2017-05618. Opportunity for Designation in the Grand Forks, North Dakota, Area; Request for Comments on the Official Agency Servicing This Area

AGENCY:

Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration, USDA.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The designation of the official agency listed below will end on March 31, 2017. 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: Northern Plains Grain Inspection Service, Inc. (Northern Plains).

DATES:

Applications and comments must be received by April 21, 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: [e-mail].

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 [e-mail].

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:

Northern Plains

Pursuant to Section 79(f)(2) of the United States Grain Standards Act, the following geographic area in the States of Minnesota and North Dakota is assigned to this official agency.

In Minnesota

Kittson, Roseau, Lake of the Woods, Marshall, Beltrami, Polk, Pennington, Red Lake, and Clearwater Counties.

In North Dakota

Bounded on the north by the North Dakota State line; bounded on the east by the North Dakota State line south to the southern Grand Forks County line; bounded on the south by the southern Grand Forks and Nelson County lines west to the western Nelson County line; the western Nelson County line north to the southern Benson County line, the southern Benson and Pierce County lines west to State Route 3; and bounded on the west by State Route 3 north to the southern Rolette County line; the southern Rolette County line west to the western Rolette County line to the north to the North Dakota State line.

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 Minnesota and North Dakota is for the period beginning April 1, 2017, to March 31, 2022. 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 Northern Plains 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.