E6-9613. 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, an agency delivering the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Utilities Programs, 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 August 21, 2006.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Michele Brooks, Deputy Director, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, USDA Rural Development, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., STOP 1522, Room 5159 South Building, Washington, DC 20250-1522. Telephone: [phone]. FAX: [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) regulation (5 CFR part 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 approval.

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, Deputy Director, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, USDA Rural Development, STOP 1522, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250-1522. FAX: [phone].

Title: 7 CFR Part 1738, Rural Broadband Loans and Loan Guarantee Program.

OMB Control Number: 0572-0130.

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

Abstract: USDA Rural Development, through the Rural Utilities Service, is authorized by Title VI, Rural Broadband Access, of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, as amended (RE Act), to provide loans and loan guarantees to fund the cost of construction, improvement, or acquisition of facilities and equipment for the provision of broadband service in eligible rural communities in States and Territories of the United States. The term of the loans is based on the expected composite economic life based on the depreciation of the facilities financed. The term of the loan can be as high as 25 years or even longer. In the interest of protecting loan security and accomplishing the statutory objective of a sound program of rural broadband service access, Title VI of the RE Act requires that Rural Development make or guarantee a loan only if there is reasonable assurance that the loan, together with all outstanding loans and obligations of the borrower will be repaid in full within the time agreed. The items covered by this collection include forms and related documentation to support a loan application, including Form 532 and supporting documentation.

Estimate of Burden: Public reporting for this collection of information is estimated to average 225 hours per response.

Respondents: Businesses and Not-for-profit institutions.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 40.

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 2.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 13,480 hours.

Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Michele Brooks, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, at [phone]. FAX: [phone].

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: June 13, 2006.

James M. Andrew,

Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.