Notice2022-15587
60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Broadband Grant Program; OMB Control No.: 0572-0127
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
July 21, 2022
Issuing agencies
Agriculture DepartmentRural Utilities Service
Abstract
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) invites comments on this information collection for which approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) will be requested.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 139 (Thursday, July 21, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 139 (Thursday, July 21, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43497-43498]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-15587]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service
[Docket No. RUS-22-TELECOM-0046]
60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Broadband Grant
Program; OMB Control No.: 0572-0127
AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 the
Rural Utilities Service (RUS) 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 September 19, 2022
to be assured of consideration.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted electronically by the Federal
eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a> and, in the
``Search Field'' box, labeled ``Search for Rules, Proposed Rules,
Notices or Supporting Documents,'' enter the following docket number:
(RUS-22-TELECOM-0046). To submit or view public comments, click the
``Search'' button, select the ``Documents'' tab, then select the
following document title: (60-Day Notice of Proposed Information
Collection: Broadband Grant Program; OMB Control No.: 0572-0127) from
the ``Search Results'' and select the ``Comment'' button. Before
inputting your comments, you may also review the ``Commenter's
Checklist'' (optional). Insert your comments under the ``Comment''
title, click ``Browse'' to attach files (if available). Input your
email address and select ``Submit Comment.''
Information on using <a href="http://Regulations.gov">Regulations.gov</a>, including instructions for
accessing documents, submitting comments, and viewing the docket after
the close of the comment period, is available through the site's
``FAQ'' link.
Other Information: Additional information about Rural Development
and its programs is available on the internet at <a href="https://www.rd.usda.gov">https://www.rd.usda.gov</a>.
All comments will be available for public inspection online at the
Federal eRulemaking Portal (<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kimble Brown, Rural Development
Innovation Center--Regulations Management Division, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250,
Telephone: 202-720-6780, Email: Kimble.<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f4b6869b839ab481879095da939b82"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a4e6d6cbd3cae4d1d7c0c58ac3cbd2">[email protected]</span></a>.
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 the
Agency is submitting to OMB for extension.
Title: Broadband Grant Program.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0127.
Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information
collection.
Abstract: The provision of broadband transmission service is vital
to the economic development, education, health, and safety of rural
Americans.
[[Page 43498]]
To further this objective, RUS provides financial assistance in the
form of grants to eligible entities that propose, on a ``community-
oriented connectivity'' basis, to provide broadband transmission
service that fosters economic growth and delivers enhanced educational,
health care, and public safety services to extremely rural, lower
income communities. The Agency gives priority to rural areas that it
believes have the greatest need for broadband transmission services.
Grant authority is utilized to deploy broadband infrastructure to
extremely rural, lower income communities on a ``community-oriented
connectivity'' basis. The ``community-oriented connectivity'' concept
integrates the deployment of broadband infrastructure with the
practical, everyday uses and applications of the facilities. This
broadband access is intended to promote economic development and
provide enhanced educational and health care opportunities. The Agency
provides financial assistance to eligible entities that are proposing
to deploy broadband transmission service in rural communities where
such service does not currently exist and who will connect the critical
community facilities including the local schools, libraries, hospitals,
police, fire and rescue services and who will operate a community
center that provides free and open access to residents. The reporting
burden covered by this collection of information consists of forms,
documents and written burden to support an application request for
grant funding.
Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of
information is estimated to average 126.5 hours per response.
Respondents: Public bodies, commercial companies, cooperatives,
nonprofits, Indian tribes, and limited dividend or mutual associations
and must be incorporated or a limited liability company.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 73.
Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 12,286.
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.
Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Kimble
Brown, Rural Development Innovation Center--Regulations Management
Division, at (202) 720-6780. Email: Kimble <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#581a2a372f36182d2b3c39763f372e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2260504d554c62575146430c454d54">[email protected]</span></a>.
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.
Christopher A. McLean,
Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-15587 Filed 7-20-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P
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