Opportunity for Designation in the Washington Area; Request for Comments on the Official Agency Servicing This Area, 30819 [2017-13879]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 126 (Monday, July 3, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Page 30819]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-13879]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration


Opportunity for Designation in the Washington Area; Request for 
Comments on the Official Agency Servicing This Area

AGENCY: Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The designation of the official agency listed below will end 
on December 31, 2017. We are asking persons or governmental agencies 
interested in providing official services in the areas presently served 
by this agency to submit an application for designation. In addition, 
we are asking for comments on the quality of services provided by the 
following designated agency: Washington Department of Agriculture 
(Washington).

DATES: Applications and comments must be received by August 2, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Submit applications and comments concerning this Notice 
using any of the following methods:
     Applying for Designation on the Internet: Use FGISonline 
(https://fgis.gipsa.usda.gov/default_home_FGIS.aspx) and then click on 
the Delegations/Designations and Export Registrations (DDR) link. You 
will need to obtain an FGISonline customer number and USDA 
eAuthentication username and password prior to applying.
     Submit Comments Using the Internet: Go to Regulations.gov 
(https://www.regulations.gov). Instructions for submitting and reading 
comments are detailed on the site.
     Mail, Courier or Hand Delivery: Sharon Lathrop, Compliance 
Officer, USDA, GIPSA, FGIS, QACD, 10383 North Ambassador Drive, Kansas 
City, MO 64153.
     Fax: Sharon Lathrop, 816-872-1257.
     Email: FGIS.QACD@usda.gov.
    Read Applications and Comments: All applications and comments will 
be available for public inspection at the office above during regular 
business hours (7 CFR 1.27(c)).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sharon Lathrop, (816) 891-0415 or 
FGIS.QACD@usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 7(f) of the United States Grain 
Standards Act (USGSA) authorizes the Secretary to designate a qualified 
applicant to provide official services in a specified area after 
determining that the applicant is better able than any other applicant 
to provide such official services (7 U.S.C. 79(f)). Under section 7(g) 
of the USGSA, designations of official agencies are effective for no 
longer than five years, unless terminated by the Secretary, and may be 
renewed according to the criteria and procedures prescribed in section 
79(f) of the USGSA.

Areas Open for Designation

Washington

    Pursuant to Section 7(f)(2) of the United States Grain Standards 
Act, the following geographic areas in the States of Idaho, Oregon, and 
Washington are assigned to this official agency.
In Idaho
    The northern half of the State of Idaho down to the northern 
boundaries of Adams, Valley, and Lemhi Counties.
In Oregon
    The entire State of Oregon, except those export port locations 
within the State, which are serviced by GIPSA.
In Washington
    The entire State of Washington, except those export port locations 
within the State, which are serviced by Washington.

Opportunity for Designation

    Interested persons or governmental agencies may apply for 
designation to provide official services in the geographic areas 
specified above under the provisions of section 7(f) of the USGSA and 7 
CFR 800.196. Designation in the specified geographic areas in Idaho, 
Oregon, and Washington is for the period beginning January 1, 2018, to 
December 31, 2022. To apply for designation or to request more 
information, contact Sharon Lathrop at the address listed above.

Request for Comments

    We are publishing this notice to provide interested persons the 
opportunity to comment on the quality of services provided by the 
Washington official agency. In the designation process, we are 
particularly interested in receiving comments citing reasons and 
pertinent data supporting or objecting to the designation of the 
applicant. Submit all comments to Sharon Lathrop at the above address 
or at https://www.regulations.gov.
    We consider applications, comments, and other available information 
when determining which applicants will be designated.

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

Randall D. Jones,
Acting Administrator, Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards 
Administration.
[FR Doc. 2017-13879 Filed 6-30-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-KD-P