[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 172 (Tuesday, September 7, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 48577]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-23186]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service
Information Collection Activity; Comment Request
AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
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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 RUS intends
to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by November 8, 1999.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: F. Lamont Heppe, Jr., Program
Development & Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities Service, USDA, 1400
Independence Ave., SW., STOP 1522, Room 4034 South Building,
Washington, DC 20250-1522. Telephone: (202) 720-0736. FAX: (202) 720-
4120.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Seismic Safety of New Building Construction.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0099.
Type of Request: Reinstatement with change of previously approved
information collection.
Abstract: The Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (42 U.S.C.
7701 et seq.) was enacted to reduce risks to life and property through
the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP). The Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is designated as the agency with the
primary responsibility to plan and coordinate the NEHRP. This program
includes the development and implementation of feasible design and
construction methods to make structures earthquake resistant. Executive
Order 12699 of January 5, 1990, Seismic Safety of Federal and Federally
Assisted or Regulated New Building Construction, requires that measures
to assure seismic safety be imposed on federally assisted new building
construction.
Title 7 Part 1792, Subpart C, Seismic Safety of Federally assisted
New Building Construction, identifies acceptable seismic standards
which must be employed in new building construction funded by loans,
grants, or guarantees made by RUS or the Rural Telephone Bank (RTB) or
through lien accommodations or subordinations approved by RUS or RTB.
This subpart implements and explains the provisions of the loan
contract utilized by the RUS for both electric and telecommunications
borrowers and by the RTB for its telecommunications borrowers requiring
construction certifications affirming compliance with the standards.
Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of
information is estimated to average 1.5 hours per response.
Respondents: Small business or organizations.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,000.
Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.2.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 800.
Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Bob
Turner, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, at (202) 720-0696.
Comments are invited on (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 assumption 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 on
other forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to F.
Lamont Heppe, Jr., Director, Program Development and Regulatory
Analysis, Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400
Independence Ave., SW., Stop 1522, Room 4034 South Building,
Washington, D.C. 20250-1522.
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 31, 1999.
Wally Beyer,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 99-23186 Filed 9-3-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P
