Proposed Establishment of the Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley Viticultural Area, 27001-27007 [2012-11069]
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[FR Doc. 2012–11025 Filed 5–7–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade
Bureau
27 CFR Part 9
[Docket No. TTB–2012–0003; Notice No.
128]
RIN 1513–AB85
Proposed Establishment of the Ancient
Lakes of Columbia Valley Viticultural
Area
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and
Trade Bureau, Treasury.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
AGENCY:
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax
and Trade Bureau (TTB) proposes to
establish the 162,762-acre ‘‘Ancient
Lakes of Columbia Valley’’ viticultural
area in Douglas, Grant, and Kittitas
Counties in central Washington. The
proposed viticultural area lies within
the larger Columbia Valley viticultural
area. TTB designates viticultural areas
to allow vintners to better describe the
origin of their wines and to allow
consumers to better identify wines they
may purchase. TTB invites comments
on this proposed addition to its
regulations.
DATES: We must receive your comments
on or before July 9, 2012.
ADDRESSES: Please send your comments
on this notice to one of the following
addresses:
• Internet: https://www.regulations.gov
(via the online comment form for this
notice as posted within Docket No.
TTB–2012–0003 at ‘‘Regulations.gov,’’
the Federal e-rulemaking portal);
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SUMMARY:
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• U.S. Mail: Director, Regulations and
Rulings Division, Alcohol and Tobacco
Tax and Trade Bureau, P.O. Box 14412,
Washington, DC 20044–4412; or
• Hand delivery/courier in lieu of
mail: Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and
Trade Bureau, 1310 G Street NW., Suite
200E, Washington, DC 20005.
See the Public Participation section of
this notice for specific instructions and
requirements for submitting comments,
and for information on how to request
a public hearing.
You may view copies of this notice,
selected supporting materials, and any
comments that TTB receives about this
proposal at https://www.regulations.gov
within Docket No. TTB–2012–0003. A
link to that docket is posted on the TTB
Web site at https://www.ttb.gov/wine/
wine_rulemaking.shtml under Notice
No. 128. You also may view copies of
this notice, all related petitions, maps,
or other supporting materials, and any
comments that TTB receives about this
proposal by appointment at the TTB
Information Resource Center, 1310 G
Street NW., Washington, DC 20005.
Please call 202–453–2270 to make an
appointment.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Karen A. Thornton, Regulations and
Rulings Division, Alcohol and Tobacco
Tax and Trade Bureau, 1310 G St. NW.,
Box 12, Washington, DC 20005; phone
202–453–1039, ext. 175.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background on Viticultural Areas
TTB Authority
Section 105(e) of the Federal Alcohol
Administration Act (FAA Act), 27
U.S.C. 205(e), authorizes the Secretary
of the Treasury to prescribe regulations
for the labeling of wine, distilled spirits,
and malt beverages. The FAA Act
provides that these regulations should,
among other things, prohibit consumer
deception and the use of misleading
statements on labels, and ensure that
labels provide the consumer with
adequate information as to the identity
and quality of the product. The Alcohol
and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau
(TTB) administers the FAA Act
pursuant to section 1111(d) of the
Homeland Security Act of 2002,
codified at 6 U.S.C. 531(d). The
Secretary has delegated various
authorities through Treasury
Department Order 120–01 (Revised),
dated January 21, 2003, to the TTB
Administrator to perform the functions
and duties in the administration and
enforcement of this law.
Part 4 of the TTB regulations (27 CFR
part 4) allows the establishment of
definitive viticultural areas and the use
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27001
of their names as appellations of origin
on wine labels and in wine
advertisements. Part 9 of the TTB
regulations (27 CFR part 9) sets forth
standards for the preparation and
submission of petitions for the
establishment or modification of
American viticultural areas and lists the
approved American viticultural areas.
Definition
Section 4.25(e)(1)(i) of the TTB
regulations (27 CFR 4.25(e)(1)(i)) defines
a viticultural area for American wine as
a delimited grape-growing region having
distinguishing features as described in
part 9 of the regulations and a name and
a delineated boundary as established in
part 9 of the regulations. These
designations allow vintners and
consumers to attribute a given quality,
reputation, or other characteristic of a
wine made from grapes grown in an area
to its geographic origin. The
establishment of viticultural areas
allows vintners to describe more
accurately the origin of their wines to
consumers and helps consumers to
identify wines they may purchase.
Establishment of a viticultural area is
neither an approval nor an endorsement
by TTB of the wine produced in that
area.
Requirements
Section 4.25(e)(2) of the TTB
regulations outlines the procedure for
proposing an American viticultural area
and provides that any interested party
may petition TTB to establish a grapegrowing region as a viticultural area.
Section 9.12 of the TTB regulations (27
CFR 9.12) prescribes standards for
petitions for the establishment or
modification of American viticultural
areas. Such petitions must include the
following:
• Evidence that the area within the
proposed viticultural area boundary is
nationally or locally known by the
viticultural area name specified in the
petition;
• An explanation of the basis for
defining the boundary of the proposed
viticultural area;
• A narrative description of the
features of the proposed viticultural area
that affect viticulture, such as climate,
geology, soils, physical features, and
elevation, that make the proposed
viticultural area distinctive and
distinguish it from adjacent areas
outside the proposed viticultural area
boundary;
• A copy of the appropriate United
States Geological Survey (USGS) map(s)
showing the location of the proposed
viticultural area, with the boundary of
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the proposed viticultural area clearly
drawn thereon; and
• A detailed narrative description of
the proposed viticultural area boundary
based on USGS map markings.
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Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley
Petition
TTB received a petition from Joan R.
Davenport, a professor of soil sciences at
Washington State University, and
Cameron Fries of White Heron Cellars,
on behalf of the vintners and grape
growers in the Ancient Lakes region of
central Washington, proposing the
establishment of the ‘‘Ancient Lakes of
Columbia Valley’’ viticultural area. The
proposed viticultural area contains
162,762 acres, 1,399 acres of which are
dedicated to commercially-producing
vineyards. The petition states that there
are six wineries and six commerciallyproducing vineyards located within the
proposed viticultural area. The petition
also includes a map showing that the
vineyards and wineries are dispersed
throughout the proposed viticultural
area. According to the petition, the
distinguishing features of the proposed
viticultural area include its topography,
soils, climate, and geology. Unless
otherwise noted, all information and
data contained in the below sections
concerning the name, boundary, and
distinguishing features of the proposed
viticultural area are from the petition for
the proposed Ancient Lakes of
Columbia Valley viticultural area and its
supporting exhibits.
TTB notes that the proposed Ancient
Lakes of Columbia Valley viticultural
area lies completely within the existing
Columbia Valley viticultural area (27
CFR 9.74). The proposed viticultural
area does not overlap with any other
existing or proposed viticultural area.
Name Evidence
The USGS Babcock Ridge map shows
the ‘‘Ancient Lake’’ place name marking
a cluster of three lakes located in the
western half of the proposed Ancient
Lakes of Columbia Valley viticultural
area. According to the USGS Geographic
Names Information System (GNIS), the
‘‘Ancient Lake’’ geographical name is
also used for two other areas in Oregon.
Given the multiple locations with the
same name, TTB requested that the
petitioners provide a geographical
modifier to the ‘‘Ancient Lakes’’ name
originally proposed by the petitioners.
In response to TTB’s request, the
petitioners changed the proposed
viticultural area name to ‘‘Ancient Lakes
of Columbia Valley’’ to clarify the
location of the proposed viticultural
area and avoid any potential confusion
with any other locations referred to as
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‘‘Ancient Lakes.’’ Additionally, TTB
notes that GNIS shows no other area
located within the Columbia Valley
region, including within the existing
Columbia Valley viticultural area, that is
designated as ‘‘Ancient Lake’’ or
‘‘Ancient Lakes.’’
‘‘Ancient Lakes’’ is a name commonly
used by local residents and businesses
for the general region near the cluster of
three lakes appearing on the Babcock
Ridge map. The petitioners submitted a
newspaper article, area maps, and
printed documentation of online news
articles that demonstrate such usage.
The newspaper article concerned a
geological tour of the Quincy Valley and
listed one of the tour stops as the
‘‘incised coulees of the Ancient Lakes
area’’ (‘‘Geological touring,’’ Quincy
Valley Post-Register, September 10,
2005). An online news article on desert
recreation in Washington State from the
Web site of The Oregonian newspaper is
titled ‘‘Ancient Lakes provide water for
wildlife in Washington’s sagebrush
desert’’ (OregonLive.com, March 31,
2010). The Wenatchee Area Wine Trail
Map denotes an area surrounding
several wineries as the ‘‘Ancient Lakes
Area.’’ Also, a vacation guide map of
Grant County, Washington, designates a
cluster of three lakes within the
proposed viticultural area as ‘‘Ancient
Lakes.’’
The petition also includes a series of
letters submitted by county and State
government officials, a Member of
Congress, and businesses within the
general region of the proposed
viticultural area, and area winemakers
that support both the establishment of
the proposed viticultural area and the
use of the Ancient Lakes name.
Boundary Evidence
The proposed Ancient Lakes of
Columbia Valley viticultural area is
located within a bowl-shaped formation
known as the Quincy Basin, which lies
within the larger Columbia Valley
region of central Washington. Most of
the proposed viticultural area is within
Grant County, with small parts in
Douglas and Kittitas Counties. The
proposed Ancient Lakes of Columbia
Valley viticultural area is 12 miles from
east-to-west and 22 miles from north-tosouth, according to USGS maps. The
Columbia River forms the western
portion of the proposed boundary line.
The Babcock Bench and Babcock Ridge
formations, which run north and south
along the eastern side of the river within
the proposed viticultural area, rise
sharply before descending to the lower
slopes of the basin floor. The Potholes
Coulee, a distinctive feature within the
proposed viticultural area, juts from the
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Babcock Bench into the floor of the
Quincy Basin. The coulee consists of
two parallel, steep-sided canyons
running west to east, perpendicular to
the Babcock Bench. When viewed from
above, the coulee has a horseshoe shape,
with the Babcock Bench forming the
bottom of the horseshoe. The coulee is
dotted with lakes, including the cluster
of three lakes identified as Ancient Lake
on the USGS Babcock Ridge map.
Two east-to-west mountain ranges,
Beezley Hills and Frenchman Hills,
define the respective northern and
southern edges of the Quincy Basin.
These ranges also form the north and
south portions of the boundary line of
the proposed Ancient Lakes of
Columbia Valley viticultural area.
The USGS maps show that the eastern
portion of the proposed boundary line
closely follows the north-to-south
Frenchman Hills Wasteway. TTB notes
that the wasteway is a manmade
irrigation canal. The proposed eastern
boundary line is in the region where the
Beezley Hills begin to curve to the north
and the Frenchman Hills begin to curve
to the south, pulling away from their
basin-forming shape and marking the
eastern edge of the Quincy Basin.
The western portion of the proposed
boundary line follows the western
shoreline of the Columbia River in
Kittitas County. The mountainous
landscape to the west of the Columbia
River (outside of the proposed
viticultural area) marks the western
edge of the Quincy Basin. Much of the
land to the west of the Columbia River
outside of the proposed viticultural area
is designated as a wildlife refuge by the
Washington State Department of Game
and Wildlife, and, according to the
petitioners, is unlikely to be available
for agricultural purposes.
Distinguishing Features
The distinguishing features of the
proposed Ancient Lakes of Columbia
Valley viticultural area are topography,
soils, and climate.
Topography
The proposed viticultural area is
located within a distinctive landform
locally referred to as the Quincy Basin.
The basin has elevations lower than the
surrounding area and slopes gently to
the east. As previously noted the
foothills of the Beezley Mountains and
the Frenchman Hills form the northern
and southern portions of the proposed
boundary. The foothills of the Beezley
Hills within the proposed viticultural
area start at around 1,300 feet near the
town of Quincy and rise to around 1,600
feet at the northern portion of the
proposed boundary line. In the foothills
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of the Frenchman Hills, the elevations
begin around at 1,200 feet within the
proposed viticultural area and rise to
1,912 feet at the peak marked Columbia
on the USGS Vantage map, near the
southern portion of the proposed
boundary line.
The floor of the basin comprises most
of the proposed viticultural area and is
much flatter than most of the
surrounding region. The Babcock
Bench, Babcock Ridge, and the Potholes
Coulee provide the only significant
elevation changes and slope gradients
within the basin. The Babcock Bench
begins as a narrow band of nearly flat
land within the proposed viticultural
area, with an elevation of 570 feet at the
edge of the river, and quickly rises to
the east to form a steep and rugged
terrain. At about the 1,100-foot
elevation, the slopes of the Babcock
Bench become even steeper and higher,
forming the Babcock Ridge, with
elevations up to 1,586 feet. A map
submitted with the petition shows slope
gradients of 54 to 63 percent on the
Babcock Ridge. The eastern slopes of
Babcock Ridge are less steep than the
western slopes, with slope gradients of
approximately 27 percent, and descend
to the lower elevations of the Quincy
Basin floor. The highest elevation on the
Potholes Coulee is a 1,328-foot peak on
the rim. The three lakes identified as
Ancient Lake on the USGS map have an
elevation of 821 feet at water level,
which is one of the lowest elevations in
the coulee. The floor of the Quincy
Basin has a nearly flat topography and
slopes downward gently and gradually
towards the east from the Potholes
Coulee and Babcock Ridge, with a
sloping gradient of less than 4 percent.
To the north of the proposed
viticultural area, the slope gradient is
much steeper and the elevations are
much higher. The Beezley Hills rise
from the foothills to an elevation of
2,882 feet at Monument Hill. Slope
gradients in the hills range from 27 to
54 percent, much steeper than the floor
of the Quincy Basin within the
proposed viticultural area.
To the east of the proposed
viticultural area, the topography is
nearly flat, similar to the floor of the
Quincy Basin within the proposed
viticultural area. However, the slight
elevations of the region to the east of the
proposed viticultural area have mostly
western-facing slopes, in contrast to the
mostly eastern-facing slopes of the basin
floor within the proposed viticultural
area. The terrain east of the proposed
viticultural area also develops an
upward slope with a gradient of
approximately 11 percent. The change
in slope and the increase in gradient
mark the eastern edge of the Quincy
Basin.
To the south of the proposed
viticultural area are the Frenchman
Hills, which form the southern edge of
the Quincy Basin. Outside of the
proposed viticultural area, the
elevations of the Frenchman Hills begin
to descend from a height of around
1,740 feet, transitioning into the feature
known as the Royal Slope. The Royal
Slope descends to approximately 1,000
feet and has slope gradients ranging
from 4 to 11 percent.
To the west of the Babcock Bench and
Columbia River, beyond the boundary of
the proposed viticultural area, the
Proposed
viticultural
area
Soil
Quincy fine sand ..................................................................
Warden very fine sandy loam ..............................................
Taunton silt loam and loamy fine sand ...............................
Scoon silt loam ....................................................................
Shano silt loam ....................................................................
Sagehill very fine sandy loam ..............................................
Adkins very fine sandy loam ................................................
18.49
11.65
9.91
8.92
6.63
5.36
3.36
North
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
terrain is rugged and steep, with slope
gradients of between 27 to 54 percent.
Elevations in this region start at 580 feet
along the banks of the Columbia River
and quickly rise to 2,765 feet at a peak
on the West Bar map.
Soils
The proposed Ancient Lakes of
Columbia Valley viticultural area
contains 65 soil types (United States
Department of Agriculture-Natural
Resources Conservation Service (USDA–
NCRS), https://
datagateway.nrcs.usda.gov), with the
most common 17 soils within the
proposed viticultural area covering 88
percent of the land surface. The Ancient
Lakes region soils are classified as
Aridisols, which were formed in arid
conditions and have a low presence of
organic matter. Soils with low levels of
organic matter are important in
viticulture because they release less
nitrogen, resulting in less vigorous vine
growth and a more favorable fruit-tocanopy ratio.
The petition includes two tables that
describe the soil composition of the
proposed Ancient Lakes of Columbia
Valley viticultural area and the areas
due north, east, south, and west. The
first table lists the seven most common
soil series in the proposed viticultural
area and the percentage (and rank) of
the series in areas due north, east, south,
and west. The second table lists the top
five soil series in the areas surrounding
the proposed viticultural area. The
tables show significant contrasts in soils
within and outside of the proposed
Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley
viticultural area.
East
0.71 (40)
0.07 (92)
0
0
0
0
0
South
36.5 (1)
0.11 (20)
7.75 (4)
1.76 (11)
0
0.06 (22)
0
North
East
Toler ashy fine sandy loam .......
Esquatzel silt loam ....................
Quincy fine sand .......................
Malaga gravelly sandy loam .....
3 ........
4 ........
5 ........
Ritzville silt loam .......................
Argaback very cobbly loam .......
Bagdad silt loam .......................
Timmerman coarse sandy loam
Taunton loamy fine sand ..........
Prosser very fine sandy loam ...
Pits ............................................
Taunton silt loam and loamy
fine sand.
Scoon silt loam ..........................
Quincy fine sand .......................
Adkins very fine sandy loam .....
7.41 (5)
0.42 (26)
9.76 (3)
7.55 (4)
3.69 (9)
0.42 (25)
4.76 (7)
South
1 ........
2 ........
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Rank
To the north of the proposed Ancient
Lakes of Columbia Valley viticultural
area, the five most common northern
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soils are all Mollisols, which have high
levels of organic matter that can
contribute to more vigorous vine growth
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West
West
Shin very cobbly ashy loam.
Argaback very cobbly loam.
Jumpe stony ashy loam.
Tekison stony loam.
Malaga stony sandy loam.
than the Aridisoils of the proposed
viticultural area. The most common
northern soil series shows influence
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0
0
0
0
0
0
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from volcanic activity. Volcanic soils
tend to have water repellant
characteristics and provide irrigation
challenges.
To the east, Quincy fine sand and
Taunton loamy fine sand are two of the
five most common soils, similar to the
proposed Ancient Lakes of Columbia
Valley viticultural area. However, there
are fewer soil types to the east than
within the proposed viticultural area,
and a higher percentage of the soils to
the east are sandy soils. Soils high in
sand have lower water holding
capacities than less sandy soils.
To the south, all of the seven most
common soils in the Ancient Lakes
region are present; however, these soils
account for only 24.72 percent of the
soil composition. Schawana complex
soils, which are not present within the
proposed viticultural area, are the most
dominant in the area to the south of the
proposed viticultural area, comprising
15.43 percent of the soils. Schawana
complex soils are described as very
weakly developed soils with very
shallow depths that are not particularly
well suited for viticulture.
The region to the west contains none
of the seven most common soils found
within the proposed viticultural area.
Two of the most common soils to the
west are of volcanic origin, as indicated
by the presence of ash. These soils, like
the volcanic soils to the north of the
proposed viticultural area, have low
water holding capacities. The most
common soils to the west also contain
large quantities of stones and cobbles,
which also have low water holding
capacity.
Climate
The petition provides climatic data
for the proposed Ancient Lakes of
Columbia Valley viticultural area and
the surrounding areas, including annual
precipitation averages in inches,
growing degree day (GDD) units,1 and
the number of consecutive days during
Proposed
viticultural
area
Location
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Precipitation in inches ..........................................................
GDD units ............................................................................
Number of continuous GDD days ........................................
North
6.49
2,570
182
which GDD accumulation was not
interrupted by a day when the
temperature did not exceed 50 degrees
Fahrenheit (F). A base temperature of 50
degrees F is used because that is the
base temperature used for calculating
growing degree days. TTB notes that a
continuous span of GDD unit
accumulation contributes to consistent
grape growth and achieving maturity
before the onset of freezing
temperatures.
The table below was derived from the
data contained in the petition. The
petition uses long-term weather station
data from the Quincy (within the
proposed viticultural area), Wenatchee
(to the north), and Moses Lake (to the
east) sites; 2009–10 data from the Royal
City West (to the south) site; 2 and 2007–
2010 data from the Wenatchee Heights
(to the west) site 3 (the Washington
Agricultural Weather Network Version
2.0, WSU Prosser,
www.weather.wsu.edu).
East
10
2,640
186
South
7
2,551
175
7.03
2,784
153
West
8.18
2,169
152
The data in the table above show that
the climate within the proposed Ancient
Lakes of Columbia Valley viticultural
area is distinguishable from the climate
in surrounding areas. The area to the
north of the proposed viticultural area
has more precipitation, more GDD units,
and more continuous GDD unit days.
The area to the east is cooler, as shown
by fewer GDD units and a shorter period
of GDD unit days. The area to the south
has a greater fluctuation in growing
season temperatures than the proposed
viticultural area; although daytime
temperatures climb high enough above
50 degrees F to achieve a high total
number of GDD units, temperatures also
drop below 50 degrees F frequently
enough to result in a shorter number of
continuous GDD unit days. The area to
the west receives more precipitation
than the proposed viticultural area and
is cooler, with fewer GDD units and a
shorter period of continuous GDD unit
days.
Comparison of the Proposed Ancient
Lakes of Columbia Valley to the Existing
Columbia Valley Viticultural Area
The proposed Ancient Lakes of
Columbia Valley viticultural area lies
entirely within, and is approximately
0.01 percent the size of, the Columbia
Valley viticultural area. The 11.6
million acre Columbia Valley
viticultural area was established by T.D.
ATF–190, which published in the
Federal Register (49 FR 44895) on
November 13, 1984. T.D. ATF–190
describes the Columbia Valley as a
large, treeless basin surrounding the
Yakima, Snake, and Columbia Rivers in
portions of Washington and Oregon.
The topography of the Columbia Valley
viticultural area was described as a
rolling terrain, cut by rivers and broken
by long, sloping, basaltic, east-west
uplifts. In addition, T.D. ATF–190 states
that the Columbia Valley viticultural
area is dominated by major rivers and
has a long, dry growing season
characterized by an average growing
season of 150 days or more; 2,000 GDD
units or more; and 15 inches of rainfall
or less annually.
The information submitted in the
petition shows that the smaller
proposed Ancient Lakes of Columbia
Valley viticultural area generally has a
climate that fits within the climate range
of the larger Columbia Valley
viticultural area as described in T.D.
ATF–190, with low annual
precipitation, a growing season of 180
days, and 2,570 GDD units. However,
TTB notes that the relatively uniform
distinguishing features of the smaller
proposed Ancient Lakes of Columbia
Valley viticultural area contrast to the
more varied topography, soils, and
climate of the expansive Columbia
Valley viticultural area.
Like the Columbia Valley viticultural
area, the proposed Ancient Lakes of
Columbia Valley viticultural area is also
a basin, ringed by the steep slopes of the
Beezley Hills, the Babcock Bench, and
the Frenchman Hills. However, the
Columbia Valley viticultural area is
marked by three major rivers, whereas
1 In the Winkler climatic classification system,
annual heat accumulation during the growing
season, measured in annual GDD, defines climatic
regions. One GDD accumulates for each degree
Fahrenheit that a day’s mean temperature is above
50 degrees, the minimum temperature required for
grapevine growth (‘‘General Viticulture,’’ by Albert
J. Winkler, University of California Press, 1974,
pages 61–64.)
2 According to the petitioner, the Royal City West
weather station went online in December 2008. The
data included in the tables is for the only two
complete years available from that station.
3 According to the petitioner, the Wenatchee
Heights weather station data is only available from
2006. The data included in the tables is for the only
four complete years available from that station.
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the water features of the proposed
Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley
viticultural area include many small
lakes and two manmade irrigation
canals; the only major river in the
proposed Ancient Lakes of Columbia
Valley viticultural area is the Columbia
River, which forms the western portion
of the proposed boundary line.
Additionally, the soil information
provided in the petition for the
proposed Ancient Lakes of Columbia
Valley viticultural area shows that
although the soil types found within the
proposed boundary are present to some
extent in the surrounding areas, they do
not occur with the same frequency as
within the proposed viticultural area.
TTB Determination
TTB concludes that the petition to
establish the 162,762-acre Ancient
Lakes of Columbia Valley viticultural
area merits consideration and public
comment, as invited in this notice.
Boundary Description
See the narrative boundary
description of the petitioned-for
viticultural area in the proposed
regulatory text published at the end of
this notice.
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Maps
The petitioner provided the required
maps, and TTB lists them below in the
proposed regulatory text.
Impact on Current Wine Labels
Part 4 of the TTB regulations prohibits
any label reference on a wine that
indicates or implies an origin other than
the wine’s true place of origin. If TTB
establishes this proposed viticultural
area, its name, ‘‘Ancient Lakes of
Columbia Valley,’’ will be recognized as
a name of viticultural significance under
27 CFR 4.39(i)(3). The text of the
proposed regulation clarifies this point.
Consequently, wine bottlers using
‘‘Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley’’ in
a brand name, including a trademark, or
in another label reference as to the
origin of the wine, will have to ensure
that the product is eligible to use the
viticultural area’s name as an
appellation of origin.
On the other hand, TTB does not
believe that any single part of the
proposed viticultural area name
standing alone, that is, ‘‘Ancient Lakes’’
or ‘‘Columbia Valley,’’ would have
viticultural significance in relation to
this proposed viticultural area because:
(1) According to Geographic Names
Information Service, the ‘‘Ancient
Lakes’’ area name refers to locations in
Oregon as well as Washington, so TTB
believes that a determination of
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‘‘Ancient Lakes’’ as a term of viticultural
significance could lead to consumer and
industry confusion and should be
avoided; and (2) ‘‘Columbia Valley,’’
standing alone, is locally and nationally
known as referring to the established
Columbia Valley viticultural area (27
CFR 9.74), which is already a term of
viticultural significance under 27 CFR
4.39(i)(3), which states that ‘‘[a] name
has viticultural significance * * * when
approved as a viticultural area * * *.’’
Therefore, the proposed part 9
regulatory text set forth in this
document specifies only ‘‘Ancient Lakes
of Columbia Valley’’ as a term of
viticultural significance for purposes of
part 4 of the TTB regulations.
For a wine to be eligible to use a
viticultural area name as an appellation
of origin or a term of viticultural
significance in a brand name, at least 85
percent of the wine must be derived
from grapes grown within the area
represented by that name or term, and
the wine must meet the other conditions
listed in 27 CFR 4.25(e)(3). If the wine
is not eligible to use the viticultural area
name as an appellation of origin and
that name or other term of viticultural
significance appears in the brand name,
then the label is not in compliance and
the bottler must change the brand name
and obtain approval of a new label.
Similarly, if the viticultural area name
or other term of viticultural significance
appears in another reference on the
label in a misleading manner, the bottler
would have to obtain approval of a new
label.
Different rules apply if a wine has a
brand name containing a viticultural
area name or other term of viticultural
significance that was used as a brand
name on a label approved before July 7,
1986. See 27 CFR 4.39(i)(2) for details.
Public Participation
Comments Invited
TTB invites comments from interested
members of the public on whether it
should establish the proposed
viticultural area. TTB is also interested
in receiving comments on the
sufficiency and accuracy of the name,
boundary, topography, soils, climate,
and other required information
submitted in support of the petition. In
addition, given the proposed Ancient
Lakes of Columbia Valley viticultural
area’s location within the existing
Columbia Valley viticultural area, TTB
is interested in comments on whether
the evidence submitted in the petition
regarding the distinguishing features of
the proposed viticultural area
sufficiently differentiates it from the
existing Columbia Valley viticultural
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27005
area. TTB is also interested in comments
whether the geographic features of the
proposed viticultural area are so
distinguishable from the surrounding
Columbia Valley viticultural area that
the proposed Ancient Lakes of
Columbia Valley viticultural area
should no longer be part of that
viticultural area. Please provide any
available specific information in
support of your comments.
Because of the potential impact of the
establishment of the proposed Ancient
Lakes of Columbia Valley viticultural
area on wine labels that include the
term ‘‘Ancient Lakes of Columbia
Valley’’ as discussed above under
Impact on Current Wine Labels, TTB is
particularly interested in comments
regarding whether there will be a
conflict between the proposed area
name and currently used brand names.
If a commenter believes that a conflict
will arise, the comment should describe
the nature of that conflict, including any
anticipated negative economic impact
that approval of the proposed
viticultural area will have on an existing
viticultural enterprise. TTB is also
interested in receiving suggestions for
ways to avoid conflicts, for example, by
adopting a modified or different name
for the viticultural area.
Submitting Comments
You may submit comments on this
notice by using one of the following
three methods:
• Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: You
may send comments via the online
comment form posted with this notice
within Docket No. TTB–2012–0003 on
‘‘Regulations.gov,’’ the Federal erulemaking portal, at https://
www.regulations.gov. A direct link to
that docket is available under Notice
No. 128 on the TTB Web site at
https://www.ttb.gov/wine/
wine_rulemaking.shtml. Supplemental
files may be attached to comments
submitted via Regulations.gov. For
complete instructions on how to use
Regulations.gov, visit the site and click
on the ‘‘Help’’ tab at the top of the page.
• U.S. Mail: You may send comments
via postal mail to the Director,
Regulations and Rulings Division,
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade
Bureau, P.O. Box 14412, Washington,
DC 20044–4412.
• Hand Delivery/Courier: You may
hand-carry your comments or have them
hand-carried to the Alcohol and
Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, 1310 G
Street NW., Suite 200E, Washington, DC
20005.
Please submit your comments by the
closing date shown above in this notice.
Your comments must reference Notice
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No. 128 and include your name and
mailing address. Your comments also
must be made in English, be legible, and
be written in language acceptable for
public disclosure. TTB does not
acknowledge receipt of comments, and
TTB considers all comments as
originals.
If you are commenting on behalf of an
association, business, or other entity,
your comment must include the entity’s
name as well as your name and position
title. If you comment via
Regulations.gov, please enter the
entity’s name in the ‘‘Organization’’
blank of the online comment form. If
you comment via postal mail or hand
delivery/courier, please submit your
entity’s comment on letterhead.
You may also write to the
Administrator before the comment
closing date to ask for a public hearing.
The Administrator reserves the right to
determine whether to hold a public
hearing.
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Confidentiality
All submitted comments and
attachments are part of the public record
and subject to disclosure. Do not
enclose any material in your comments
that you consider to be confidential or
inappropriate for public disclosure.
Public Disclosure
On the Federal e-rulemaking portal,
Regulations.gov, TTB will post, and you
may view, copies of this notice, selected
supporting materials, and any electronic
or mailed comments TTB receives about
this proposal. A direct link to that
docket is available on the TTB Web site
at https://www.ttb.gov/wine/
wine_rulemaking.shtml under Notice
No. 128. You may also reach the docket
containing this notice and the posted
comments received on it through the
Regulations.gov search page at https://
www.regulations.gov.
All posted comments will display the
commenter’s name, organization (if
any), city, and State, and, in the case of
mailed comments, all address
information, including email addresses.
TTB may omit voluminous attachments
or material that the Bureau considers
unsuitable for posting.
You may also view copies of this
notice, all related petitions, maps and
other supporting materials, and any
electronic or mailed comments that TTB
receives about this proposal by
appointment at the TTB Information
Resource Center, 1310 G Street NW.,
Washington, DC 20005. You may also
obtain copies at 20 cents per 8.5″ x 11″
page. Contact TTB’s information
specialist at the above address or by
telephone at 202–453–2270 to schedule
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16:36 May 07, 2012
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an appointment or to request copies of
comments or other materials.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
TTB certifies that this proposed
regulation, if adopted, would not have
a significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities.
The proposed regulation imposes no
new reporting, recordkeeping, or other
administrative requirement. Any benefit
derived from the use of a viticultural
area name would be the result of a
proprietor’s efforts and consumer
acceptance of wines from that area.
Therefore, no regulatory flexibility
analysis is required.
Executive Order 12866
This proposed rule is not a significant
regulatory action as defined by
Executive Order 12866. Therefore, no
regulatory assessment is required.
Drafting Information
Karen A. Thornton of the Regulations
and Rulings Division drafted this notice.
List of Subjects in 27 CFR Part 9
Wine.
Proposed Regulatory Amendment
For the reasons discussed in the
preamble, TTB proposes to amend title
27, chapter I, part 9, Code of Federal
Regulations, as follows:
PART 9—AMERICAN VITICULTURAL
AREAS
1. The authority citation for part 9
continues to read as follows:
Authority: 27 U.S.C. 205.
Subpart C—Approved American
Viticultural Areas
2. Subpart C is amended by adding
§ 9.ll to read as follows:
§ 9.ll
Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley.
(a) Name. The name of the viticultural
area described in this section is
‘‘Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley’’.
For purposes of part 4 of this chapter,
‘‘Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley’’ is
a term of viticultural significance.
(b) Approved maps. The 12 United
States Geological Survey (USGS)
1:24,000 scale topographic maps used to
determine the boundary of the Ancient
Lakes of Columbia Valley viticultural
area are titled:
(1) West Bar, Washington, 1966;
(2) Rock Island Dam, Washington,
1966;
(3) Appledale, Washington, 1966,
photoinspected 1976;
(4) Monument Hill, Washington—
Grant County, 1966;
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(5) Ephrata SW, Washington—Grant
County, 1956;
(6) Winchester, Washington—Grant
County, 1966;
(7) Winchester SW, Washington—
Grant County, 1966, photorevised 1978;
(8) Royal City, Washington—Grant
County, provisional edition 1986
(formerly named Smyrna);
(9) Beverly NE, Washington—Grant
County, 1965;
(10) Vantage, Washington, 1965,
photorevised 1978;
(11) Ginkgo, Washington, 1953,
photorevised 1978; and
(12) Cape Horn SE, Washington, 1966,
photoinspected 1975.
(c) Boundary. The Ancient Lakes of
Columbia Valley viticultural area is
located in Douglas, Grant, and Kittitas
Counties in central Washington. The
boundary of the Ancient Lakes of
Columbia Valley viticultural area is as
described below:
(1) The beginning point is on the West
Bar map where the western shoreline of
the Columbia River in Kittitas County
intersects with the north boundary line
of section 8, T20N/R22E. Proceed east
along the section boundaries for
approximately 4.35 miles, over the
Columbia River and into Douglas
County, to the intersection of the line
with the Grant and Douglas Counties
common boundary line (concurrent
with the R22E and R23E common line)
at the northwest corner of section 12,
T20N/R22E; then
(2) Proceed north along the Grant and
Douglas Counties common boundary
line for approximately 2.25 miles, onto
the Rock Island Dam map, to the
northwest corner of section 31, T21N/
R23E; then
(3) Proceed east in a straight line
along the section boundaries for
approximately 12.1 miles, over the
Appledale and Monument Hills maps,
onto the Ephrata SW map to the
intersection of the line with the R24E
and R25E common line at the northwest
corner of section 36, T21N/R24E; then
(4) Proceed south along the R24E and
R25E common line for approximately
22.5 miles, over the Winchester and
Winchester SW maps, onto the Royal
City map, passing over the West Canal
and into the Frenchman Hills, to the
southwest corner of section 12, T17N/
R24E (concurrent with the intersection
of the R24E and R25E common line and
a single transmission line); then
(5) Proceed west in a straight line
along the section boundaries (marked
for 3 sections by the single transmission
line) for approximately 4 miles, onto the
Beverly NE map, to the southwest
corner of section 9, T17N/R24E; then
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(6) Proceed north in a straight line
along the section boundary for
approximately 1 mile to the northwest
corner of section 9, T17N/R24E; then
(7) Proceed west in a straight line
along the section boundaries for
approximately 7.9 miles, onto the
Vantage map, crossing over Interstate
Route 90 and Columbia River, to the
western shoreline of the Columbia
River, at Hole in the Wall in Kittitas
County, section 6, T17N/R23E; and then
(8) Proceed north along the western
shoreline of the meandering Columbia
River for approximately 23.3 miles,
crossing over the Ginkgo and Cape Horn
SE maps, onto the West Bar map, and
returning to the beginning point.
Signed: April 30, 2012.
John J. Manfreda,
Administrator.
Public Participation and Request for
Comments
BILLING CODE 4810–31–P
We encourage you to participate in
this rulemaking by submitting
comments and related materials. All
comments received will be posted
without change to https://
www.regulations.gov and will include
any personal information you have
provided. We have an agreement with
the Department of Transportation (DOT)
to use the Docket Management Facility.
Please see DOT’s ‘‘Privacy Act’’
paragraph below.
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 162
[Docket No. USCG–2011–1086]
RIN 1625–AB84
Inland Waterways Navigation
Regulations
Submitting Comments
Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
AGENCY:
This proposed rule would
amend the inland waterways navigation
regulations. Specifically, this rule
proposes to redefine the geographical
points which currently demarcate an
area of the Detroit River in which
certain vessels are restricted to speeds
not greater than 12 statute miles per
hour (10.4 knots).
DATES: Comments and related materials
must reach the Coast Guard on or before
July 9, 2012.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
identified by docket number USCG–
2011–1086 to the Docket Management
Facility at the U.S. Department of
Transportation. To avoid duplication,
please use only one of the following
methods:
(1) Online: https://
www.regulations.gov.
(2) Mail: Docket Management Facility
(M–30), U.S. Department of
Transportation, West Building Ground
Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590–
0001.
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SUMMARY:
16:36 May 07, 2012
If
you have questions on this proposed
rule, call or email LT Adrian
Palomeque, Prevention Department,
Sector Detroit, Coast Guard; telephone
(313) 568–9508, email
Adrian.F.Palomeque@uscg.mil. If you
have questions on viewing or submitting
material to the docket, call Renee V.
Wright, Program Manager, Docket
Operations, telephone 202–366–9826.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
[FR Doc. 2012–11069 Filed 5–7–12; 8:45 am]
VerDate Mar<15>2010
(3) Hand delivery: Room W12–140 on
the Ground Floor of the West Building,
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,
Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. The telephone
number is 202–366–9329.
(4) Fax: 202–493–2251.
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If you submit a comment, please
include the docket number for this
rulemaking (USCG–2011–1086),
indicate the specific section of this
document to which each comment
applies, and give the reason for each
comment. We recommend that you
include your name and a mailing
address, an email address, or a phone
number in the body of your document
so that we can contact you if we have
questions regarding your submission.
You may submit your comments and
material by electronic means, mail, fax,
or delivery to the Docket Management
Facility at the address under ADDRESSES;
but please submit your comments and
material by only one means. If you
submit them by mail or delivery, submit
them in an unbound format, no larger
than 81⁄2 by 11 inches, suitable for
copying and electronic filing. If you
submit them by mail and would like to
know that they reached the Facility,
please enclose a stamped, self-addressed
postcard or envelope. We will consider
all comments and material received
during the comment period. We may
change this proposed rule in view of
them.
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Viewing Comments and Documents
To view comments, as well as
documents mentioned in this preamble
as being available in the docket, go to
https://www.regulations.gov at any time.
Enter the docket number for this
rulemaking (USCG–2011–1086) in the
‘‘Keyword’’ box, and click ‘‘Search.’’
You may also visit either the Docket
Management Facility in Room W12–140
on the ground floor of the DOT West
Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,
Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays; or the U.S.
Coast Guard Sector Detroit, 110 Mount
Elliott Avenue, Detroit, MI 48207,
between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Privacy Act
Anyone can search the electronic
form of all comments received into any
of our dockets by the name of the
individual submitting the comment (or
signing the comment, if submitted on
behalf of an association, business, labor
union, etc.). You may review the
Department of Transportation’s Privacy
Act Statement in the Federal Register
published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR
19477), or you may visit https://
DocketsInfo.dot.gov.
Public Meeting
We do not now plan to hold a public
meeting. But you may submit a request
for one to the Docket Management
Facility at the address under ADDRESSES
explaining why one would be
beneficial. If we determine that one
would aid this rulemaking, we will hold
one at a time and place announced by
a later notice in the Federal Register.
Basis and Purpose
Recently, representatives from the
Lake Carriers’ Association, the Lakes
Pilots Association, the International
Shipmasters Association, and the
Canadian Shipowners Association made
a request of the Coast Guard regarding
33 CFR part 162. Particularly, these
groups requested that the Coast Guard
amend, via federal rulemaking, 33 CFR
162.138(a)(1)(ii), which requires vessels
on the Detroit River north of the Detroit
River Light to operate at no more than
12 statute miles per hour. In response to
the request, the Coast Guard’s Ninth
District Commander, in consultation
with the Captain of the Port, Sector
Detroit, Windsor Port Authority,
Transport Canada, and the Canadian
Coast Guard, assessed the necessity and
utility of the aforementioned regulatory
provision and determined that the
southern point of the restricted speed
area in 33 CFR 162.138(a)(1)(ii) should
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 89 (Tuesday, May 8, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 27001-27007]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-11069]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau
27 CFR Part 9
[Docket No. TTB-2012-0003; Notice No. 128]
RIN 1513-AB85
Proposed Establishment of the Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley
Viticultural Area
AGENCY: Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, Treasury.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) proposes to
establish the 162,762-acre ``Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley''
viticultural area in Douglas, Grant, and Kittitas Counties in central
Washington. The proposed viticultural area lies within the larger
Columbia Valley viticultural area. TTB designates viticultural areas to
allow vintners to better describe the origin of their wines and to
allow consumers to better identify wines they may purchase. TTB invites
comments on this proposed addition to its regulations.
DATES: We must receive your comments on or before July 9, 2012.
ADDRESSES: Please send your comments on this notice to one of the
following addresses:
Internet: https://www.regulations.gov (via the online
comment form for this notice as posted within Docket No. TTB-2012-0003
at ``Regulations.gov,'' the Federal e-rulemaking portal);
U.S. Mail: Director, Regulations and Rulings Division,
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, P.O. Box 14412, Washington,
DC 20044-4412; or
Hand delivery/courier in lieu of mail: Alcohol and Tobacco
Tax and Trade Bureau, 1310 G Street NW., Suite 200E, Washington, DC
20005.
See the Public Participation section of this notice for specific
instructions and requirements for submitting comments, and for
information on how to request a public hearing.
You may view copies of this notice, selected supporting materials,
and any comments that TTB receives about this proposal at https://www.regulations.gov within Docket No. TTB-2012-0003. A link to that
docket is posted on the TTB Web site at https://www.ttb.gov/wine/wine_rulemaking.shtml under Notice No. 128. You also may view copies of this
notice, all related petitions, maps, or other supporting materials, and
any comments that TTB receives about this proposal by appointment at
the TTB Information Resource Center, 1310 G Street NW., Washington, DC
20005. Please call 202-453-2270 to make an appointment.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen A. Thornton, Regulations and
Rulings Division, Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, 1310 G St.
NW., Box 12, Washington, DC 20005; phone 202-453-1039, ext. 175.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background on Viticultural Areas
TTB Authority
Section 105(e) of the Federal Alcohol Administration Act (FAA Act),
27 U.S.C. 205(e), authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe
regulations for the labeling of wine, distilled spirits, and malt
beverages. The FAA Act provides that these regulations should, among
other things, prohibit consumer deception and the use of misleading
statements on labels, and ensure that labels provide the consumer with
adequate information as to the identity and quality of the product. The
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) administers the FAA Act
pursuant to section 1111(d) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002,
codified at 6 U.S.C. 531(d). The Secretary has delegated various
authorities through Treasury Department Order 120-01 (Revised), dated
January 21, 2003, to the TTB Administrator to perform the functions and
duties in the administration and enforcement of this law.
Part 4 of the TTB regulations (27 CFR part 4) allows the
establishment of definitive viticultural areas and the use of their
names as appellations of origin on wine labels and in wine
advertisements. Part 9 of the TTB regulations (27 CFR part 9) sets
forth standards for the preparation and submission of petitions for the
establishment or modification of American viticultural areas and lists
the approved American viticultural areas.
Definition
Section 4.25(e)(1)(i) of the TTB regulations (27 CFR 4.25(e)(1)(i))
defines a viticultural area for American wine as a delimited grape-
growing region having distinguishing features as described in part 9 of
the regulations and a name and a delineated boundary as established in
part 9 of the regulations. These designations allow vintners and
consumers to attribute a given quality, reputation, or other
characteristic of a wine made from grapes grown in an area to its
geographic origin. The establishment of viticultural areas allows
vintners to describe more accurately the origin of their wines to
consumers and helps consumers to identify wines they may purchase.
Establishment of a viticultural area is neither an approval nor an
endorsement by TTB of the wine produced in that area.
Requirements
Section 4.25(e)(2) of the TTB regulations outlines the procedure
for proposing an American viticultural area and provides that any
interested party may petition TTB to establish a grape-growing region
as a viticultural area. Section 9.12 of the TTB regulations (27 CFR
9.12) prescribes standards for petitions for the establishment or
modification of American viticultural areas. Such petitions must
include the following:
Evidence that the area within the proposed viticultural
area boundary is nationally or locally known by the viticultural area
name specified in the petition;
An explanation of the basis for defining the boundary of
the proposed viticultural area;
A narrative description of the features of the proposed
viticultural area that affect viticulture, such as climate, geology,
soils, physical features, and elevation, that make the proposed
viticultural area distinctive and distinguish it from adjacent areas
outside the proposed viticultural area boundary;
A copy of the appropriate United States Geological Survey
(USGS) map(s) showing the location of the proposed viticultural area,
with the boundary of
[[Page 27002]]
the proposed viticultural area clearly drawn thereon; and
A detailed narrative description of the proposed
viticultural area boundary based on USGS map markings.
Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley Petition
TTB received a petition from Joan R. Davenport, a professor of soil
sciences at Washington State University, and Cameron Fries of White
Heron Cellars, on behalf of the vintners and grape growers in the
Ancient Lakes region of central Washington, proposing the establishment
of the ``Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley'' viticultural area. The
proposed viticultural area contains 162,762 acres, 1,399 acres of which
are dedicated to commercially-producing vineyards. The petition states
that there are six wineries and six commercially-producing vineyards
located within the proposed viticultural area. The petition also
includes a map showing that the vineyards and wineries are dispersed
throughout the proposed viticultural area. According to the petition,
the distinguishing features of the proposed viticultural area include
its topography, soils, climate, and geology. Unless otherwise noted,
all information and data contained in the below sections concerning the
name, boundary, and distinguishing features of the proposed
viticultural area are from the petition for the proposed Ancient Lakes
of Columbia Valley viticultural area and its supporting exhibits.
TTB notes that the proposed Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley
viticultural area lies completely within the existing Columbia Valley
viticultural area (27 CFR 9.74). The proposed viticultural area does
not overlap with any other existing or proposed viticultural area.
Name Evidence
The USGS Babcock Ridge map shows the ``Ancient Lake'' place name
marking a cluster of three lakes located in the western half of the
proposed Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley viticultural area. According
to the USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS), the ``Ancient
Lake'' geographical name is also used for two other areas in Oregon.
Given the multiple locations with the same name, TTB requested that the
petitioners provide a geographical modifier to the ``Ancient Lakes''
name originally proposed by the petitioners. In response to TTB's
request, the petitioners changed the proposed viticultural area name to
``Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley'' to clarify the location of the
proposed viticultural area and avoid any potential confusion with any
other locations referred to as ``Ancient Lakes.'' Additionally, TTB
notes that GNIS shows no other area located within the Columbia Valley
region, including within the existing Columbia Valley viticultural
area, that is designated as ``Ancient Lake'' or ``Ancient Lakes.''
``Ancient Lakes'' is a name commonly used by local residents and
businesses for the general region near the cluster of three lakes
appearing on the Babcock Ridge map. The petitioners submitted a
newspaper article, area maps, and printed documentation of online news
articles that demonstrate such usage. The newspaper article concerned a
geological tour of the Quincy Valley and listed one of the tour stops
as the ``incised coulees of the Ancient Lakes area'' (``Geological
touring,'' Quincy Valley Post-Register, September 10, 2005). An online
news article on desert recreation in Washington State from the Web site
of The Oregonian newspaper is titled ``Ancient Lakes provide water for
wildlife in Washington's sagebrush desert'' (OregonLive.com, March 31,
2010). The Wenatchee Area Wine Trail Map denotes an area surrounding
several wineries as the ``Ancient Lakes Area.'' Also, a vacation guide
map of Grant County, Washington, designates a cluster of three lakes
within the proposed viticultural area as ``Ancient Lakes.''
The petition also includes a series of letters submitted by county
and State government officials, a Member of Congress, and businesses
within the general region of the proposed viticultural area, and area
winemakers that support both the establishment of the proposed
viticultural area and the use of the Ancient Lakes name.
Boundary Evidence
The proposed Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley viticultural area is
located within a bowl-shaped formation known as the Quincy Basin, which
lies within the larger Columbia Valley region of central Washington.
Most of the proposed viticultural area is within Grant County, with
small parts in Douglas and Kittitas Counties. The proposed Ancient
Lakes of Columbia Valley viticultural area is 12 miles from east-to-
west and 22 miles from north-to-south, according to USGS maps. The
Columbia River forms the western portion of the proposed boundary line.
The Babcock Bench and Babcock Ridge formations, which run north and
south along the eastern side of the river within the proposed
viticultural area, rise sharply before descending to the lower slopes
of the basin floor. The Potholes Coulee, a distinctive feature within
the proposed viticultural area, juts from the Babcock Bench into the
floor of the Quincy Basin. The coulee consists of two parallel, steep-
sided canyons running west to east, perpendicular to the Babcock Bench.
When viewed from above, the coulee has a horseshoe shape, with the
Babcock Bench forming the bottom of the horseshoe. The coulee is dotted
with lakes, including the cluster of three lakes identified as Ancient
Lake on the USGS Babcock Ridge map.
Two east-to-west mountain ranges, Beezley Hills and Frenchman
Hills, define the respective northern and southern edges of the Quincy
Basin. These ranges also form the north and south portions of the
boundary line of the proposed Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley
viticultural area.
The USGS maps show that the eastern portion of the proposed
boundary line closely follows the north-to-south Frenchman Hills
Wasteway. TTB notes that the wasteway is a manmade irrigation canal.
The proposed eastern boundary line is in the region where the Beezley
Hills begin to curve to the north and the Frenchman Hills begin to
curve to the south, pulling away from their basin-forming shape and
marking the eastern edge of the Quincy Basin.
The western portion of the proposed boundary line follows the
western shoreline of the Columbia River in Kittitas County. The
mountainous landscape to the west of the Columbia River (outside of the
proposed viticultural area) marks the western edge of the Quincy Basin.
Much of the land to the west of the Columbia River outside of the
proposed viticultural area is designated as a wildlife refuge by the
Washington State Department of Game and Wildlife, and, according to the
petitioners, is unlikely to be available for agricultural purposes.
Distinguishing Features
The distinguishing features of the proposed Ancient Lakes of
Columbia Valley viticultural area are topography, soils, and climate.
Topography
The proposed viticultural area is located within a distinctive
landform locally referred to as the Quincy Basin. The basin has
elevations lower than the surrounding area and slopes gently to the
east. As previously noted the foothills of the Beezley Mountains and
the Frenchman Hills form the northern and southern portions of the
proposed boundary. The foothills of the Beezley Hills within the
proposed viticultural area start at around 1,300 feet near the town of
Quincy and rise to around 1,600 feet at the northern portion of the
proposed boundary line. In the foothills
[[Page 27003]]
of the Frenchman Hills, the elevations begin around at 1,200 feet
within the proposed viticultural area and rise to 1,912 feet at the
peak marked Columbia on the USGS Vantage map, near the southern portion
of the proposed boundary line.
The floor of the basin comprises most of the proposed viticultural
area and is much flatter than most of the surrounding region. The
Babcock Bench, Babcock Ridge, and the Potholes Coulee provide the only
significant elevation changes and slope gradients within the basin. The
Babcock Bench begins as a narrow band of nearly flat land within the
proposed viticultural area, with an elevation of 570 feet at the edge
of the river, and quickly rises to the east to form a steep and rugged
terrain. At about the 1,100-foot elevation, the slopes of the Babcock
Bench become even steeper and higher, forming the Babcock Ridge, with
elevations up to 1,586 feet. A map submitted with the petition shows
slope gradients of 54 to 63 percent on the Babcock Ridge. The eastern
slopes of Babcock Ridge are less steep than the western slopes, with
slope gradients of approximately 27 percent, and descend to the lower
elevations of the Quincy Basin floor. The highest elevation on the
Potholes Coulee is a 1,328-foot peak on the rim. The three lakes
identified as Ancient Lake on the USGS map have an elevation of 821
feet at water level, which is one of the lowest elevations in the
coulee. The floor of the Quincy Basin has a nearly flat topography and
slopes downward gently and gradually towards the east from the Potholes
Coulee and Babcock Ridge, with a sloping gradient of less than 4
percent.
To the north of the proposed viticultural area, the slope gradient
is much steeper and the elevations are much higher. The Beezley Hills
rise from the foothills to an elevation of 2,882 feet at Monument Hill.
Slope gradients in the hills range from 27 to 54 percent, much steeper
than the floor of the Quincy Basin within the proposed viticultural
area.
To the east of the proposed viticultural area, the topography is
nearly flat, similar to the floor of the Quincy Basin within the
proposed viticultural area. However, the slight elevations of the
region to the east of the proposed viticultural area have mostly
western-facing slopes, in contrast to the mostly eastern-facing slopes
of the basin floor within the proposed viticultural area. The terrain
east of the proposed viticultural area also develops an upward slope
with a gradient of approximately 11 percent. The change in slope and
the increase in gradient mark the eastern edge of the Quincy Basin.
To the south of the proposed viticultural area are the Frenchman
Hills, which form the southern edge of the Quincy Basin. Outside of the
proposed viticultural area, the elevations of the Frenchman Hills begin
to descend from a height of around 1,740 feet, transitioning into the
feature known as the Royal Slope. The Royal Slope descends to
approximately 1,000 feet and has slope gradients ranging from 4 to 11
percent.
To the west of the Babcock Bench and Columbia River, beyond the
boundary of the proposed viticultural area, the terrain is rugged and
steep, with slope gradients of between 27 to 54 percent. Elevations in
this region start at 580 feet along the banks of the Columbia River and
quickly rise to 2,765 feet at a peak on the West Bar map.
Soils
The proposed Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley viticultural area
contains 65 soil types (United States Department of Agriculture-Natural
Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NCRS), https://datagateway.nrcs.usda.gov), with the most common 17 soils within the
proposed viticultural area covering 88 percent of the land surface. The
Ancient Lakes region soils are classified as Aridisols, which were
formed in arid conditions and have a low presence of organic matter.
Soils with low levels of organic matter are important in viticulture
because they release less nitrogen, resulting in less vigorous vine
growth and a more favorable fruit-to-canopy ratio.
The petition includes two tables that describe the soil composition
of the proposed Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley viticultural area and
the areas due north, east, south, and west. The first table lists the
seven most common soil series in the proposed viticultural area and the
percentage (and rank) of the series in areas due north, east, south,
and west. The second table lists the top five soil series in the areas
surrounding the proposed viticultural area. The tables show significant
contrasts in soils within and outside of the proposed Ancient Lakes of
Columbia Valley viticultural area.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Proposed
Soil viticultural North East South West
area
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quincy fine sand................ 18.49 (1) 0.71 (40) 36.5 (1) 7.41 (5) 0
Warden very fine sandy loam..... 11.65 (2) 0.07 (92) 0.11 (20) 0.42 (26) 0
Taunton silt loam and loamy fine 9.91 (3) 0 7.75 (4) 9.76 (3) 0
sand...........................
Scoon silt loam................. 8.92 (4) 0 1.76 (11) 7.55 (4) 0
Shano silt loam................. 6.63 (5) 0 0 3.69 (9) 0
Sagehill very fine sandy loam... 5.36 (6) 0 0.06 (22) 0.42 (25) 0
Adkins very fine sandy loam..... 3.36 (7) 0 0 4.76 (7) 0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rank North East South West
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.............. Toler ashy fine sandy Quincy fine sand...... Pits.................. Shin very cobbly ashy
loam. loam.
2.............. Esquatzel silt loam.... Malaga gravelly sandy Taunton silt loam and Argaback very cobbly
loam. loamy fine sand. loam.
3.............. Ritzville silt loam.... Timmerman coarse sandy Scoon silt loam....... Jumpe stony ashy loam.
loam.
4.............. Argaback very cobbly Taunton loamy fine Quincy fine sand...... Tekison stony loam.
loam. sand.
5.............. Bagdad silt loam....... Prosser very fine Adkins very fine sandy Malaga stony sandy
sandy loam. loam. loam.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To the north of the proposed Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley
viticultural area, the five most common northern soils are all
Mollisols, which have high levels of organic matter that can contribute
to more vigorous vine growth than the Aridisoils of the proposed
viticultural area. The most common northern soil series shows influence
[[Page 27004]]
from volcanic activity. Volcanic soils tend to have water repellant
characteristics and provide irrigation challenges.
To the east, Quincy fine sand and Taunton loamy fine sand are two
of the five most common soils, similar to the proposed Ancient Lakes of
Columbia Valley viticultural area. However, there are fewer soil types
to the east than within the proposed viticultural area, and a higher
percentage of the soils to the east are sandy soils. Soils high in sand
have lower water holding capacities than less sandy soils.
To the south, all of the seven most common soils in the Ancient
Lakes region are present; however, these soils account for only 24.72
percent of the soil composition. Schawana complex soils, which are not
present within the proposed viticultural area, are the most dominant in
the area to the south of the proposed viticultural area, comprising
15.43 percent of the soils. Schawana complex soils are described as
very weakly developed soils with very shallow depths that are not
particularly well suited for viticulture.
The region to the west contains none of the seven most common soils
found within the proposed viticultural area. Two of the most common
soils to the west are of volcanic origin, as indicated by the presence
of ash. These soils, like the volcanic soils to the north of the
proposed viticultural area, have low water holding capacities. The most
common soils to the west also contain large quantities of stones and
cobbles, which also have low water holding capacity.
Climate
The petition provides climatic data for the proposed Ancient Lakes
of Columbia Valley viticultural area and the surrounding areas,
including annual precipitation averages in inches, growing degree day
(GDD) units,\1\ and the number of consecutive days during which GDD
accumulation was not interrupted by a day when the temperature did not
exceed 50 degrees Fahrenheit (F). A base temperature of 50 degrees F is
used because that is the base temperature used for calculating growing
degree days. TTB notes that a continuous span of GDD unit accumulation
contributes to consistent grape growth and achieving maturity before
the onset of freezing temperatures.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ In the Winkler climatic classification system, annual heat
accumulation during the growing season, measured in annual GDD,
defines climatic regions. One GDD accumulates for each degree
Fahrenheit that a day's mean temperature is above 50 degrees, the
minimum temperature required for grapevine growth (``General
Viticulture,'' by Albert J. Winkler, University of California Press,
1974, pages 61-64.)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The table below was derived from the data contained in the
petition. The petition uses long-term weather station data from the
Quincy (within the proposed viticultural area), Wenatchee (to the
north), and Moses Lake (to the east) sites; 2009-10 data from the Royal
City West (to the south) site; \2\ and 2007-2010 data from the
Wenatchee Heights (to the west) site \3\ (the Washington Agricultural
Weather Network Version 2.0, WSU Prosser, www.weather.wsu.edu).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ According to the petitioner, the Royal City West weather
station went online in December 2008. The data included in the
tables is for the only two complete years available from that
station.
\3\ According to the petitioner, the Wenatchee Heights weather
station data is only available from 2006. The data included in the
tables is for the only four complete years available from that
station.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Proposed
Location viticultural North East South West
area
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Precipitation in inches......... 6.49 10 7 7.03 8.18
GDD units....................... 2,570 2,640 2,551 2,784 2,169
Number of continuous GDD days... 182 186 175 153 152
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The data in the table above show that the climate within the
proposed Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley viticultural area is
distinguishable from the climate in surrounding areas. The area to the
north of the proposed viticultural area has more precipitation, more
GDD units, and more continuous GDD unit days. The area to the east is
cooler, as shown by fewer GDD units and a shorter period of GDD unit
days. The area to the south has a greater fluctuation in growing season
temperatures than the proposed viticultural area; although daytime
temperatures climb high enough above 50 degrees F to achieve a high
total number of GDD units, temperatures also drop below 50 degrees F
frequently enough to result in a shorter number of continuous GDD unit
days. The area to the west receives more precipitation than the
proposed viticultural area and is cooler, with fewer GDD units and a
shorter period of continuous GDD unit days.
Comparison of the Proposed Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley to the
Existing Columbia Valley Viticultural Area
The proposed Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley viticultural area
lies entirely within, and is approximately 0.01 percent the size of,
the Columbia Valley viticultural area. The 11.6 million acre Columbia
Valley viticultural area was established by T.D. ATF-190, which
published in the Federal Register (49 FR 44895) on November 13, 1984.
T.D. ATF-190 describes the Columbia Valley as a large, treeless basin
surrounding the Yakima, Snake, and Columbia Rivers in portions of
Washington and Oregon. The topography of the Columbia Valley
viticultural area was described as a rolling terrain, cut by rivers and
broken by long, sloping, basaltic, east-west uplifts. In addition, T.D.
ATF-190 states that the Columbia Valley viticultural area is dominated
by major rivers and has a long, dry growing season characterized by an
average growing season of 150 days or more; 2,000 GDD units or more;
and 15 inches of rainfall or less annually.
The information submitted in the petition shows that the smaller
proposed Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley viticultural area generally
has a climate that fits within the climate range of the larger Columbia
Valley viticultural area as described in T.D. ATF-190, with low annual
precipitation, a growing season of 180 days, and 2,570 GDD units.
However, TTB notes that the relatively uniform distinguishing features
of the smaller proposed Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley viticultural
area contrast to the more varied topography, soils, and climate of the
expansive Columbia Valley viticultural area.
Like the Columbia Valley viticultural area, the proposed Ancient
Lakes of Columbia Valley viticultural area is also a basin, ringed by
the steep slopes of the Beezley Hills, the Babcock Bench, and the
Frenchman Hills. However, the Columbia Valley viticultural area is
marked by three major rivers, whereas
[[Page 27005]]
the water features of the proposed Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley
viticultural area include many small lakes and two manmade irrigation
canals; the only major river in the proposed Ancient Lakes of Columbia
Valley viticultural area is the Columbia River, which forms the western
portion of the proposed boundary line. Additionally, the soil
information provided in the petition for the proposed Ancient Lakes of
Columbia Valley viticultural area shows that although the soil types
found within the proposed boundary are present to some extent in the
surrounding areas, they do not occur with the same frequency as within
the proposed viticultural area.
TTB Determination
TTB concludes that the petition to establish the 162,762-acre
Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley viticultural area merits consideration
and public comment, as invited in this notice.
Boundary Description
See the narrative boundary description of the petitioned-for
viticultural area in the proposed regulatory text published at the end
of this notice.
Maps
The petitioner provided the required maps, and TTB lists them below
in the proposed regulatory text.
Impact on Current Wine Labels
Part 4 of the TTB regulations prohibits any label reference on a
wine that indicates or implies an origin other than the wine's true
place of origin. If TTB establishes this proposed viticultural area,
its name, ``Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley,'' will be recognized as a
name of viticultural significance under 27 CFR 4.39(i)(3). The text of
the proposed regulation clarifies this point. Consequently, wine
bottlers using ``Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley'' in a brand name,
including a trademark, or in another label reference as to the origin
of the wine, will have to ensure that the product is eligible to use
the viticultural area's name as an appellation of origin.
On the other hand, TTB does not believe that any single part of the
proposed viticultural area name standing alone, that is, ``Ancient
Lakes'' or ``Columbia Valley,'' would have viticultural significance in
relation to this proposed viticultural area because: (1) According to
Geographic Names Information Service, the ``Ancient Lakes'' area name
refers to locations in Oregon as well as Washington, so TTB believes
that a determination of ``Ancient Lakes'' as a term of viticultural
significance could lead to consumer and industry confusion and should
be avoided; and (2) ``Columbia Valley,'' standing alone, is locally and
nationally known as referring to the established Columbia Valley
viticultural area (27 CFR 9.74), which is already a term of
viticultural significance under 27 CFR 4.39(i)(3), which states that
``[a] name has viticultural significance * * * when approved as a
viticultural area * * *.'' Therefore, the proposed part 9 regulatory
text set forth in this document specifies only ``Ancient Lakes of
Columbia Valley'' as a term of viticultural significance for purposes
of part 4 of the TTB regulations.
For a wine to be eligible to use a viticultural area name as an
appellation of origin or a term of viticultural significance in a brand
name, at least 85 percent of the wine must be derived from grapes grown
within the area represented by that name or term, and the wine must
meet the other conditions listed in 27 CFR 4.25(e)(3). If the wine is
not eligible to use the viticultural area name as an appellation of
origin and that name or other term of viticultural significance appears
in the brand name, then the label is not in compliance and the bottler
must change the brand name and obtain approval of a new label.
Similarly, if the viticultural area name or other term of viticultural
significance appears in another reference on the label in a misleading
manner, the bottler would have to obtain approval of a new label.
Different rules apply if a wine has a brand name containing a
viticultural area name or other term of viticultural significance that
was used as a brand name on a label approved before July 7, 1986. See
27 CFR 4.39(i)(2) for details.
Public Participation
Comments Invited
TTB invites comments from interested members of the public on
whether it should establish the proposed viticultural area. TTB is also
interested in receiving comments on the sufficiency and accuracy of the
name, boundary, topography, soils, climate, and other required
information submitted in support of the petition. In addition, given
the proposed Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley viticultural area's
location within the existing Columbia Valley viticultural area, TTB is
interested in comments on whether the evidence submitted in the
petition regarding the distinguishing features of the proposed
viticultural area sufficiently differentiates it from the existing
Columbia Valley viticultural area. TTB is also interested in comments
whether the geographic features of the proposed viticultural area are
so distinguishable from the surrounding Columbia Valley viticultural
area that the proposed Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley viticultural
area should no longer be part of that viticultural area. Please provide
any available specific information in support of your comments.
Because of the potential impact of the establishment of the
proposed Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley viticultural area on wine
labels that include the term ``Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley'' as
discussed above under Impact on Current Wine Labels, TTB is
particularly interested in comments regarding whether there will be a
conflict between the proposed area name and currently used brand names.
If a commenter believes that a conflict will arise, the comment should
describe the nature of that conflict, including any anticipated
negative economic impact that approval of the proposed viticultural
area will have on an existing viticultural enterprise. TTB is also
interested in receiving suggestions for ways to avoid conflicts, for
example, by adopting a modified or different name for the viticultural
area.
Submitting Comments
You may submit comments on this notice by using one of the
following three methods:
Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: You may send comments via the
online comment form posted with this notice within Docket No. TTB-2012-
0003 on ``Regulations.gov,'' the Federal e-rulemaking portal, at https://www.regulations.gov. A direct link to that docket is available under
Notice No. 128 on the TTB Web site at https://www.ttb.gov/wine/wine_rulemaking.shtml. Supplemental files may be attached to comments
submitted via Regulations.gov. For complete instructions on how to use
Regulations.gov, visit the site and click on the ``Help'' tab at the
top of the page.
U.S. Mail: You may send comments via postal mail to the
Director, Regulations and Rulings Division, Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and
Trade Bureau, P.O. Box 14412, Washington, DC 20044-4412.
Hand Delivery/Courier: You may hand-carry your comments or
have them hand-carried to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau,
1310 G Street NW., Suite 200E, Washington, DC 20005.
Please submit your comments by the closing date shown above in this
notice. Your comments must reference Notice
[[Page 27006]]
No. 128 and include your name and mailing address. Your comments also
must be made in English, be legible, and be written in language
acceptable for public disclosure. TTB does not acknowledge receipt of
comments, and TTB considers all comments as originals.
If you are commenting on behalf of an association, business, or
other entity, your comment must include the entity's name as well as
your name and position title. If you comment via Regulations.gov,
please enter the entity's name in the ``Organization'' blank of the
online comment form. If you comment via postal mail or hand delivery/
courier, please submit your entity's comment on letterhead.
You may also write to the Administrator before the comment closing
date to ask for a public hearing. The Administrator reserves the right
to determine whether to hold a public hearing.
Confidentiality
All submitted comments and attachments are part of the public
record and subject to disclosure. Do not enclose any material in your
comments that you consider to be confidential or inappropriate for
public disclosure.
Public Disclosure
On the Federal e-rulemaking portal, Regulations.gov, TTB will post,
and you may view, copies of this notice, selected supporting materials,
and any electronic or mailed comments TTB receives about this proposal.
A direct link to that docket is available on the TTB Web site at https://www.ttb.gov/wine/wine_rulemaking.shtml under Notice No. 128. You may
also reach the docket containing this notice and the posted comments
received on it through the Regulations.gov search page at https://www.regulations.gov.
All posted comments will display the commenter's name, organization
(if any), city, and State, and, in the case of mailed comments, all
address information, including email addresses. TTB may omit voluminous
attachments or material that the Bureau considers unsuitable for
posting.
You may also view copies of this notice, all related petitions,
maps and other supporting materials, and any electronic or mailed
comments that TTB receives about this proposal by appointment at the
TTB Information Resource Center, 1310 G Street NW., Washington, DC
20005. You may also obtain copies at 20 cents per 8.5 x
11 page. Contact TTB's information specialist at the above
address or by telephone at 202-453-2270 to schedule an appointment or
to request copies of comments or other materials.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
TTB certifies that this proposed regulation, if adopted, would not
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small
entities. The proposed regulation imposes no new reporting,
recordkeeping, or other administrative requirement. Any benefit derived
from the use of a viticultural area name would be the result of a
proprietor's efforts and consumer acceptance of wines from that area.
Therefore, no regulatory flexibility analysis is required.
Executive Order 12866
This proposed rule is not a significant regulatory action as
defined by Executive Order 12866. Therefore, no regulatory assessment
is required.
Drafting Information
Karen A. Thornton of the Regulations and Rulings Division drafted
this notice.
List of Subjects in 27 CFR Part 9
Wine.
Proposed Regulatory Amendment
For the reasons discussed in the preamble, TTB proposes to amend
title 27, chapter I, part 9, Code of Federal Regulations, as follows:
PART 9--AMERICAN VITICULTURAL AREAS
1. The authority citation for part 9 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 27 U.S.C. 205.
Subpart C--Approved American Viticultural Areas
2. Subpart C is amended by adding Sec. 9.---- to read as follows:
Sec. 9.---- Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley.
(a) Name. The name of the viticultural area described in this
section is ``Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley''. For purposes of part 4
of this chapter, ``Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley'' is a term of
viticultural significance.
(b) Approved maps. The 12 United States Geological Survey (USGS)
1:24,000 scale topographic maps used to determine the boundary of the
Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley viticultural area are titled:
(1) West Bar, Washington, 1966;
(2) Rock Island Dam, Washington, 1966;
(3) Appledale, Washington, 1966, photoinspected 1976;
(4) Monument Hill, Washington--Grant County, 1966;
(5) Ephrata SW, Washington--Grant County, 1956;
(6) Winchester, Washington--Grant County, 1966;
(7) Winchester SW, Washington--Grant County, 1966, photorevised
1978;
(8) Royal City, Washington--Grant County, provisional edition 1986
(formerly named Smyrna);
(9) Beverly NE, Washington--Grant County, 1965;
(10) Vantage, Washington, 1965, photorevised 1978;
(11) Ginkgo, Washington, 1953, photorevised 1978; and
(12) Cape Horn SE, Washington, 1966, photoinspected 1975.
(c) Boundary. The Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley viticultural
area is located in Douglas, Grant, and Kittitas Counties in central
Washington. The boundary of the Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley
viticultural area is as described below:
(1) The beginning point is on the West Bar map where the western
shoreline of the Columbia River in Kittitas County intersects with the
north boundary line of section 8, T20N/R22E. Proceed east along the
section boundaries for approximately 4.35 miles, over the Columbia
River and into Douglas County, to the intersection of the line with the
Grant and Douglas Counties common boundary line (concurrent with the
R22E and R23E common line) at the northwest corner of section 12, T20N/
R22E; then
(2) Proceed north along the Grant and Douglas Counties common
boundary line for approximately 2.25 miles, onto the Rock Island Dam
map, to the northwest corner of section 31, T21N/R23E; then
(3) Proceed east in a straight line along the section boundaries
for approximately 12.1 miles, over the Appledale and Monument Hills
maps, onto the Ephrata SW map to the intersection of the line with the
R24E and R25E common line at the northwest corner of section 36, T21N/
R24E; then
(4) Proceed south along the R24E and R25E common line for
approximately 22.5 miles, over the Winchester and Winchester SW maps,
onto the Royal City map, passing over the West Canal and into the
Frenchman Hills, to the southwest corner of section 12, T17N/R24E
(concurrent with the intersection of the R24E and R25E common line and
a single transmission line); then
(5) Proceed west in a straight line along the section boundaries
(marked for 3 sections by the single transmission line) for
approximately 4 miles, onto the Beverly NE map, to the southwest corner
of section 9, T17N/R24E; then
[[Page 27007]]
(6) Proceed north in a straight line along the section boundary for
approximately 1 mile to the northwest corner of section 9, T17N/R24E;
then
(7) Proceed west in a straight line along the section boundaries
for approximately 7.9 miles, onto the Vantage map, crossing over
Interstate Route 90 and Columbia River, to the western shoreline of the
Columbia River, at Hole in the Wall in Kittitas County, section 6,
T17N/R23E; and then
(8) Proceed north along the western shoreline of the meandering
Columbia River for approximately 23.3 miles, crossing over the Ginkgo
and Cape Horn SE maps, onto the West Bar map, and returning to the
beginning point.
Signed: April 30, 2012.
John J. Manfreda,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2012-11069 Filed 5-7-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4810-31-P
