GM 11-149

Rural Utilities Service Extends Comment Period for Proposed Rule on Implementation of Farm Bill Provision on Substantially Underserved Trust Areas

The Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service has extended the date for receiving comments on the proposed rule on the implementation of the Farm Bill provision on Substantially Underserved Trust Areas from December 13, 2011, to January 17, 2012.

The proposed rule addresses the types of documentation the RUS, on behalf of the Secretary of Agriculture, would require from tribes in order to provide favorable grant and loan terms for the Rural Electrification Loans and Guaranteed Loans and High Cost Energy Grants; Water and Waste Disposal Loans, Guaranteed Loans and Grants; Telecommunications Infrastructure Loans and Guaranteed Loans; Distance Learning and Telemedicine Loans and Grants; and Broadband Loans and Guaranteed Loans. The FEDERAL REGISTER notice which announces the date extension is attached. For further information on the proposed rule on Substantially Underserved Trust Areas, see our General Memorandum 11-122 of October 25, 2011.

Please let us know if we may provide additional information or assistance in drafting comments regarding the Rural Utilities Service’s implementation of the Substantially Underserved Trust Areas initiative.