[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 27 (Thursday, February 9, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6781-6782]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-2995]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration


Opportunity for Designation in the Topeka, KS; Cedar Rapids, IA; 
Minot, ND; and Cincinnati, OH Areas; Request for Comments on the 
Official Agencies Servicing These Areas

AGENCY: Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The designations of the official agencies listed below will 
end on June 30, 2012. We are asking persons or governmental agencies 
interested in providing official services in the areas presently served 
by these agencies to submit an application for designation. In 
addition, we are asking for comments on the quality of services 
provided by the following designated agencies: Kansas Grain Inspection 
Service, Inc. (Kansas); Mid-Iowa Grain Inspection, Inc. (Mid-Iowa); 
Minot Grain Inspection, Inc. (Minot); and Tri-State Grain Inspection 
Service, Inc. (Tri-State).

DATES: Applications and comments must be received by March 12, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Submit applications and comments concerning this notice 
using any of the following methods:
     Apply for Designation on the Internet: Use FGISOnline 
(https://fgis.gipsa.usda.gov/default_home_FGIS.aspx) and then click 
on the Delegations/Designations and Export Registrations (DDR) link. 
You will need to obtain an FGISOnline customer number and a USDA 
eAuthentication username and password prior to applying.
     Submit Comments Using the Internet: Go to Regulations.gov 
(http://www.regulations.gov). Instructions for submitting and reading 
comments are detailed on the site.
     Mail, Courier or Hand Delivery: Eric J. Jabs, Chief, USDA, 
GIPSA, FGIS, QACD, QADB, 10383 North Ambassador Drive, Kansas City, MO 
64153.
     Fax: Eric J. Jabs, 816-872-1258.
     Email: [email protected].
    Read Applications and Comments: All applications and comments will 
be available for public inspection at the office above during regular 
business hours (7 CFR 1.27(c)).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric J. Jabs, 816-659-8408 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 79(f) of the United States Grain 
Standards Act (USGSA) authorizes the Secretary to designate a qualified 
applicant to provide official services in a specified area after 
determining that the applicant is better able than any other applicant 
to provide such official services (7 U.S.C. 79(f)). Under section 79(g) 
of the USGSA, designations of official agencies are effective for three 
years unless terminated by the Secretary, but may be renewed according 
to the criteria and procedures prescribed in section 79(f) of the 
USGSA.

Areas Open for Designation

Kansas

    Pursuant to section 79(f)(2) of the USGSA, the following geographic 
area, in the States of Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, and Wyoming, is 
assigned to this official agency:
    1. The entire State of Colorado.
    2. The entire State of Kansas.
    3. In Nebraska and Wyoming: Bounded on the North by the northern 
Scotts Bluff County line; the northern Morrill County line east to 
Highway 385; Bounded on the East by Highway 385 south to the northern 
Cheyenne County line; the northern and eastern Cheyenne County lines; 
the northern and eastern Deuel County lines; Bounded on the South by 
the southern Deuel, Cheyenne, and Kimball County lines; and Bounded on 
the West by the western Kimball, Banner, and Scotts Bluff County lines. 
Goshen, Laramie, and Platt Counties, Wyoming.

Mid-Iowa

    Pursuant to section 79(f)(2) of the USGSA, the following geographic 
area, in the States of Minnesota and Iowa, is assigned to this official 
agency:
    1. In Minnesota: Wabasha, Olmstead, Winona, Houston, and Fillmore 
Counties.
    2. In Iowa: Bounded on the North by the northern Winneshiek and 
Allamakee County lines; Bounded on the East by the eastern Allamakee 
County line; the eastern and southern Clayton County lines; the eastern 
Buchanan County line; the northern and eastern Jones County lines; the 
eastern Cedar County line south to State Route 130; Bounded on the 
South by State Route 130 west to State Route 38; State Route 38 south 
to Interstate 80; Interstate 80 west to U.S. Route 63; and Bounded on 
the West by U.S. Route 63 north to State Route 8; State Route 8 east to 
State Route 21; State Route 21 north to D38; D38 east to State Route 
297; State Route 297 north to V49; V49 north to Bremer County; the 
southern Bremer County line; the western Fayette and Winneshiek County 
lines.

Minot

    Pursuant to section 79(f)(2) of the USGSA, the following geographic 
area, in the State of North Dakota, is assigned to this official 
agency: Bounded on the North by the North Dakota State line east to the 
eastern Bottineau County line; Bounded on the East by the eastern 
Bottineau County line south to the northern Pierce County line; the 
northern Pierce County line east to State Route 3; State Route 3 south 
to State Route 200; Bounded on the South by State Route 200 west to 
State Route 41; State Route 41 south to U.S. Route 83; U.S. Route 83 
northwest to State Route 200; State Route 200 west to U.S. Route 85; 
U.S. Route 85 south to Interstate 94; Interstate 94 west to the North 
Dakota State line; and Bounded on the West by the North Dakota State 
line.

Tri-State

    Pursuant to section 79(f)(2) of the USGSA, the following geographic 
area,

[[Page 6782]]

in the States of Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio, is assigned to this 
official agency:
    1. In Indiana: Dearborn, Decatur, Franklin, Ohio, Ripley, Rush 
(south of State Route 244), and Switzerland Counties.
    2. In Kentucky: Bath, Boone, Bourbon, Bracken, Campbell, Clark, 
Fleming, Gallatin, Grant, Harrison, Kenton, Lewis (west of State Route 
59), Mason, Montgomery, Nicholas, Owen, Pendleton, and Robertson 
Counties.
    3. In Ohio: Bounded on the North by the northern Preble County line 
east; the western and northern Miami County lines east to State Route 
296; State Route 296 east to State Route 560; State Route 560 south to 
the Clark County line; the northern Clark County line east to U.S. 
Route 68; Bounded on the East by U.S. Route 68 south to U.S. Route 22; 
U.S. Route 22 east to State Route 73; State Route 73 southeast to the 
Adams County line; the eastern Adams County line; Bounded on the South 
by the southern Adams, Brown, Clermont, and Hamilton County lines; and 
Bounded on the West by the western Hamilton, Butler, and Preble County 
lines.

Opportunity for Designation

    Interested persons or governmental agencies may apply for 
designation to provide official services in the geographic areas 
specified above under the provisions of section 79(f) of the USGSA and 
7 CFR 800.196(d). Designation in the specified geographic areas is for 
the period beginning July 1, 2012 and ending June 30, 2015. To apply 
for designation or for more information, contact Eric J. Jabs at the 
address listed above or visit GIPSA's Web site at http://www.gipsa.usda.gov.

Request for Comments

    We are publishing this notice to provide interested persons the 
opportunity to comment on the quality of services provided by the 
Kansas, Mid-Iowa, Minot, and Tri-State official agencies. In the 
designation process, we are particularly interested in receiving 
comments citing reasons and pertinent data supporting or objecting to 
the designation of the applicants. Submit all comments to Eric J. Jabs 
at the above address or at http://www.regulations.gov.
    We consider applications, comments, and other available information 
when determining which applicants will be designated.

    Authority:  7 U.S.C. 71-87k.

Alan R. Christian,
Acting Administrator, Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards 
Administration.
[FR Doc. 2012-2995 Filed 2-8-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-KD-P