[Federal Register: October 6, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 193)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 59836-59837]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr06oc04-27]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service
7 CFR Part 1783
RIN 0572-AB95
Grant Program To Establish a Fund for Financing Water and
Wastewater Projects (Revolving Fund Program (RFP))
AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
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SUMMARY: On May 13, 2002, the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of
2002 (Farm Bill) was signed into law as Public Law 107-171. Section
6002 of the Farm Bill amended the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act (CONACT), by adding a grant program to establish a
revolving loan fund. The Secretary may make grants to qualified,
private, non-profit entities. The grant recipients will use the grant
funds to establish a revolving loan fund. The loans will be made to
eligible entities to finance pre-development costs associated with
proposed water and wastewater projects or with existing water and
wastewater systems, and short-term costs incurred for replacement
equipment, small-scale extension of services, or other small capital
projects that are not part of the regular operations and maintenance
activities of existing water and wastewater systems. The Rural
Utilities Service (RUS) is proposing to publish rules and regulations
to establish the Grant Program to Establish a Fund for Financing Water
and Wastewater Projects (Revolving Fund Program (RFP)) as authorized by
the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (CONACT), as amended by
Section 6002 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002
(Farm Bill).
In the final rule section of this Federal Register, RUS is
publishing this action as a direct final rule without prior proposal
because RUS views this as a non-controversial action and anticipates no
adverse comments. If no adverse comments are received in response to
the direct final rule, no further action will be taken on this proposed
rule and the action will become effective at the time specified in the
direct final rule. If RUS receives adverse comments, a document will be
[[Page 59837]]
published withdrawing the direct final rule and all public comments
received will be addressed in a subsequent final rule. Any parties
interested in commenting on this proposed action should do so at this
time.
DATES: Comments on this proposed action must be received on or before
November 5, 2004.
ADDRESSES: Submit adverse comments or notice of intent to submit
adverse comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the online instruction for submitting
comments.
Agency Web site: http://www.usda.gov/rus/index2.Comments.htm.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments. E-mail: RUSComments@usda.gov. Include in the subject line
of the message ``7 CFR 1783.''
Mail: Addressed to Richard Annan, Acting Director, Program
Development and Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities Service, United
States Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, STOP 1522,
Washington, DC 20250-1522.
Hand Delivery/Courier: Addressed to Richard Annan, Acting
Director, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities
Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence
Avenue, SW., Room 5168-S, Washington, DC 20250-1522.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen Saulnier, Loan Specialist,
Water Programs Division, Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 2235-S, Stop 1570,
Washington, DC 20250-1570. Telephone (202) 690-2526. E-Mail:
stephen.saulnier@usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: See the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION provided
in the direct final rule located in the final rule section of this
Federal Register for the applicable supplementary information on this
action.
Dated: September 2, 2004.
Curtis M. Anderson,
Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 04-22445 Filed 10-5-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P