[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 21 (Monday, February 2, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 5352]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-2121]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration


Designation for the Arkansas (AR) Area

AGENCY: Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration 
(GIPSA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: GIPSA announces the designation of Memphis Grain Inspection 
Service (Memphis) to provide official services under the United States 
Grain Standards Act, as amended (Act).

EFFECTIVE DATES: March 1, 1998.

ADDRESSES: USDA, GIPSA, Janet M. Hart, Chief, Review Branch, Compliance 
Division, STOP 3604, Room 1647-S, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., 
Washington, DC 20250-3604.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Janet M. Hart, at 202-720-8525.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    This action has been reviewed and determined not to be a rule or 
regulation as defined in Executive Order 12866 and Departmental 
Regulation 1512-1; therefore, the Executive Order and Departmental 
Regulation do not apply to this action.
    In the October 1, 1997, Federal Register (62 FR 63513), GIPSA asked 
persons interested in providing official services in the Little Rock 
area, formerly assigned to Arkansas Grain Inspection Service, to submit 
an application for designation. Applications were due by October 30, 
1997. There were two applicants: Memphis Grain Inspection Service, a 
currently designated official agency, located at Memphis, Tennessee, 
and contiguous to the Little Rock area, applied for designation to 
provide official services in the Little Rock area; and the former 
Arkansas agency reorganized and applied for designation to provide 
official services in the Little Rock area.
    GIPSA requested comments on the applicants for the Arkansas area in 
the December 1, 1997, Federal Register (62 FR 63513). Comments were due 
by December 30, 1997. GIPSA received eight written comments by the 
deadline. Two oral comments in favor of Memphis were also received, one 
of which expressed concerns about the former Arkansas Agency. Four 
grain companies had been provided official services by the former 
Arkansas agency and supported designation of Memphis discussing 
favorably the quality of service received. Memphis has been providing 
official services in the Little Rock area on an interim basis.
    Six commentors supported designation of Arkansas with one comment 
noting that their support was contingent upon the business being 
properly managed and staffed. Others indicated that having an official 
agency in Little Rock was of concern and expressed concern about 
timeliness of service. Some of the comments stated that they had 
received previously excellent services from the Arkansas agency.
    GIPSA evaluated all available information regarding the designation 
criteria in Section 7(f)(l)(A) of the Act and, according to Section 
7(f)(l)(B), determined that Memphis is better able to provide official 
services in the Arkansas geographic area. Effective March 1, 1998, and 
ending May 31, 2000, concurrent with the termination of their current 
designation Memphis is designated to provide official services in the 
geographic area specified in the October 1, 1997, Federal Register.
    Interested persons may obtain official services by contacting 
Memphis at 901-942-3216 or 501-372-5302.

    Authority: Pub. L. 94-582, 90 Stat. 2867, as amended (7 U.S.C. 
71 et seq.).

    Dated: January 23, 1998.
Neil E. Porter,
Director, Compliance Division.
[FR Doc. 98-2121 Filed 1-30-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-EN-P