Notice2023-18095
60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: RUS Specification for Quality Control and Inspection of Timber Products; OMB Control No.: 0572-0076
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
August 23, 2023
Issuing agencies
Agriculture DepartmentRural Utilities Service
Abstract
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Utilities Service (RUS or Agency) announces its' intention to request an extension of a currently approved information collection and invites comments on this information collection.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 162 (Wednesday, August 23, 2023)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 162 (Wednesday, August 23, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57410-57411]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-18095]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service
[Docket No. RUS-23-ELECTRIC-0011]
60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: RUS
Specification for Quality Control and Inspection of Timber Products;
OMB Control No.: 0572-0076
AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Utilities Service
(RUS or Agency) announces its' intention to request an extension of a
currently approved information collection and invites comments on this
information collection.
DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by October 23, 2023 to
be assured of consideration.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted 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 dockets and documents on agency actions,'' enter
the following docket number: (RUS-23-ELECTRIC-0011). To submit or view
public comments, click the ``Search'' button, select the ``Documents''
tab, then select the following document title: ``RUS Specification for
Quality Control and Inspection of Timber Products'' 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kimble Brown, Rural Development
Innovation Center--Regulations Management Division, USDA, 1400
Independence Avenue SW, Room 4227, South Building, Washington, DC
20250-1522. Telephone: (202) 720-6780. Email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#aec5c7c3ccc2cb80ccdcc1d9c0eedbddcacf80c9c1d8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="9bf0f2f6f9f7feb5f9e9f4ecf5dbeee8fffab5fcf4ed">[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 the following information collection
that RHS is submitting to OMB as an extension to an existing collection
with Agency adjustment.
Title: RUS Specification for Quality Control and Inspection of
Timber Products.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0076.
Expiration Date of Approval: February 29, 2024.
Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
Estimate of Burden: This collection of information is estimated to
average 1.01 hour per response.
Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; Business or other for
profit.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 25.
Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 800.
Estimated Total Number of Responses: 20,000.
Estimated Annual Reporting Burden on Respondents: 20,000 hours.
Estimated Annual Recordkeeping Burden on Respondents: 333.25 hours.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 20,333.25 hours.
Abstract: RUS Bulletin 1728H-702 and 7 CFR 1728.202 describe the
responsibilities and procedures pertaining to the quality control by
producers and pertaining to inspection of timber products produced in
accordance with RUS specifications. To ensure the security of loan
funds, adequate quality control of timber products is vital to loan
security on electric power systems where hundreds of thousands of wood
poles and cross-arms are used. Since RUS and its borrowers do not have
the expertise or manpower to quickly determine imperfections in the
wood products or their preservatives treatments, they must obtain
service of an inspection agency to ensure that the specifications for
wood poles and cross-arms are being met. Copies of test reports on
various preservatives must accompany each load of poles treated at the
same time in a pressure cylinder (charge) as required by 7 CFR
1728.202(i). RUS feels the importance of safety concerns are
[[Page 57411]]
enough to justify requiring test reports so that the purchaser,
inspectors, and RUS will be able to spot check the general accuracy and
reliability of the tests.
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
respondents, including through the use of appropriate automated,
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or
other forms of information technology. All responses to this notice
will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All
comments will become a matter of public record.
Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Kimble
Brown, Innovation Center--Regulations Management Division, at (202)
720-2825. Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#93f8fafef1fff6bdf1e1fce4fdd3e6e0f7f2bdf4fce5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4d2624202f2128632f3f223a230d383e292c632a223b">[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.
Andrew Berke,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-18095 Filed 8-22-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XV-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on August 23, 2023.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.