[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 72 (Monday, April 17, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Page 18101]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-07702]



[[Page 18101]]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA)


Notice of Intent To Certify Alabama Department of Agriculture and 
Industries (Alabama); Request for Comments

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: We are asking for comments on the quality of services provided 
by this Delegated State: Alabama Department of Agriculture and 
Industries (Alabama).

DATES: Comments must be received by May 17, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments concerning this notice using any of the 
following methods:
     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: Jacob Thein, Compliance 
Officer, USDA, GIPSA, FGIS, QACD, 10383 North Ambassador Drive, Kansas 
City, MO 64153.
     Fax: Jacob Thein, 816-872-1257.
     Email: [email protected] or [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jacob Thein, 816-866-2223, 
[email protected] or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 79(e)(2)(A) of the United States 
Grain Standards Act (USGSA) designates that if the Secretary 
determines, pursuant to paragraph (3) of Section 79(e), that a State 
agency is qualified to perform official inspection, meets the criteria 
in subsection (f)(1)(A) of Section 79, and (i) was performing official 
inspection at an export port location under this chapter on July 1, 
1976, or (ii)(I) performed official inspection at an export port 
location at any time prior to July 1, 1976, (II) was designated under 
subsection (f) of Section 79 on December 22, 1982, to perform official 
inspections at locations other than export port locations, and (III) 
operates in a State from which total annual exports do not exceed, as 
determined by the Secretary, five per centum of the total amount of 
grain exported from the United States annually, the Secretary may 
delegate authority to the State agency to perform all or specified 
functions involving official inspection (other than appeal inspection) 
at export port locations within the State, including export port 
locations which may in the future be established, subject to such 
rules, regulations, instructions, and oversight as the Secretary may 
prescribe, and any such official inspection shall continue to be the 
direct responsibility of the Secretary. Any such delegation may be 
revoked by the Secretary, at the discretion of the Secretary, at any 
time upon notice to the State agency without opportunity for a hearing. 
Under Section 79(e) of the USGSA, every five years, the Secretary shall 
certify that each State agency with a delegation of authority is 
meeting the criteria described in subsection (f)(1)(A). Delegations 
shall be renewed according to the criteria and procedures set forth in 
Section 79 (e)(2)(B) of the USGSA.

Area of Delegation

Alabama

    Pursuant to Section 79(e)(2) of the USGSA, the following export 
port locations in the State of Alabama are assigned to this State 
agency.
    In Alabama
    All export port locations in the State of Alabama, except those 
export port locations within the State, which are serviced by GIPSA.

Request for Comments

    We are publishing this notice to provide interested persons the 
opportunity to comment on the quality of services provided by the State 
of Alabama. We are particularly interested in receiving comments citing 
reasons and pertinent data supporting or objecting to the delegation of 
the applicant. Submit all comments to Jacob Thein at the above address 
or at http://www.regulations.gov.
    All comments are available for public inspection at the office 
above during regular business hours (7 CFR 1.27(c)). We consider 
comments and other available information when determining 
certification.

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

Randall D. Jones,
Acting Administrator, Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards 
Administration.
[FR Doc. 2017-07702 Filed 4-14-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-KD-P