05-3623. Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection

AGENCIES:

Rural Housing Service (RHS), Rural Utilities Service (RUS), and Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS), USDA.

ACTION:

Proposed collection; comments requested.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the above-named Agencies to request an extension for the currently approved information collection in support of the servicing of Community and Direct Business Programs Loans and Grants.

DATES:

Comments on this notice must be received by April 26, 2005 to be assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For inquiries on the Information Collection Package, contact Tracy Givelekian, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, at [phone]. For program content, contact Beth Jones, Senior Loan Specialist, Community Programs Servicing and Special Authorities Branch, RHS, USDA, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Mail Stop 0787, Washington, DC 20250-0787, Telephone [phone], E-mail [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: 7 CFR 1951-E, Servicing of Community and Direct Business Programs Loans and Grants.

OMB Number: 0575-0066.

Expiration Date of Approval: April 30, 2005.

Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information collection.

Abstract: The following Community and Direct Business Programs Loans and Grants are serviced by this currently approved docket (0575-0066). The Community Facilities loan and grant program is authorized by Section 306 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926) to make loans to public entities, nonprofit corporations, and Indian tribes through the Community Facilities program for the development of essential community facilities primarily serving rural residents.

The Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, Title 3 (Pub. L. 88-452), authorizes Economic Cooperative Loans to assist incorporated and unincorporated associations to provide to low-income rural families essential processing, purchasing, or marketing services, supplies, or facilities.

The Food Security Act of 1985, Section 1323 (Pub. L. 99-198), authorizes loan guarantees and grants to Nonprofit National Corporations to provide technical and financial assistance to for-profit or nonprofit local businesses in rural areas.

The Water and Waste Disposal program is authorized by Section 306(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)) to provide basic human amenities, alleviate health hazards, and promote the orderly growth of the rural areas of the Nation by meeting the need for new and improved water and waste disposal systems.

The Business and Industry program is authorized by Section 310B (7 U.S.C. 1932) (Pub. L. 92-419, August 30, 1972) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to improve, develop, or finance business, industry, and employment and improve the economic and environmental climate in rural communities, including pollution abatement control.

The Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, Section 310B(c) (7 U.S.C. 1932(c)), authorized Rural Business Enterprise Grants to public bodies and nonprofit corporations to facilitate the development of private businesses in rural areas.

The Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, Section 310B(f)(i) (7 U.S.C. 1932(c)), authorized Rural Cooperative Development Grants to nonprofit institutions for the purpose of enabling such institutions to establish and operate centers for rural cooperative development.

The purpose of the loan and grant servicing function for the above programs is to assist recipients to meet the objectives of the loans and grants, repay loans on schedule, comply with agreements, and protect the Government's financial interest. Routine servicing responsibilities include collection of payments, compliance reviews, security inspections, review of financial reports, determining applicant/borrower eligibility and project feasibility for various servicing actions, and supervision activities.

Supervision by the Agencies includes, but is not limited to: review of budgets, management reports, audits and financial statements; performing security inspections and providing, arranging, or recommending technical assistance; evaluating environmental impacts of proposed actions by the borrower; and performing civil rights compliance reviews.

Information will be collected by the field offices from applicants, borrowers, consultants, lenders, and attorneys.

Failure to collect information could result in improper servicing of these loans.

Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response.

Respondents: State, local or tribal Governments, Not-for-profit institutions, businesses, and individuals.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 607.

Estimated Number of Responses Per Respondent: 2.

Estimated Number of Responses: 1,307.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,188.

Copies of the information collection can be obtained from Tracy Givelekian, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, at [phone].

Comments: Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agencies, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Agencies' 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 Tracy Givelekian, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, 7th Floor, Room 701, 300 7th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20024. 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: February 17, 2005.

Russell T. Davis,

Administrator, Rural Housing Service.

Dated: February 17, 2005.

Peter J. Thomas,

Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.

Dated: February 18, 2005.

Curtis M. Anderson,

Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.