[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 138 (Thursday, July 18, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58327-58328]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-15815]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 138 / Thursday, July 18, 2024 / 
Notices  

[[Page 58327]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Doc. No. AMS-FGIS-24-0029]


Opportunities for United States Grain Standards Act Designation 
in the Lower Northwest Texas Area; the Southeast Texas Area; the 
Keokuk, Iowa Area; and the Fargo, North Dakota Area

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; request for comments and applications for designation.

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SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) requests comments on 
the need for U.S. Grain Standards Act (USGSA) services in the newly 
formed Lower Northwest Texas and Southeast Texas geographic areas 
described below in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section. AMS is also 
asking persons, entities, or governmental agencies interested in 
providing official inspection and weighing services, in those areas, to 
apply for designation. The designated USGSA authority for two official 
agencies, Keokuk Grain Inspection (Keokuk) and North Dakota Grain 
Inspection, Inc. (NDGI), will end on the prescribed dates listed in the 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below. AMS is requesting designation 
applications from interested persons, entities, or governmental 
agencies that would like to provide official inspection and weighing 
services for the areas presently served by these two agencies. In 
addition to this request for applications, AMS seeks comments on the 
quality of services provided by Keokuk and NDGI.

DATES: Comments expressing the need for and applications to provide 
USGSA services for the Lower Northwest Texas and Southeast Texas 
geographic must be received by August 19, 2024.
    Applications and comments for the areas of designation terminating 
on March 31, 2025, currently serviced by Keokuk, must be received 
between November 1 and November 30, 2024.
    Applications and comments for the areas of designation terminating 
on December 31, 2025, currently serviced by NDGI, must be received 
between August 1 and August 31, 2025.

ADDRESSES: Submit applications and comments concerning this Notice 
using the following methods:
    To apply for USGSA Designation: New applicants (not currently 
designated) seeking designation or currently designated applicants 
seeking to apply for designation in a new geographic area can find 
detailed instructions at https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/FGISApplyingforDesignation_NewApplicants.pdf. Applicants will 
need to obtain a Login.gov account, a MyFGIS number, and to request 
access to FGISonline Delegations/Designations and Export Registrations 
(DDR) prior to applying. Applicants are encouraged to begin the 
application process early to allow time for system authentication.
    To submit Comments Regarding Currently Designated Official 
Agencies: Go to Regulations.gov (https://www.regulations.gov). 
Instructions for submitting and reading comments are detailed on the 
website. All comments must be submitted through the Federal e-
rulemaking portal at https://www.regulations.gov and reference the 
document number and the date and page number of this issue of the 
Federal Register. All comments submitted in response to this notice 
will be included in the record and will be made available to the 
public. Please be advised that the identity of the individuals or 
entities submitting comments will be made public on the internet at the 
address provided above.
    Read Applications and Comments: If you would like to view the 
applications submitted, please contact [email protected]. All comments 
will be available for public viewing online at https://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Weiland, Grain Marketing 
Specialist, Telephone 202-720-8598; Email: [email protected] 
or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 7(f) of the United States Grain 
Standards Act (USGSA) authorizes the Secretary to designate a qualified 
private entity or state governmental agency to provide official 
services in a specified area after determining the applicant is better 
able than any other applicant to provide such official services (7 
U.S.C. 79(f)). A designated agency works under the supervision of the 
Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) and are authorized to provide 
official inspection service and/or Class X or Class Y weighing services 
at locations other than export port locations. Under section 7(g) of 
the USGSA, designations of official agencies may be awarded 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. See also 7 CFR part 800.196 for further information 
and guidance.
    AMS encourages application submissions from traditionally 
underrepresented individuals, organizations, and businesses to reflect 
the diversity of this industry. The Agency welcomes submissions from 
qualified applicants, regardless of race, color, age, sex, sexual 
orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, disability 
status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected 
by law.

Description of New Geographic Areas

    The following describes the new geographic areas about which AMS 
requests comments on the need for USGSA services and designation 
applications: Applicants may apply for all or part of the Lower 
Northwest Texas or Southeast Texas geographic areas.
    Lower Northwest Texas: The Texas counties of Bailey, Cochran, 
Hockley, Parmer and sections of Deaf Smith and Lamb Counties. In Deaf 
Smith County: The area north and west of TX-214. In Lamb County: The 
area south of CR FM 37 to US-84, south of US-84 to CR FM 303, west of 
CR FM 303 to US-70, south of US-70.
    Southeast Texas: The Texas counties of Aransas, Bee, Brazoria, 
Brooks, Calhoun, Cameron, Chambers, Colorado, Dimmit, Duval, Fort Bend, 
Galveston, Goliad, Harris, Hidalgo, Jackson, Jefferson, Jim Hogg, Jim 
Wells, Kennedy, Kleberg, La Salle, Live Oak, Matagorda, McMullen, 
Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio, Starr, Victoria, Waller, Webb, Wharton, 
Willacy, Zapata.

[[Page 58328]]

Existing Designation Application Locations

    Below are the currently operating designated official agencies and 
the specific areas of operation for designation applications. These are 
listed in order of anticipated designation termination date.
    Keokuk: Areas of designation includes parts of Illinois and Iowa. 
See the April 28, 2016, issue of the Federal Register (81 FR 17428) for 
descriptions of the areas open for designation.
    North Dakota Grain Inspection Service, Inc. (NDGI): Areas of 
designation include parts of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, 
North Dakota, and Ohio. Please see the November 10, 2022, issue of the 
Federal Register (87 FR 67855) reference to NDGI and the December 12, 
2016, Federal Register (81 FR 89428) reference to Decatur, Indiana, for 
descriptions of the areas open for designation.
    The designated USGSA authority for these two official agencies will 
end on the prescribed dates listed in the table below:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         Headquarters location and    Designation    Applications/comments open
            Official agency                      telephone                end                  period
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Keokuk Grain Inspection................  Keokuk, IA, 319-524-6482.       3/31/2025         11/01/2024-11/30/2024
North Dakota Grain Inspection Service,   Fargo, ND, 701-293-7420..      12/31/2025         08/01/2025-08/31/2025
 Inc..
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Designation Timelines

    Interested persons, entities or governmental agencies may apply for 
designation to provide official services in the geographic area noted 
below under the provisions of section 7(f) of the USGSA and 7 CFR part 
800.196. The designation time frame for Lower Northwest Texas and 
Southeast Texas territories will be determined as part of the 
application analysis. In the event multiple applicants are deemed 
qualified, AMS may issue an additional notice requesting public comment 
about the applicant(s) and their ability to provide quality official 
services.
    Designations in the specified geographic areas for Keokuk will 
occur no sooner than April 1, 2025. Designations in the specified 
geographic areas for NDGI will occur no sooner than January 1, 2026. To 
apply for designation or to request more information on the geographic 
areas serviced by these official agencies contact [email protected].

Melissa Bailey,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-15815 Filed 7-17-24; 8:45 am]
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