E6-13548. 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 October 16, 2006.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Richard C. Annan, Director, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, USDA Rural Development, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., STOP 1522, Room 5818 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 RUS is submitting 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: Richard C. Annan, Director, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, USDA Rural Development, STOP 1522, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250-1522. FAX: [phone].

Title: Emergency and Imminent Community Water Assistance Grants.

Type of Request: Reinstatement, with change, of a previously approved collection for which approval has expired.

OMB Control Number: 0572-0110.

Abstract: This action amends the existing regulation for the Emergency Community Water Assistance Grant (ECWAG) Program to allow grants to be made before an emergency has actually occurred. The ECWAG program was authorized by the Rural Development Act of 1972. The grants are made to public bodies, nonprofit corporations, and Indian tribes for the purpose of improving rural living standards and for other purposes that create safe and affordable drinking water in rural areas or towns with a population not exceeding 10,000 inhabitants.

These grants can be made to construct or improve drinking water facilities serving the most financially needy communities. This revision is undertaken specifically to respond to requirements of Section 6009 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Pub. L. 107-171). (2002 Farm Bill)

Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1.6 hours per response.

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

Estimated Number of Respondents: 100.

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 2.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 400 hours.

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

Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Joyce McNeil, 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: August 11, 2006.

James M. Andrew,

Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.