[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 249 (Friday, December 28, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76454-76455]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-31319]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration


Opportunity for Designation in Muncie, IN; Fremont, NE; 
Annapolis, MD; and Lafayette, IN 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, 2013. 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: East Indiana Grain 
Inspection, Inc. (East Indiana); Fremont Grain Inspection Department, 
Inc. (Fremont); Maryland Department of Agriculture (Maryland); and 
Titus Grain Inspection, Inc. (Titus).

DATES: Applications and comments must be received by January 28, 2013.

ADDRESSES: Submit applications and comments concerning this notice 
using any of the following methods:
     Applying 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 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, 816-872-1257
     Email: [email protected]

[[Page 76455]]

    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

East Indiana

    Pursuant to Section 79(f)(2) of the United States Grain Standards 
Act, the following geographic areas in the States of Indiana and Ohio 
are assigned to this official agency:

In Indiana

    Blackford, Delaware, Fayette, Grant (east of State Route 5 and 
north of State Route 18), Henry, Jay, Madison (north of State Route 132 
and east of State Route 13), Randolph, Rush, Union, and Wayne Counties.

In Ohio

    Darke County.

Fremont

    Pursuant to Section 79(f)(2) of the United States Grain Standards 
Act, the following geographic areas in the States of Iowa and Nebraska 
are assigned to this official agency:

In Iowa

    Carroll (west of U.S. Route 71), Clay (west of U.S. Route 71), 
Crawford, Dickinson (west of U. S. Route 71), Harrison (east of State 
Route 183), O'Brien (north of County Road B24 and east of U.S. Route 
59), Osceola (east of U.S. Route 59), and Shelby Counties.

In Nebraska

    Burt, Butler, Colfax, Cuming, Dodge, Madison (east of U.S. Route 
81), Pierce (east of U.S. Route 81 and South of U.S. Route 20), Platte, 
Polk, Saunders (west of U.S. Route 77), Stanton, Washington (north of 
State Route 91), and Wayne Counties.

Maryland

    Pursuant to Section 79(f)(2) of the United States Grain Standards 
Act, the entire State of Maryland, except those export port locations 
within the State, is assigned to this official agency.

Titus

    Pursuant to Section 79(f)(2) of the United States Grain Standards 
Act, the following geographic area within the State of Indiana is 
assigned to this official agency:
    Benton, Carroll (north of State Route 25), Fountain (east of U.S. 
Route 41), Jasper (south of U.S. Route 24), Newton (east of State Route 
55 and south of U.S. Route 24), Pulaski, Tippecanoe, Warren (east of 
U.S. Route 41), and White Counties.

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 Sec.  800.196. Designation in the specified geographic areas is 
for the period beginning July 1, 2013 and ending June 30, 2016. 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 East 
Indiana, Fremont, Maryland, and Titus 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.

Larry Mitchell,
Administrator, Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration.
[FR Doc. 2012-31319 Filed 12-27-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-KD-P