Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Housing Service

Rural Business-Cooperative Service

Rural Utilities Service

Farm Service Agency

Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved

Information Collection

AGENCIES: Rural Housing Service, Rural Business-Cooperative Service,

Rural Utilities Service, Farm Service Agency, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed collection; comment requested.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this

notice announces the intention of the Agencies to request an extension

for a currently approved information collection in support of

compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act and other

applicable environmental requirements.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by February 14, 2000 to

be assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard A. Davis, Director, Program

Support Staff, Rural Housing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture,

Stop 0761, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, DC 20250-0761,

Telephone (202) 720-9619.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: 7 CFR 1940 Subpart G, ``Environmental Program.''

OMB Number: 0575-0094.

Expiration Date of Approval: June 30, 2000.

Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information

collection.

Abstract: The information collection under OMB Number 0575-0094

enables the Agencies to effectively administer the policies, methods,

and responsibilities for compliance with the National Environmental

Policy Act and other applicable environmental laws, executive orders,

and regulations.

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires Federal

agencies to consider the potential environmental impacts of proposed

major federal actions in Agency planning and decision-making processes.

For the Agencies to comply, it is necessary that they have information

on the types of environmental resources on site or in the vicinity that

might be impacted by the proposed action, as well as information on the

nature of the project selected by the applicant (the activities to be

carried out at the site; any air, liquid and solid wastes produced by

these activities, etc.). The applicant is the only logical source for

providing this information. In fact, the vast majority of Federal

Agencies that assist non-Federal applicants in sponsoring projects

require these applicants to submit such environmental data.

The Agencies provide forms and/or other guidance to assist in the

collection and submission of information. The information is usually

submitted via hand delivery or U.S. Postal Service to the appropriate

Agency office.

The information is used by the Agency officer who is processing the

application for financial assistance or request for approval. Having

environmental information on the proposed project site and the

activities to be conducted there enables the Agency official to

determine the magnitude of the potential environmental impacts and to

take such impacts into consideration in Agency planning and decision-

making as required by NEPA. The analysis of the potential environmental

impacts of a proposed action is considered to be a full disclosure

process, and therefore, can involve public information meetings and

public notification.

Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of

information is estimated to average 2.94 hours per response.

Respondents: Individuals or households, local governments, farms,

business or other for-profit, non-profit institutions, and small

businesses and organizations.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 3,050.

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.71.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 15,320 hours.

Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Renita

Bolden, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, at (202) 692-0035.

Comments

Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of

information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of

the Agencies, including whether the information will have practical

utility; (b) the accuracy of Agencies 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, (b) the accuracy of Agencies 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 Renita Bolden, Regulations and Paperwork

Management Branch, Support Services Division, U.S. Department of

Agriculture, Rural Development, STOP 0742, 1400 Independence Ave. SW.,

Washington, DC 20250-0742. 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: November 19, 1999.

Eileen M. Fitzgerald,

Acting Administrator, Rural Housing Service.

Dated: November 16, 1999.

William F. Hagy, III,

Acting Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.

Dated: November 22, 1999.

Christopher A. McLean,

Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.

Dated: November 24, 1999.

Keith Kelly,

Administrator, Farm Service Agency.

[FR Doc. 99-32288 Filed 12-13-99; 8:45 am]

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