Agency designation actions: Illinois, et al.,

[Federal Register: January 4, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 1)]

[Notices]

[Page 75]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr04ja99-49]

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration

Designation for the Alton (IL), Columbus (OH), and Farwell (TX) Areas

AGENCY: Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA).

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: GIPSA announces designation of the following organizations to provide official services under the United States Grain Standards Act, as amended (Act):

Alton Grain Inspection Department, Inc. (Alton); Columbus Grain Inspection, Inc. (Columbus) and; Farwell Grain Inspection, Inc. (Farwell).

EFFECTIVE DATE: February 1, 1999.

ADDRESSES: USDA, GIPSA, Janet M. Hart, Chief, Review Branch, Compliance Division, STOP 3604, Room 1647-S, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20250-3604.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Janet M. Hart, at 202-720-8525.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This action has been reviewed and determined not to be a rule or regulation as defined in Executive Order 12866 and Departmental Regulation 1512-1; therefore, the Executive Order and Departmental Regulation do not apply to this action.

In the August 3, 1998, Federal Register (63 FR 41224), GIPSA asked persons interested in providing official services in the geographic areas assigned to Alton Grain Inspection Department, Columbus, and Farwell to submit an application for designation. Applications were due by September 1, 1998. There were four applicants: Alton (a new corporation set up by Alton Grain Inspection Department), Missouri Department of Agriculture, Columbus, and Farwell. Columbus and Farwell, each applied for designation to provide official services in the entire area currently assigned to them. Alton and the Missouri Department of Agriculture applied for designation to provide official services in the Alton area.

Since Columbus and Farwell were the only applicants, GIPSA did not ask for comments on them.

In the August 3, 1998, Federal Register, GIPSA asked for comments on Alton Grain Inspection Department. In the October 1, 1998, Federal Register (63 FR 52678), GIPSA asked for comments on the applicants for the Alton area. There were six comments to the August 3, 1998, Federal Register: five from customers of Alton Grain Inspection Department and one from a tow boat operator, all supporting designation of Alton Grain Inspection Department, Inc. There were no comments to the October 1, 1998, Federal Register.

GIPSA evaluated all available information regarding the designation criteria in Section 7(f)(1)(A) of the Act and, according to Section 7(f)(1)(B), determined that Columbus and Farwell are able to provide official services in the geographic areas for which they applied and that Alton is better able to provide official services in the Alton area.

Effective February 1, 1999, and ending January 31, 2000, Alton is designated to provide official services in the Alton geographic area specified in the August 3, 1998, Federal Register. Effective February 1, 1999, and ending January 31, 2002, Columbus and Farwell are designated to provide official services in the geographic areas specified in the August 3, 1998, Federal Register.

Interested persons may obtain official services by contacting Alton at 314-978-1961, Columbus at 740-474-3519, and Farwell at 806-481-9052.

Authority: Pub. L. 94-582, 90 Stat. 2867, as amended (7 U.S.C. 71 et seq.).

Dated: December 10, 1998. Neil E. Porter, Director, Compliance Division.

[FR Doc. 98-33929Filed12-31-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-EN-P