[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 164 (Wednesday, August 24, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 57882]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-20166]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration


Opportunity for Designation in Louisiana Area; Request for 
Comments on the Official Agency Servicing This Area

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The designation of the official agency listed below will end 
on September 30, 2016. We are asking persons or governmental agencies 
interested in providing official services in the areas presently served 
by this agency to submit an application for designation. In addition, 
we are asking for comments on the quality of services provided by the 
following designated agency: Louisiana Department of Agriculture and 
Forestry (Louisiana).

DATES: Applications and comments must be received by September 23, 
2016.

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: Jorge Vazquez, Compliance 
Officer, USDA, GIPSA, FGIS, QACD, 10383 North Ambassador Drive, Kansas 
City, MO 64153.
     Fax: Mark Wooden, 816-872-1257.
     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: Jorge Vazquez, 816-866-2224 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 no 
longer than five years, unless terminated by the Secretary, and may be 
renewed according to the criteria and procedures prescribed in section 
79(f) of the USGSA.

Areas Open for Designation

Louisiana

    Pursuant to Section 79(f)(2) of the United States Grain Standards 
Act, the following geographic area in the State of Louisiana is 
assigned to this official agency.
In Louisiana
    The entire State, except those export port locations within the 
State, which are serviced by GIPSA.

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 in 
Louisiana is for the period beginning October 1, 2016, to September 30, 
2021. To apply for designation or to request more information, contact 
Jorge Vazquez at the address listed above.

Request for Comments

    We are publishing this Notice to provide interested persons the 
opportunity to comment on the quality of services provided by the 
Louisiana official agency. In the designation process, we are 
particularly interested in receiving comments citing reasons and 
pertinent data supporting or objecting to the designation of the 
applicant. Submit all comments to Jorge Vazquez 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. 2016-20166 Filed 8-23-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-KD-P