Public Law 109-451, the Rural Water
Supply Act of 2006 (Act), was enacted December 22, 2006. Title I of
the Act authorizes the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) to
create the Rural Water Program to address rural water needs in the
17 Western United States, including the authority to: a)
investigate opportunities to ensure safe and adequate rural water
supply projects for domestic, municipal, and industrial use in
small communities and rural areas of the Reclamation States; (b)
plan the design and construction of rural water supply projects
through the conduct of appraisal investigations and feasibility
studies; and (c) oversee, as appropriate, the construction of rural
water supply projects that are recommended for construction by
Reclamation in a feasibility report developed under the Rural Water
Program and subsequently authorized by Congress. Authority and
responsibility for implementing the provisions of the Act are
delegated to Reclamation. Reclamations rulemaking will establish
comprehensive criteria and program requirements governing the
implementation of the Rural Water Program.
Title I of Public Law 109-451,
enacted December 22, 2006, gives Interior the authority to provide
financial and technical assistance with appraisal and feasibility
studies for rural water projects. Applicants for assistance will be
required to submit information to Reclamation in order to obtain
funding or technical assistance with an appraisal or feasibility
study. This will increase Reclamation's information collection
burden.
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.