[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 49 (Monday, March 14, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-5805]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: March 14, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Federal Grain Inspection Service
Pilot Programs Allowing More Than One Official Agency To Provide
Official Services Within A Single Geographic Area
AGENCY: Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS).
ACTION: Notice With Comment Period.
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SUMMARY: Amendments in 1993 changed the United States Grain Standards
Act, as amended (Act). One of these changes provides that the Federal
Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) may conduct pilot programs allowing
more than one official agency to provide official services within a
single geographic area. FGIS is announcing its intent to conduct one or
more such pilot programs. FGIS is requesting comments on the specific
pilot programs described below, and FGIS also is requesting suggestions
for other possible pilot programs in lieu of or in addition to those
listed below.
DATES: Comments and suggestions must be postmarked, or sent by
telecopier (FAX) or electronic mail by April 22, 1994.
ADDRESSES: Comments and suggestions must be submitted in writing to
Neil E. Porter, Director, Compliance Division, FGIS, USDA, Room 1647
South Building, P.O. Box 96454, Washington, DC 20090-6454. SprintMail
users may respond to [A:ATTMAIL,O:USDA,ID:A36CPDIR]. ATTMAIL and
FTS2000MAIL users may respond to !A36CPDIR. Telecopier (FAX) users may
send comments and suggestions to the automatic telecopier machine at
202-720-1015, attention: Neil E. Porter. All comments and suggestions
received will be made available for public inspection during regular
business hours at the above address located at 1400 Independence
Avenue, S.W.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Neil E. Porter, telephone 202-720-
8262.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Sections 7(f) and 7A of the Act were amended by the U.S. Grain
Standards Act Amendments of 1993 (Public Law 103-156) on November 24,
1993, to authorize FGIS' Administrator to conduct pilot programs
allowing more than one official agency to provide official services
within a single geographic area without undermining the declared policy
of the Act. The purpose of the pilot programs is to evaluate the impact
of allowing more than one official agency to provide official services
within a single geographic area. FGIS is considering several possible
pilot programs and may conduct one or more pilot programs. Official
agencies selected by FGIS to participate in a pilot program would be
allowed to provide official services in specified areas during the test
period, and these agencies would provide FGIS with information on such
official services. Following the pilot programs, FGIS would evaluate
the impact of allowing more than one official agency to provide service
within a single geographic area. FGIS is considering the following
possible pilot programs and may select one or more of these or other
suggested pilot programs for a test.
1. Barges on selected rivers or portions of rivers as defined by
FGIS. Agencies would be allowed to provide official services for barges
at these locations in addition to the agency already designated to
serve these locations.
2. Exceptions. Agencies having exceptions to their assigned
geographic areas would be allowed to provide official services at these
specified locations in addition to the official agency already
designated to serve these points.
3. Commercial inspection services. Agencies would be allowed to
provide official commercial inspection services outside their assigned
geographic areas.
4. Submitted samples. Agencies would be allowed to enter another
agency's assigned area to pick up submitted samples.
5. Timeliness of service. If an official agency can not provide the
requested services within 12 hours of the request, the applicant may
request such services from another official agency.
Commenters are encouraged to submit reasons and pertinent data for
support or objection to the pilot programs described above. FGIS is
also requesting suggestions regarding other possible pilot programs in
addition to or in lieu of those listed above. All comments and
suggestions must be submitted to the Compliance Division at the above
address.
Comments and other available information will be considered in
determining which pilot programs to conduct. FGIS will publish notice
of any pilot programs to be conducted.
Authority: Pub. L. 94-582, 90 Stat. 2867, as amended (7 U.S.C.
71 et seq.)
Dated: March 3, 1994.
Neil E. Porter,
Director, Compliance Division.
[FR Doc. 94-5805 Filed 3-11-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-EN-F