[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 47 (Monday, March 11, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10830-10831]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-5733]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service

7 CFR Part 1703

RIN 0572-AB70


Distance Learning and Telemedicine Loan and Grant Program

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of confirmation of direct final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) hereby gives notice that no 
adverse comments were received regarding the direct final rule amending 
its regulations for the Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Loan 
and Grant Program, and confirms the effective date of the direct final 
rule.

DATES: The direct final rule published in the Federal Register on 
January 23, 2002 (67 FR 3039) is effective March 11, 2002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marilyn J. Morgan, Chief DLT Branch, 
Advanced Services Division, Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., STOP 1550, Washington, DC 
20250-1550. Telephone: 202-720-0413; e-mail at [email protected]; 
or, Fax: 202-720-1051.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    RUS is amending 7 CFR part 1703, subparts D, E, F, and G of its 
regulations for the Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Loan and 
Grant Program. The current regulations implement the provisions of the 
Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 950aaa 
et seq.) to encourage and improve telemedicine services and distance 
learning services in rural areas. The direct final rule addresses the 
amendments affecting the grant program. These amendments will

[[Page 10831]]

clarify eligibility; change the grant minimum matching contribution; 
clarify that only loan funds will be used to finance transmission 
facilities; modify financial information requirements; adjust the 
leveraging of resources scoring criterion; revise financial information 
to be submitted; and make other minor changes and corrections.

Confirmation of Effective Date

    This is to confirm the effective date of March 11, 2002, for the 
direct final rule, 7 CFR part 1703, Distance Learning and Telemedicine 
Loan and Grant Program, published in the Federal Register on January 
23, 2002.

    Dated: March 4, 2002.
Hilda Gay Legg,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 02-5733 Filed 3-8-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3415-15-P