In accordance
with 5 CFR 1320, the emergency information collection is approved
for 6 months. For collection beyond 6 months, the Agency is
reminded to submit a regular information collection request that
addresses any public comments received in response to the 60-day
Federal Register notice.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
11/30/2015
6 Months From Approved
692
0
0
3,348
0
0
0
0
0
This interim rule implements Section
6025, Strategic Economic and Community Development, under the
Agricultural Act of 2014 (2014 Farm Bill). Unless the Agency
provides otherwise, the Agency will reserve up to 10 percent of the
funds appropriated to certain Rural Development (RD) programs each
fiscal year to fund projects that support the implementation of
strategic economic and community development plans across
multi-jurisdictional areas. The programs from which funds will be
reserved are community facility programs, water and waste disposal
programs, and rural business and cooperative development programs.
To be eligible for the reserved funds, projects must be first
eligible for funding under the programs from which the funds are
reserved. In addition, projects must be carried out solely in rural
areas. Any reserved funding that is not obligated by June 30 of the
fiscal year in which the funds were reserved will be returned to
the programs' regular funding accounts.
The emergency approval
will allow USDA to begin accepting and processing applications
before the deadline for applicants to receive priority points in FY
2015. The Strategic Economic and Community Development Rule,
implements section 6025 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (2014 Farm
Bill). This initiative enables the Secretary to give priority to
projects that support the implementation of multi-jurisdictional
strategic economic development plans. Therefore, it is a major
contributor to the Department of Agriculture’s efforts to improve
quality of life in rural areas and supports the overall Federal
place-based focus, as such, is a top priority of the Secretary and
demonstrates a strong support for the President’s “ladders
initiative” aimed at reducing poverty and improving outcomes for
all Americans.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.