2010-6426. 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 approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) will be requested.

DATES:

Comments on this notice must be received by May 24, 2010.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Thomas P. Dickson, Deputy Director, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, USDA RUS, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., STOP 1522, Room 5158 South Building, Washington, DC 20250-1522. Telephone: [phone]. FAX: [phone]. E-mail: [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) regulation (5 CFR 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 will be submitted 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 Brooks, Director, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, USDA RUS, STOP 1522, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250-1522. FAX: [phone].

Title: Servicing of Water Programs Loans and Grants.

OMB Control Number: 0572-0137.

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

Abstract: RUS' Water and Environmental Programs (WEP) provide financing and technical assistance for development and operation of safe and affordable water supply systems and sewage and other waste disposal facilities. WEP provides loans, guaranteed loans and grants for water, sewer, storm water, and solid waste disposal facilities in rural areas and towns of up to 10,000 people. The recipients of the assistance covered by 7 CFR part 1782 must be public entities. These can include municipalities, counties, special purpose districts; federally designated Indian tribes, land corporations not operated for profit, including cooperatives. The information, which is for the most part financial in nature, is needed by the Agency to determine if borrowers, based on their individual situations, qualify for the various servicing options.

Estimate of Burden: Public reporting for this collection of information is estimated to average 1.22 hours per response.

Respondents: Business or other for profit and non-profit institutions, and state and local governments.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 493.

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 641 hours.

Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Thomas P. Dickson, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, at [phone]. FAX: [phone]. E-mail: [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: March 18, 2010.

Jonathan Adelstein,

Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.