# 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 (USDA Rural Development Utilities Programs) invites comments on this information collection for which USDA Rural Development Utilities Programs intends to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
**DATES:**
Comments on this notice must be received by September 5, 2006.
**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:**
Richard C. Annan, Director, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, USDA Rural Development Utilities Programs, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., STOP 1522, Room 5818 South Building, Washington, DC 20250-1522. Telephone: (202) 720-0784. FAX: (202) 720-8435.
**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 Programs, U.S. Department of Agriculture, STOP 1522, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250-1522. FAX: (202) 720-8435.
*Title:* Preloan Procedures and Requirements for Telecommunications Program.
*OMB Control Number:* 0572-0079.
*Type of Request:* Extension of a currently approved information collection.
*Abstract:* This program is necessary in order for the USDA Rural Development Utilities Programs (Agency) to determine an applicant's eligibility to borrow from the Agency under the terms of the RE Act. This information is also used by the Agency to determine that the Government's security for loans made by the Agency is reasonable adequate and that the loans will be repaid within the time agreed.
*Estimate of Burden:* Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 9.17 hours per response.
*Respondents:* Business or other for-profit; not-for-profit organizations.
*Estimated Number of Respondents:* 50.
*Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent:* 8.12.
*Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents:* 3,721.
Copies of this information collection can be obtained from MaryPat Daskal, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, at (202) 720-7853, FAX: (202) 720-8435.
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 27, 2006.
James M. Andrew,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.