[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 53 (Wednesday, March 19, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15307-15308]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-05994]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration


Opportunity for Designation in Unassigned Areas of Southeast 
Texas

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration 
(GIPSA) is asking persons or governmental agencies interested in 
providing official services in unassigned areas of Southeast Texas to 
submit an application for designation.

DATES: Applications and comments must be received by April 18, 2014.

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: Dexter Thomas, Acting 
Chief of Staff, USDA, GIPSA, OA, Room 2055-S, 1400 Independence Avenue 
SW., Washington, DC 20250.
     Fax: Dexter Thomas, 202-205-9237.
     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: Dexter Thomas, 202-720-6529 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: GIPSA previously announced an opportunity 
for designation in unassigned areas of Southeast Texas in the Federal 
Register on September 27, 2013 (78 FR 59647). Applications were due by 
October 28, 2013. GIPSA received seven comments, representing five 
grain companies and two trade associations. All commenters supported 
Gulf Country Grain Inspection Service, Inc. (Gulf Country) designation 
for the geographical area announced in the Federal Register on 
September 27, 2013. Five commenters specifically recommended that Gulf 
Country's designation be expanded to include the Rio Grande Valley 
geographical area in South Texas. Two of those five commenters stated 
that Gulf Country could provide an equal or greater level of service at 
a better cost than GIPSA. Accordingly, GIPSA is announcing the 
opportunity for designation for unassigned areas of Southeast Texas 
including additional geographical area in South Texas.
    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

[[Page 15308]]

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

    Pursuant to Section 79(f)(2) of the United States Grain Standards 
Act, the following unassigned area is available for designation.

In Texas

    Bounded on the north by northern Lampasas, Coryell, McLennan, 
Limestone, Freestone, Anderson, Cherokee, Nacogdoches, San Augustine, 
and Sabine County Line east to the Texas State Line;
    Bounded on the east by the Eastern Texas State Line.
    Bounded on the south by the Southern Texas State Line.
    Bounded on the west by the western Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, Zapata, 
Duval, McMullen, Atascosa, Bexar, Comal, Blanco, Burnet and Lampasas 
County Lines.
    Excludes export port locations serviced by GIPSA's League City 
Field Office, Beaumont Sub-office, and Corpus Christi Duty Point.

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. Designation in the specified geographic areas is for a 
period of no more than three years and will be concurrent with any 
existing designation. To apply for designation or for more information, 
contact Dexter Thomas at the address listed above or visit GIPSA's Web 
site at http://www.gipsa.usda.gov.

Request for Comments

    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 
Dexter Thomas at the above address or at http://www.regulations.gov.
    We consider applications, comments, and other available information 
when determining which applicant will be designated.

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

Larry Mitchell,
Administrator, Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration.
[FR Doc. 2014-05994 Filed 3-18-14; 8:45 am]
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