performing site and
other development work.
DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by January 20, 1998 to
be assured consideration.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Samuel J. Hodges III, Architect,
Program Support Staff, RHS, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Stop 0761,
1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, DC 20250-0761, Telephone
(202) 720-9653.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: 7 CFR 1924 Subpart C, ``Planning and Performing Site
Development Work.''
OMB Number: 0575-0164.
Expiration Date of Approval: January 31, 1998.
Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information
collection.
Abstract: The information collection under OMB Number 0575-0042
enables RHS to effectively administer the policies, methods and
responsibilities in planning and performing site development work for
the related construction programs.
Section 501 of Title V of the Housing Act of 1949, as amended,
authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to extend financial assistance
to construct, improve, repair, replace or rehabilitate dwellings, farm
buildings and/or related facilities to provide decent, safe and
sanitary living conditions and adequate farm buildings and other
structures in rural areas.
The Agency makes direct and guaranteed loans to applicants of up to
100 percent of the appraised value of the property, therefore, the site
and its development are an integral part of the building construction
and related facilities being financed. The information collection
required by this regulation is necessary to assure orderly development
of rural areas leading to economically stable communities that consider
the impact of the environment and protection of the borrower and
Government security interests.
Other information collection is required to conform to numerous
Public Laws applying to all federal agencies, such as: Civil Rights
Acts of 1964 and 1968, Historic Preservation Act, Environmental Policy
Act; and to conform to Executive Orders governing use of federal funds.
This information is cleared through the appropriate enforcing Agency or
other executive Department.
The Agency provides forms and/or guidelines to assist in the
collection and submission of information. The information is usually
submitted via hand delivery or U.S. Postal Service to the appropriate
Agency office.
The information is used by the Agency to determine whether a loan
can be approved, to ensure that the Agency has adequate security for
the loans financed, to provide for sound construction and site
development work and to determine that the requirements of the
applicable Acts have been met. The information is also used to monitor
compliance with the terms and conditions of the Agency loans and to
monitor the prudent use of federal funds.
If the information were not collected and submitted, the Agency
would not have control over the type and quality of construction and
site development work planned and performed with federal funds. The
Agency would not be assured that the security provided for loans is
adequate, nor would the Agency be certain that decent, safe and
sanitary dwelling or other adequate structures were being provided to
rural residents as required by the different Acts.
Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of
information is estimated to average 0.138 hours per response.
Respondents: Individuals or households, business or other for-
profit, non-profit institutions, and small businesses or organizations.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 30,000.
Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.5.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 6210 hours.
Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Renita
Bolden, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, at (202) 690-1766.
Comments
Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of
information
[[Page 61728]]
is necessary for the proper performance of the function of RHS,
including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the
accuracy of RHS's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of
information, including the validity of 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 Renita Bolden, Regulations and
Paperwork Management Branch, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural
Development, Stop 0743, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, DC
20250-0753. All responses to this notice will be summarized and
included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will become a
matter of public record.
Dated: November 6, 1997.
Jan E. Shadburn,
Administrator, Rural Housing Service.
[FR Doc. 97-30372 Filed 11-18-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-07-U
