[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 1 (Monday, January 4, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 75]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-33929]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration


Designation for the Alton (IL), Columbus (OH), and Farwell (TX) 
Areas

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: GIPSA announces designation of the following organizations to 
provide official services under the United States Grain Standards Act, 
as amended (Act):

Alton Grain Inspection Department, Inc. (Alton);
Columbus Grain Inspection, Inc. (Columbus) and;
Farwell Grain Inspection, Inc. (Farwell).

EFFECTIVE DATE: February 1, 1999.

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 August 3, 1998, Federal Register (63 FR 41224), GIPSA asked 
persons interested in providing official services in the geographic 
areas assigned to Alton Grain Inspection Department, Columbus, and 
Farwell to submit an application for designation. Applications were due 
by September 1, 1998. There were four applicants: Alton (a new 
corporation set up by Alton Grain Inspection Department), Missouri 
Department of Agriculture, Columbus, and Farwell. Columbus and Farwell, 
each applied for designation to provide official services in the entire 
area currently assigned to them. Alton and the Missouri Department of 
Agriculture applied for designation to provide official services in the 
Alton area.
    Since Columbus and Farwell were the only applicants, GIPSA did not 
ask for comments on them.
    In the August 3, 1998, Federal Register, GIPSA asked for comments 
on Alton Grain Inspection Department. In the October 1, 1998, Federal 
Register (63 FR 52678), GIPSA asked for comments on the applicants for 
the Alton area. There were six comments to the August 3, 1998, Federal 
Register: five from customers of Alton Grain Inspection Department and 
one from a tow boat operator, all supporting designation of Alton Grain 
Inspection Department, Inc. There were no comments to the October 1, 
1998, Federal Register.
    GIPSA evaluated all available information regarding the designation 
criteria in Section 7(f)(1)(A) of the Act and, according to Section 
7(f)(1)(B), determined that Columbus and Farwell are able to provide 
official services in the geographic areas for which they applied and 
that Alton is better able to provide official services in the Alton 
area.
    Effective February 1, 1999, and ending January 31, 2000, Alton is 
designated to provide official services in the Alton geographic area 
specified in the August 3, 1998, Federal Register. Effective February 
1, 1999, and ending January 31, 2002, Columbus and Farwell are 
designated to provide official services in the geographic areas 
specified in the August 3, 1998, Federal Register.
    Interested persons may obtain official services by contacting Alton 
at 314-978-1961, Columbus at 740-474-3519, and Farwell at 806-481-9052.

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

    Dated: December 10, 1998.
Neil E. Porter,
Director, Compliance Division.
[FR Doc. 98-33929 Filed 12-31-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-EN-P