05-16183. 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 RUS intends to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

DATES:

Comments on this notice must be received by October 17, 2005.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Richard C. Annan, Director, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities Service, 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 reinstatement.

Comments are invited on: (a) Whether this 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 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 respondents, 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, Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, STOP 1522, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250-1522. Fax: [phone].

Title: 7 CFR Part 1724, Electric Engineering, Architectural Services and Design Policies and Procedures.

OMB Control Number: 0572-0118.

Type of Request: Extension of a previously approved collection.

Abstract: The rule requires borrower to use three RUS contract forms under certain circumstances. The use of standard forms helps assure RUS that:

• Appropriate standards and specifications are maintained;
• RUS loan security is not adversely affected; and
• Loan and loan guarantee funds are used effectively and for the intended purpose.

Standardization of forms by RUS results in substantial savings to:

• Borrowers—If standard forms were not used, borrowers would need to prepare their own documents at significant expense; and
• Government—If standard forms were not used, each document submitted by a borrower would require extensive and costly review by both RUS and the Office of General Counsel.

Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response.

Respondents: Businesses, not-for-profit institutions and others.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 155.

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 155 hours.

Copies of this information collection can be obtained from MaryPat Daskal, 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 5, 2005.

Michael P. Thieman,

Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.