[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 79 (Thursday, April 24, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 20090-20091]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-10095]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau

27 CFR Part 9

[TTB Notice No. 6; Re: ATF Notice Nos. 960 and 966]
RIN: 1512-AC76


Red Hill (Oregon) Viticultural Area (2001R-88P)

AGENCY: Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), Treasury.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking; reopening of comment period.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: TTB reopens the comment period for Notice No. 960, a notice of 
proposed rulemaking published in the Federal Register on October 30, 
2002, and subsequently reopened for an additional 60 days on January 
16, 2003. The proposed rule would add Red Hill (Oregon) as an approved 
American viticultural area and amend 27 CFR part 9. We are acting on a 
request to extend the comment period in order to provide sufficient 
time for all interested parties to respond to the issues raised in the 
notice.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before May 27, 2003.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments to any of the following addresses:
    [sbull] Chief, Regulations and Procedures Division, Alcohol and 
Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, P.O. Box 50221, Washington, DC 20091-0221 
(Attn: Notice No. 960);
    [sbull] 202-927-8525 (Facsimile);
    [sbull] [email protected] (E-mail);
    [sbull] http://www.ttb.gov (An online comment form is posted with 
this notice on our Web site.)
    You may view copies of the notice of proposed rulemaking, the 
requests for extension of the comment period, and any comments received 
on the notice by appointment at the ATF Reference Library, Room 6480, 
650 Massachusetts Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20226, or under Notice 
No. 960 at http://www.ttb.gov/alcohol/rules/index.htm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim DeVanney, Regulations and 
Procedures Division, Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, 650 
Massachusetts Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20226; telephone 202-927-
8210; e-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On October 30, 2002, TTB (part of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco 
and Firearms (ATF) at that time) published two notices of proposed 
rulemaking (Notice No. 960, 67 FR 66079 and Notice No. 961, 67 FR 
66083) to establish Red Hill (Oregon) and Red Hills (California) as 
American viticultural areas, respectively. The comment period ended on 
December 30, 2002. Before the close of the comment period, TTB received 
a request from Mr. Sean Carlton, of Archery Summit, a winery in Dayton, 
Oregon, to extend the comment period for an additional 60 days. Mr. 
Carlton requested the extension to allow more time to study the 
petitions and research the respective areas. The new comment period 
opened on January 16, 2003, and closed on March 17, 2003.
    On March 17, 2003, TTB received a request to extend the comment 
period for an additional 60 days. Mr. Jess Lyon, of Davis Wright 
Tremaine, LLP, made this request in order to make a full assessment of 
the Red Hill petition. Mr. Lyon stated that he did not receive the 
petitioner's material in a timely manner.
    In consideration of the above, TTB reopens the comment period for 
an additional 30 days. By the time this document is published in the 
Federal Register, the new closing date will be in

[[Page 20091]]

excess of the 60 days Mr. Lyon requested.

Public Participation

    See the ``Public Participation'' section of Notice No. 960 for 
detailed instructions on submitting and reviewing comments. Comments 
received on or before the new closing date will be carefully 
considered.
    TTB will not recognize any submitted material as confidential and 
comments may be disclosed to the public. Any material that the 
commenter considers confidential or inappropriate for disclosure to the 
public should not be included in the comments. The name of the person 
submitting a comment is not exempt from disclosure.

Drafting Information

    Tim DeVanney of the Regulations and Procedures Division, Alcohol 
and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, drafted this notice.

List of Subjects in 27 CFR Part 9

    Wine.

Authority and Issuance

    Notice No. 960 was issued under the authority of 27 U.S.C. 205.

    Signed: April 18, 2003.
Arthur J. Libertucci,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 03-10095 Filed 4-23-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4810-31-P