[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 28 (Wednesday, February 11, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7564-7566]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-02744]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration


Opportunity for Designation in the Topeka, KS; Cedar Rapids, IA; 
Minot, ND; and Cincinnati, OH, Areas; Request for Comments on the 
Official Agencies Servicing These Areas

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The designations of the official agencies listed below will 
end on June 30, 2015. We are asking persons or governmental agencies 
interested in providing official services in the areas presently served 
by these agencies to submit an application for designation. In 
addition, we are asking for comments on the quality of services 
provided by the following designated agencies: Kansas Grain Inspection 
Service, Inc. (Kansas); Mid-Iowa Grain Inspection, Inc. (Mid-Iowa); 
Minot Grain Inspection, Inc. (Minot); and Tri-State Grain Inspection 
Service, Inc. (Tri-State).

DATES: Applications and comments must be received by March 13, 2015.

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: Eric J. Jabs, Deputy 
Director, USDA, GIPSA, FGIS, QACD, 10383 North Ambassador Drive, Kansas 
City, MO 64153.
     Fax: Eric J. Jabs, 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)).

[[Page 7565]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric J. Jabs, 816-659-8408 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 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

Kansas

    Pursuant to section 79(f)(2) of the United States Grain Standards 
Act, the following geographic area, in the States of Colorado, Kansas, 
Nebraska, and Wyoming are assigned to this official agency.
In Colorado
    The entire State of Colorado.
In Kansas
    The entire State of Kansas.
In Nebraska
    Bounded on the North by the northern Scotts Bluff County line; the 
northern Morrill County line east to Highway 385;
    Bounded on the East by Highway 385 south to the northern Cheyenne 
County line; the northern and eastern Cheyenne County lines; the 
northern and eastern Deuel County lines;
    Bounded on the South by the southern Deuel, Cheyenne, and Kimball 
County lines; and
    Bounded on the West by the western Kimball, Banner, and Scotts 
Bluff County lines.
In Wyoming
    Goshen, Laramie, and Platt Counties.
    The following grain elevators are not part of this geographic area 
assignment and are assigned to: Hastings Grain Inspection, Inc.: 
Farmers Coop and Big Springs Elevator, Big Springs, Deuel County, 
Nebraska.

Mid-Iowa

    Pursuant to section 79(f)(2) of the United States Grain Standards 
Act, the following geographic area, in the States of Minnesota and 
Iowa, is assigned to this official agency.
In Minnesota
    Wabasha, Olmstead, Winona, Houston, and Fillmore Counties.
In Iowa
    Bounded on the North by the northern Winneshiek and Allamakee 
County lines;
    Bounded on the East by the eastern Allamakee County line; the 
eastern and southern Clayton County lines; the eastern Buchanan County 
line; the northern and eastern Jones County lines; the eastern Cedar 
County line south to State Route 130;
    Bounded on the South by State Route 130 west to State Route 38; 
State Route 38 south to Interstate 80; Interstate 80 west to U.S. Route 
63; and
    Bounded on the West by U.S. Route 63 north to State Route 8; State 
Route 8 east to State Route 21; State Route 21 north to D38; D38 east 
to State Route 297; State Route 297 north to V49; V49 north to Bremer 
County; the southern Bremer County line; the western Fayette and 
Winneshiek County lines.

Minot

    Pursuant to section 79(f)(2) of the United States Grain Standards 
Act, the following geographic area, in the State of North Dakota, is 
assigned to this official agency.
In North Dakota
    Bounded on the North by the North Dakota State line east to the 
eastern Bottineau County line;
    Bounded on the East by the eastern Bottineau County line south to 
the northern Pierce County line; the northern Pierce County line east 
to State Route 3; State Route 3 south to State Route 200;
    Bounded on the South by State Route 200 west to State Route 41; 
State Route 41 south to U.S. Route 83; U.S. Route 83 northwest to State 
Route 200; State Route 200 west to U.S. Route 85; U.S. Route 85 south 
to Interstate 94; Interstate 94 west to the North Dakota State line; 
and
    Bounded on the West by the North Dakota State line.
    The following grain elevators are part of this geographic area 
assignment. In Grain Inspection, Inc.'s, area: Benson Quinn Company, 
Underwood, McLean County; and Falkirk Farmers Elevator, Washburn, 
McLean County, North Dakota.

Tri-State

    Pursuant to section 79(f)(2) of the United States Grain Standards 
Act, the following geographic area, in the States of Indiana, Kentucky, 
and Ohio, is assigned to this official agency.
In Indiana
    Dearborn, Decatur, Franklin, Ohio, Ripley, Rush (south of State 
Route 244), and Switzerland Counties.
In Kentucky
    Bath, Boone, Bourbon, Bracken, Campbell, Clark, Fleming, Gallatin, 
Grant, Harrison, Kenton, Lewis (west of State Route 59), Mason, 
Montgomery, Nicholas, Owen, Pendleton, and Robertson Counties.
In Ohio
    Bounded on the North by the northern Preble County line east; the 
western and northern Miami County lines east to State Route 296; State 
Route 296 east to State Route 560; State Route 560 south to the Clark 
County line; the northern Clark County line east to U.S. Route 68;
    Bounded on the East by U.S. Route 68 south to U.S. Route 22; U.S. 
Route 22 east to State Route 73; State Route 73 southeast to the Adams 
County line; the eastern Adams County line;
    Bounded on the South by the southern Adams, Brown, Clermont, and 
Hamilton County lines; and
    Bounded on the West by the western Hamilton, Butler, and Preble 
County lines.

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 the 
period beginning July 1, 2015, and ending June 30, 2018. To apply for 
designation or for more information, contact Eric J. Jabs at the 
address listed above or visit GIPSA's Web site at http://
www.gipsa.usda.gov.

Request for Comments

    We are publishing this Notice to provide interested persons the 
opportunity to comment on the quality of services provided by the 
Kansas, Mid-Iowa, Minot, and Tri-State official agencies. 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 Eric J. Jabs 
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.


[[Page 7566]]


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

Larry Mitchell,
Administrator, Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration.
[FR Doc. 2015-02744 Filed 2-10-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-KD-P