[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 170 (Tuesday, September 5, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41911-41912]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-18632]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration


Opportunity for Designation in the Memphis, Tennessee, Area; 
Request for Comments on the Official Agency Servicing This Area

AGENCY: Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration 
(GIPSA), USDA.

ACTION: Notice of opportunity for designation.

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SUMMARY: The designation of the official agency listed below will end 
on March 31, 2018. 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: Midsouth Grain Inspection Service 
(Midsouth).

DATES: Applications and comments must be received by October 5, 2017.

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: Mark Wooden, 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: Mark Wooden, 816-659-8413 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 7(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 7(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 
7(f) of the USGSA.

Areas Open for Designation

Midsouth

    Pursuant to Section 7(f)(2) of the United States Grain Standards 
Act, the following geographic area in the States of Arkansas, 
Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas is assigned to this official agency.
In Arkansas
    The entire State of Arkansas.
In Mississippi
    The entire State of Mississippi, except export port locations 
within the State, which are serviced by GIPSA.
In Tennessee
    Carroll, Chester, Crockett, Dyer, Fayette, Gibson, Hardeman, 
Haywood, Henderson, Lauderdale, Madison, McNairy, Shelby, and Tipton 
Counties.
In Texas
    Bowie and Cass Counties.


[[Page 41912]]


    The following grain elevator is part of this geographic area 
assignment. In Cairo Grain Inspection Agency, Inc.'s area: Cargill, 
Inc., Tiptonville, Lake County, Tennessee.

Opportunity for Designation

    Interested persons or governmental agencies may apply for 
designation to provide official services in the geographic area 
specified above under the provisions of section 7(f) of the USGSA and 7 
CFR 800.196. Designation in the specified geographic area in Arkansas, 
Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas is for the period beginning April 1, 
2018, to March 31, 2023. To apply for designation or to request more 
information, contact Mark Wooden 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 
Midsouth 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 Mark Wooden 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.

Randall D. Jones,
Acting Administrator, Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards 
Administration.
[FR Doc. 2017-18632 Filed 9-1-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-KD-P