2014-24338. Opportunity for Designation in Casa Grande, AZ; Jamestown, ND; Lincoln, NE; Memphis, TN; and Sioux City, IA Areas; Request for Comments on the Official Agencies Servicing These Areas

AGENCY:

Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration, USDA.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The designations of the official agencies listed below will end on March 31, 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: Farwell Commodity Grain Services, Inc. (Farwell Southwest); Grain Inspection, Inc. (Jamestown); Lincoln Inspection Service, Inc. (Lincoln); Midsouth Grain Inspection Service (Midsouth); and Sioux City Inspection and Weighing Service Company (Sioux City).

DATES:

Applications and comments must be received by November 13, 2014.

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: [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:

Eric J. Jabs, 816-659-8408 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 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

Farwell Southwest

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

In Arizona

Maricopa, Pinal, Santa Cruz, and Yuma Counties.

In California

Imperial, Riverside, and San Diego Counties.

Farwell Southwest's assigned geographic area does not include the export port locations inside Farwell Southwest's area, which are serviced by GIPSA.

Jamestown

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

Traverse, Grant, Douglas, Todd, Morrison, Mille Lacs, Kanabec, Pine, Big Stone, Stevens, Pope, Stearns, Benton, Isanti, Chisago, Swift, Kandiyohi, Meeker, Wright, Sherburne, Anoka, Lac Qui Parle, and Chippewa Counties.

In North Dakota

Bounded on the North by Interstate 94 east to U.S. Route 85; U.S. Route 85 north to State Route 200; State Route 200 east to U.S. Route 83; U.S. Route 83 southeast to State Route 41; State Route 41 north to State Route 200; State Route 200 east to State Route 3; State Route 3 north to the northern Wells County line, the northern Wells and Eddy County lines east; the eastern Eddy County line south to the northern Griggs County line; the northern Griggs county line east to State Route 32;

Bounded on the East by State Route 32 south to State Route 45; State Route 45 south to State Route 200; State Route 200 west to State Route 1; State Route 1 south to the Soo Railroad line; the Soo Railroad line southeast to Interstate 94; Interstate 94 west to State Route 1; State Route 1 south to the Dickey County line;

Bounded on the South by the southern Dickey County line west to U.S. Route 281; U.S. Route 281 north to the Lamoure County line; the southern Lamoure County line; the southern Logan County line west to State Route 13; State Route 13 west to U.S. Route 83; U.S. Route 83 south to the Emmons County line; the southern Emmons County line; the southern Sioux County line west State Route 49; State Route 49 north to State Route 21; State Route 21 west to the Burlington-Northern line; the Burlington-Northern line northwest to State Route 22; State Route 22 south to U.S. Route 12; U.S. Route 12 west-northwest to the North Dakota State line; and

Bounded on the West by the western North Dakota State line north to Interstate 94.

The following grain elevators are not part of this geographic area assignment and are assigned to: Minot Grain Inspection, Inc.: Benson Quinn Company, Underwood, McLean County and Falkirk Farmers Elevator, Washburn, McLean County, North Dakota.

Lincoln

Pursuant to Section 79(f)(2) of the United States Grain Standards Act, the following geographic area, in the States of Iowa, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Texas, are assigned to this official agency.

In Iowa and Nebraska

Bounded on the North (in Nebraska) by the northern York, Seward, and Lancaster County lines; the northern Cass County line east to the Missouri River; the Missouri River south to U.S. Route 34. U.S. Route 34 east to Interstate 29; Bounded on the East by Interstate 29 south to the Fremont County line; the northern Fremont and Page County lines; the eastern Page County line south to the Iowa-Missouri State line; the Iowa Missouri State line west to the Missouri River; the Missouri River south-southeast to the Nebraska Kansas State line; Bounded on the South by the Nebraska-Kansas State line west to County Road 1 mile west of U.S. Route 81; Bounded on the West by County Road 1 mile west of U.S. Route 81 north to State Highway 8; State Highway 8 east to U.S. Route 81; U.S. Route 81 north to the Thayer County line; the northern Thayer County line east; the western Saline County line; the southern and western York County lines.

In New Mexico

Bernalillo, Chaves, Curry, DeBaca, Eddy, Guadalupe, Lea, Quay, Roosevelt, San Miguel, Santa Fe, Torrance, and Union Counties.

In Texas

Bailey, Cochran, Deaf Smith (west of State Route 214), Hockley, Lamb (south of a line bounded by U.S. Route 70, FM 303, U.S. Route 84, and FM 37), and Parmer Counties.

The following grain elevators are not part of this geographic area assignment and are assigned to: Omaha Grain Inspection Service, Inc.: Goode Seed & Grain, McPaul, Fremont County, Iowa; and Haveman Grain, Murray, Cass County, Nebraska.

Midsouth

Pursuant to Section 79(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.

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.

Sioux City

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

In Iowa

Bounded on the North by the northern Iowa State line from the Big Sioux River east to U.S. Route 59; U.S. Route 59 south to B24; B24 east to the eastern O'Brien County line; the O'Brien County line south; the northern Buena Vista County line east to U.S. Route 71; U.S. Route 71 north to the northern Iowa State line east to U.S. Route 169;

Bounded on the East by U.S. Route 169 south to State Route 9; State Route 9 west to U.S. Route 169; U.S. Route 169 south to the northern Humboldt County line; the Humboldt County line east to State Route 17; State Route 17 south to C54; C54 east to U.S. Route 69; U.S. Route 69 south to the northern Hamilton County line; the Hamilton County line west to R38; R38 south to U.S. Route 20; U.S. Route 20 west to the eastern and southern Webster County lines to U.S. Route 169; U.S. Route 169 south to E18; E18 west to the eastern Greene County line; the Greene County line south to U.S. Route 30;

Bounded on the South by U.S. Route 30 west to E53; E53 west to N44; N44 north to U.S. Route 30; U.S. Route 30 west to U.S. Route 71; U.S. Route 71 north to the southern Sac and Ida County lines; the eastern Monona County line south to State Route 37; State Route 37 west to State Route 175; State Route 175 west to the Missouri River;

Bounded on the West by the Missouri River north to the Big Sioux River; the Big Sioux River north to the northern Iowa State line.

In Minnesota

Yellow Medicine, Renville, Lincoln, Lyon, Redwood, Pipestone, Murray, Cottonwood, Rock, Nobles, Jackson, and Martin Counties.

In Nebraska

Cedar, Dakota, Dixon, Pierce (north of U.S. Route 20), and Thurston Counties.

In South Dakota

Bounded on the North by State Route 44 (U.S. 18) east to State Route 11; State Route 11 south to A54B; A54B east to the Big Sioux River;

Bounded on the East by the Big Sioux River;

Bounded on the South and West by the Missouri River.

The following grain elevators are part of this geographic area assignment. In Central Iowa Grain Inspection Service, Inc.'s, area: West Central Coop, Boxholm, Boone County, Iowa. In D. R. Schaal Agency's area: Maxyield Coop, Algona, Kossuth County; Stateline Coop, Burt, Kossuth County; Gold-Eagle, Goldfield, Wright County; and North Central Coop, Holmes, Wright County, Iowa.

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 area for Farwell Southwest is for the period beginning April 1, 2015 and ending March 31, 2017. Designation in the specified geographic area for Jamestown, Lincoln, Midsouth, and Sioux City is for the period beginning April 1, 2015 and ending March 31, 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 Farwell Southwest, Jamestown, Lincoln, Midsouth, and Sioux City 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.

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

Larry Mitchell,

Administrator, Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration.