2017-10988. Opportunity for Designation in the Hastings 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 September 30, 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: Hastings Grain Inspection, Inc. (Hastings).

DATES:

Applications and comments must be received by June 29, 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: Jacob Thein, Compliance Officer, USDA, GIPSA, FGIS, QACD, 10383 North Ambassador Drive, Kansas City, MO 64153.
• Fax: Jacob Thein, 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:

Jacob Thein, 816-866-2223 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

Hastings

Pursuant to Section 79(f)(2) of the USGSA, the following geographic area in the State of Nebraska is assigned to this official agency.

In Nebraska

Bounded on the north by the northern Nebraska State line from the western Sioux County line east to the eastern Knox County line; bounded on the east by the eastern and southern Knox County lines; the eastern Antelope County line; the northern Madison County line east to U.S. Route 81; U.S. Route 81 south to the southern Madison County line; the southern Madison County line; the eastern Boone, Nance, and Merrick County lines; the Platte River southwest; the eastern Hamilton County line; the northern and eastern Fillmore County lines; the southern Fillmore County line west to U.S. Route 81; U.S. Route 81 south to State Highway 8; State Highway 8 west to the County Road 1 mile west of U.S. Route 81; the County Road south to the southern Nebraska State line; bounded on the south by the southern Nebraska State line, from the County Road 1 mile west of U.S. Route 81, west to the western Dundy County line; and bounded on the west by the western Dundy, Chase, Perkins, and Keith County lines; the southern and western Garden County lines; the southern Morrill County line west to U.S. Route 385; U.S. Route 385 north to the southern Box Butte County line; the southern and western Sioux County lines north to the northern Nebraska State line.

The following grain elevators are part of this geographic area assignment. In Kansas Grain Inspection Service, Inc.'s area: Farmers Coop, Big Springs, Deuel County, Nebraska; and Big Springs Elevator, Big Springs, Deuel County, Nebraska. In Fremont Grain Inspection Department, Inc.'s area: Huskers Cooperative Grain Company, Columbus, Platte County, Nebraska.

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 79(f) of the USGSA and 7 CFR 800.196. Designation in the specified geographic area in Nebraska is for the period beginning October 1, 2017, to September 30, 2022. To apply for designation or to request more information, contact Jacob Thein at the address listed above or visit GIPSA's Web site at (https://fgis.gipsa.usda.gov/​default_​home_​FGIS.aspx).

Request for Comments

We are publishing this notice to provide interested persons the opportunity to comment on the quality of services provided by the Hastings 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 Jacob Thein 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.