03-3044. Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection

AGENCIES:

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

ACTION:

Proposed collection; comments requested.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Agencies' intention to request an extension for a currently approved information collection in support of the program for 7 CFR part 1942, subpart A, “Community Facility Loans.”

DATES:

Comments on this notice must be received by April 8, 2003, to be assured consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For program content, contact Derek L. Jones, Loan Specialist, Rural Housing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, STOP 0787, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250-0787, telephone [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Community Facility Loans.

OMB Number: 0575-0015.

Expiration Date of Approval: June 30, 2003.

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

Abstract: The Community Facilities loan 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 for the development of community facilities for public use in rural areas.

Community Facilities programs have been in existence for many years. These programs have financed a wide range of projects varying in size and complexity from large general hospitals to small day care centers. The facilities financed are designed to promote the development of rural communities by providing the infrastructure necessary to attract residents and rural jobs.

Information will be collected by the field offices from applicants, borrowers, and consultants. This information will be used to determine applicant/borrower eligibility, project feasibility, and to ensure borrowers operate on a sound basis and use funds for authorized purposes.

Failure to collect proper information could result in improper determination of eligibility, improper use of funds, and/or unsound loans.

Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1.8 hours per response.

Respondents: Public bodies, not for profits, or Indian tribes.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 3,231.

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 10.3.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 61,076 hours.

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

Comments

Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of RHS, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of RHS’ 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, STOP 0742, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20250. 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 3, 2003.

Arthur A. Garcia,

Administrator, Rural Housing Service.

Dated: January 27, 2003.

John Rosso,

Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.

Dated: January 29, 2003.

Hilda Legg,

Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.

Dated: January 30, 2003.

Verle E. Lanier,

Acting Administrator, Farm Service Agency.