[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 109 (Thursday, June 6, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 38915-38917]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-14132]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms

27 CFR Part 4

[Notice No. 945; Re: Notice No. 941]
RIN 1512-AC65


Proposal to Recognize Synonyms for Petite Sirah and Zinfandel 
Grape Varieties (2001R-251P)

AGENCY: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Department of the 
Treasury.

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: This notice extends the comment period for Notice No. 941, a 
notice of proposed rulemaking published in the Federal Register on 
April 10, 2002. The proposed rule would amend the list of prime grape 
names to recognize ``Durif'' as a synonym for the Petite Sirah grape 
and ``Primitivo'' as a synonym for the Zinfandel grape. ATF has 
received a request to extend the comment period so that all interested 
parties will have sufficient time to evaluate the proposed rule.

DATES: Written comments must be received by October 8, 2002.

[[Page 38916]]


ADDRESSES: Send written comments regarding the proposed rule to: Chief, 
Regulations Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, P.O. Box 
50221, Washington, DC 20091-0221 (Attn: Notice No. 941). See the 
``Public Participation'' section of this notice for alternative means 
of commenting.
    Copies of the proposed regulation, background materials, and any 
written comments received will be available for public inspection 
during normal business hours at the ATF Reading Room, Office of Public 
Affairs and Disclosure, Room 6480, 650 Massachusetts Avenue, NW., 
Washington, DC 20226.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Berry, Bureau of Alcohol, 
Tobacco and Firearms, Regulations Division, 111 W. Huron Street, Room 
219, Buffalo, NY 14202-2301; telephone (716) 434-8039.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On April 10, 2002, ATF published a notice of proposed rulemaking 
(Notice No. 941) in the Federal Register proposing two amendments to 
its list of prime grape variety names used to designate American wines. 
This list is contained in title 27 of the Code of Federal Regulations, 
section 4.91. The first amendment would recognize the name ``Durif'' as 
a synonym for the Petite Sirah grape, while the second would recognize 
the name ``Primitivo'' as a synonym for the Zinfandel grape. This 
proposal is based on DNA research conducted into the identity of these 
grapes. The comment period for Notice No. 941 currently closes on June 
10, 2002.
    However, ATF has received a request from the Wine Institute to 
extend the comment period for an additional 120 days. The Wine 
Institute, which represents 605 California wineries, states that the 
proposal regarding the Zinfandel grape could have significant impact on 
the California wine industry. For this reason, it requested additional 
time to adequately evaluate the scientific evidence and the various 
issues raised by the proposed rule.
    After considering this request, ATF finds that an extension of the 
comment period is warranted. We are therefore extending the comment 
period for an additional 120 days as requested. The comment period for 
Notice No. 941 will now close October 8, 2002.

Public Participation

    ATF requests comments from all interested parties on the proposals 
contained in Notice No. 941. We specifically request comments on the 
clarity of the proposed rule and how it may be made easier to 
understand.

What Is a Comment?

    In order for a submission to be considered a ``comment,'' it must 
clearly indicate a position for or against the proposed rule or some 
part of it, or express neutrality about the proposed rule. Comments 
that use reasoning, logic, and, if applicable, good science to explain 
the commenter's position are most persuasive in the formation of a 
final rule.
    To be eligible for consideration, comments must:
     Contain your name and mailing address;
     Reference Notice No. 941;
     Be legible and written in language generally acceptable 
for public disclosure;
     Contain a legible, written signature if submitted by mail 
or fax; and
     Contain your e-mail address if submitted by e-mail.
    To assure public access to our office equipment, comments submitted 
by fax must be no more than three pages in length when printed on 8\1/
2\'' by 11'' paper. Comments submitted by mail or e-mail may be any 
length.

How May I Submit Comments?

    By Mail: You may send written comments by mail to the address shown 
above in the ADDRESSES section of this notice.
    By Fax: You may submit comments by facsimile transmission to (716) 
434-8041. We will treat faxed transmissions as originals.
    By E-Mail: You may submit comments by e-mail by sending the 
comments to [email protected]. We will treat e-mailed 
transmissions as originals.
    By On-line Form: You may also submit comments using the comment 
form provided with the online copy of the proposed rule on the ATF 
Internet web site at http://www.atf.treas.gov/alcohol/rules/index.htm. 
We will treat comments submitted via the web site as originals.

How Does ATF Use the Comments?

    We will carefully consider all comments we receive on or before the 
closing date. We will also carefully consider comments we receive after 
that date if it is practical to do so, but we cannot assure 
consideration of late comments. We will not acknowledge receipt of 
comments or reply to individual comments. We will summarize and discuss 
pertinent comments in the preamble to any subsequent notices or the 
final rule published as a result of the comments.

Can I Review Comments Received?

    You may view copies of the comments on Notice No. 941 by 
appointment at the ATF Reference Library, Room 6480, 650 Massachusetts 
Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20226, telephone (202) 927-7890. You may 
request copies of the comments by writing to the ATF Reference 
Librarian at the address shown above.
    For the convenience of the public, ATF will post comments received 
in response to Notice 941 on the ATF web site. All comments posted on 
our web site will show the name of the commenter, but will not show 
street addresses, telephone numbers, or e-mail addresses. We may also 
omit voluminous attachments or material that we do not consider 
suitable for posting. In all cases, the full comment will be available 
in the library or through FOIA requests, as noted above. To access 
online copies of the comments on this rulemaking, visit http://www.atf.treas.gov/, and select ``Regulations,'' then ``Notices of 
proposed rulemaking (Alcohol)'' and Notice No. 941. Click on the ``View 
Comments'' button.

Will ATF Keep My Comments Confidential?

    ATF cannot recognize any material in comments as confidential. All 
comments and materials may be disclosed to the public in the ATF 
Reading Room or in response to a FOIA request. We may also post the 
comment on our web site. (See ``Can I Review Comments Received?'') 
Finally, we may disclose the name of any person who submits a comment 
and quote from the comment in the preamble to a final rule on this 
subject. If you consider your material to be confidential or 
inappropriate for disclosure to the public, you should not include it 
in the comments.

Drafting Information

    The principal author of this document is Jennifer Berry, 
Regulations Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

List of Subjects in 27 CFR Part 4

    Advertising, Customs duties and inspection, Imports, Labeling, 
Packaging and containers, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, 
Trade practices, Wine.

Authority and Issuance

    This notice is issued under the authority contained in 27 U.S.C. 
205.


[[Page 38917]]


    Signed: May 31, 2002.
David L. Benton,
Deputy Director.
[FR Doc. 02-14132 Filed 6-5-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4810-13-P