[Federal Register: August 3, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 149)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 43199]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr03au07-18]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
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This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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[[Page 43199]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service
7 CFR Part 1739
RIN 0572-AC09
Community Connect Broadband Grant Program
AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
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SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service, an agency delivering the United
States Department of Agriculture's Rural Development Utilities Program,
hereinafter referred to as Rural Development and/or the Agency, is
issuing proposed regulations to amend its Community-Oriented
Connectivity Broadband Grant Program (Community Connect Broadband Grant
Program). The Agency has determined that expanding the resource
materials used to determine community eligibility for the program will
result in a larger number of eligible communities. In addition, Rural
Development has changed the test for economic hardship, allowing the
applicant community's median household income to be compared to that of
its state, which is also expected to increase the number of eligible
applicants. Lastly, the Agency is proposing to amend its regulations to
specify operating expenses which are approved for grant funding. This
proposed rule is not applicable to Community Connect grant applications
filed for funding during fiscal year 2007.
In the Rules and Regulations section of this Federal Register, the
Agency is publishing this action as a direct final rule without prior
proposal because the Agency 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 the Agency receives
adverse comments, a timely document will be published in the Federal
Register and all public comments received will be addressed in a
subsequent final rule on this action.
DATES: Comments on this proposed rule must be received by the Agency or
carry a postmark or equivalent no later than September 4, 2007.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments by either of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov
and, in the lower ``Search Regulations and Federal
Actions'' box, select ``Rural Utilities Service'' from the agency drop-
down menu, then click on ``Submit.'' In the Docket ID column, select
RUS-07-Telecom-0008 to submit or view public comments and to view
supporting and related materials available electronically. Information
on using Regulations.gov, including instructions for accessing
documents, submitting comments, and viewing the docket after the close
of the comment period, is available through the site's ``User Tips''
link.
Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send your comment
addressed to Michele Brooks, Acting Deputy Director, Program
Development and Regulatory Analysis, USDA Rural Development, STOP 1522,
Room 5159, 1400 Independence Avenue, Washington, DC 20250-1522. Please
state that your comment refers to Docket No. RUS-07-Telecom-0008.
Other Information: Additional information about Rural Development
and its programs is available at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/index.html.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenneth Kuchno, Director, Broadband
Division, USDA Rural Development Utilities Program, STOP 1599, 1400
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-1599, Telephone (202)
690-4673, Facsimile (202) 690-4389. E-mail address:
kenneth.kuchno@usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: For applicable supplementary information on
this action, see the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION provided in the direct
final rule located in the Rules and Regulations section of this Federal
Register.
Dated: July 19, 2007.
James M. Andrew,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. E7-15108 Filed 8-2-07; 8:45 am]
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