05-8586. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

April 25, 2005.

The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments regarding (a) whether the 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 burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (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 should be addressed to: Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), [e-mail] or fax [phone] and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602. Comments regarding these information collections are best assured of having their full effect if received within 30 days of this notification. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling [phone].

An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to respond to the collection of information that such persons are not required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

Rural Housing Service

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

OMB Control Number: 0575-0066.

Summary of Collection: Rural Development, hereinafter referred to as Agency, is the credit agency for agricultural and rural development for the Department of Agriculture. The Agency offers supervised credit to build and operate family farms, modest housing, water and sewer systems, essential community facilities, and business and industrial operations in rural areas. Section 331 and 335 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, as amended, authorize the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Agency, to establish provisions for security servicing policies for the loans and grants in questions. If there is a problem which exists, a recipient of the loan, grant, or loan guarantee must furnish financial information which is used to aid in resolving the problem through reamortization, sale, transfer, debt restructuring, liquidation, or other means provided in the regulations.

Need and Use of the Information: RHS will collect information to determine applicant/borrower eligibility and project feasibility for various servicing actions. The information enables field staff to ensure that borrowers operate on a sound basis and use loan and grant funds for authorized purposes.

Description of Respondents: State, Local or Tribal Government; Not-for-profit institutions.

Number of Respondents: 555.

Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 1,175.

Charlene Parker,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.