Proposed Establishment of the Lower Long Tom Viticultural Area, 67475-67480 [2020-22603]

Agencies

• Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau
• DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 206 (Friday, October 23, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 67475-67480]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-22603]



[[Page 67475]]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau

27 CFR Part 9

[Docket No. TTB-2020-0012; Notice No. 197]
RIN 1513-AC64


Proposed Establishment of the Lower Long Tom 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 approximately 25,000-acre ``Lower Long Tom'' viticultural 
area in portions of Lane and Benton Counties in Oregon. The proposed 
viticultural area lies entirely within the existing Willamette 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: Comments must be received by December 22, 2020.

ADDRESSES: You may electronically submit comments to TTB on this 
proposal, and view copies of this document, its supporting materials, 
and any comments TTB receives on it within Docket No. TTB-2020-0012 as 
posted on Regulations.gov (https://www.regulations.gov), the Federal e-
rulemaking portal. Please see the ``Public Participation'' section of 
this document below for full details on how to comment on this proposal 
via Regulations.gov or U.S. mail, and for full details on how to obtain 
copies of this document, its supporting materials, and any comments 
related to this proposal.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen A. Thornton, Regulations and 
Rulings Division, Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, 1310 G 
Street 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 Order 120-01, dated December 10, 2013 
(superseding Treasury Order 120-01, dated January 24, 2003), to the TTB 
Administrator to perform the functions and duties in the administration 
and enforcement of these provisions.
    Part 4 of the TTB regulations (27 CFR part 4) authorizes TTB to 
establish definitive viticultural areas and regulate 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 (AVAs) and 
lists the approved AVAs.

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 the 
wine's geographic origin. The establishment of AVAs allows vintners to 
describe more accurately the origin of their wines to consumers and 
helps consumers to identify wines they may purchase. Establishment of 
an AVA 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 (27 CFR 4.25(e)(2)) 
outlines the procedure for proposing an AVA and provides that any 
interested party may petition TTB to establish a grape-growing region 
as an AVA. Section 9.12 of the TTB regulations (27 CFR 9.12) prescribes 
the standards for petitions for the establishment or modification of 
AVAs. Petitions to establish an AVA must include the following:
     Evidence that the area within the proposed AVA boundary is 
nationally or locally known by the AVA name specified in the petition;
     An explanation of the basis for defining the boundary of 
the proposed AVA;
     A narrative description of the features of the proposed 
AVA affecting viticulture, such as climate, geology, soils, physical 
features, and elevation, that make the proposed AVA distinctive and 
distinguish it from adjacent areas outside the proposed AVA;
     The appropriate United States Geological Survey (USGS) 
map(s) showing the location of the proposed AVA, with the boundary of 
the proposed AVA clearly drawn thereon;
     If the proposed AVA is to be established within, or 
overlapping, an existing AVA, an explanation that both identifies the 
attributes of the proposed AVA that are consistent with the existing 
AVA and explains how the proposed AVA is sufficiently distinct from the 
existing AVA and therefore appropriate for separate recognition; and
     A detailed narrative description of the proposed AVA 
boundary based on USGS map markings.

Lower Long Tom Petition

    TTB received a petition from Dieter Boehm, owner of High Pass 
Vineyard and Winery, proposing the establishment of the approximately 
25,000-acre ``Lower Long Tom'' AVA in portions of Lane and Benton 
Counties in Oregon. The proposed Lower Long Tom AVA lies entirely 
within the established Willamette Valley AVA (27 CFR 9.90) and does not 
overlap any other existing or proposed AVA. Within the proposed AVA are 
10 wineries and 22 commercially-producing vineyards that cover a total 
of approximately 492 acres.
    The distinguishing features of the proposed Lower Long Tom AVA are 
its topography, soils, and climate. Unless otherwise noted, all 
information and data pertaining to the proposed AVA contained in this 
document are from the petition for the proposed Lower Long Tom AVA and 
its supporting exhibits.

Name Evidence

    The proposed Lower Long Tom AVA takes its name from the Long Tom 
River, which runs along the eastern boundary of the proposed AVA. 
According to the petition, the origin of the river's name is uncertain, 
but it is likely a poor phonetical adaptation of the native name for 
the river, ``Lama Tum Buff.'' The petition included several examples of 
the use of ``Long Tom'' within the region of the proposed AVA, 
including the Long Tom Grange, an organization which serves farmers and 
their

[[Page 67476]]

communities in the region of the proposed AVA. The grange also 
organizes the Long Tom Country Trail, where ``visitors can discover the 
beauty and the bounty of the Long Tom River watershed.'' \1\ The Long 
Tom Watershed Council \2\ works to improve the water quality of the 
Long Tom River and its watershed, including the region within the 
proposed AVA.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Turner, David. Along the Long Tom River (Junction City, OR: 
Paw Print, 2017), page 112.
    \2\ www.longtom.org.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The petitioner proposed the name ``Lower Long Tom'' to 
differentiate the region of the proposed AVA from the region closer to 
the headwaters of the Long Tom River. The ``lower'' portion of the 
river is defined as the portion that flows from Fern Ridge Lake to the 
Willamette River, as shown in a map in the book Along the Long Tom 
River which was included in the petition.\3\ A 2016 public meeting 
notice from the Long Tom Watershed Council uses a similar definition of 
the lower portion of the river, stating that the council received 
funding to ``improve the function and habitat of the lower [sic] Long 
Tom River from the Fern Ridge Dam downstream to the Willamette River.'' 
\4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ Turner, Along the Long Tom River, page 3.
    \4\ https://www.longtom.org/nov-29-publilc-meeting-lower-long-tom-river-habitat-improvement-plan.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Other reports from the Long Tom Watershed Council also use the term 
``Lower Long Tom'' to refer to the region of the proposed AVA. For 
example, in its 2005 conservation strategy report, the Council states, 
``Fluvial cutthroat trout migrate from the Willamette to streams in the 
lower Long Tom for spawning, juvenile rearing, and refuge.'' \5\ 
Another example of name usage from the Council's website is a web page 
titled ``Lower Long Tom River Habitat Enhancement Project Homepage,'' 
\6\ which describes watershed improvement projects in the Lower Long 
Tom region. One such project is described as ``Lower Long Tom Riparian 
Enhancement at Stroda's,'' \7\ which involved planting native trees and 
removing invasive plant species at the Stroda Brothers' Farm. TTB notes 
that the address for Stroda Brother's Farm is within the proposed 
AVA.\8\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ https://www.longtom.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Conservation-Strategy-with-maps-goals.pdf, page 5.
    \6\ longtom.org/lowerlongtom/.
    \7\ longtom.org/lower-long-tom-riparian-enhancement-at-strodas.
    \8\ https://www.chamberofcommerce.com/monroe-or/pumpkin-patches/32703953-stroda-brothers-farm.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Other examples of the use of the term ``Lower Long Tom'' to 
describe the region of the proposed AVA are found in descriptions of 
the pioneer families along the river. For example, the book Along the 
Long Tom River also notes that early settlers to the area made their 
farms ``[i]n the Lower Long Tom area, downstream from the confluences 
of Spencer and Coyote Creeks * * *.'' \9\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ Turner, Along the Long Tom River, page 39.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Boundary Evidence

    The proposed Lower Long Tom AVA is located in the southern portion 
of the existing Willamette Valley AVA, approximately 20 miles northwest 
of the city of Eugene, Oregon, and approximately the same distance 
south of the city of Corvallis, Oregon. The Long Tom River and its 
valley are adjacent to the eastern boundary of the proposed AVA. The 
northern boundary follows the Benton-Lane County line and a series of 
creeks to separate the proposed AVA from the flatter, lower elevations 
of the Willamette Valley. The eastern boundary of the proposed AVA 
primarily follows the 360-foot elevation contour to separate the 
rolling hills of the proposed AVA from the flatter river valley lands. 
The southern boundary follows a series of section lines to separate the 
proposed AVA from Fern Ridge Lake, which marks the southern limit of 
the portion of the Long Tom River referred to as the Lower Long Tom. 
The western boundary follows the 1,000-foot elevation contour to 
separate the proposed AVA from the higher, steeper elevations of the 
Coast Range.

Distinguishing Features

    The distinguishing features of the proposed Lower Long Tom AVA are 
its topography, soils, and climate.
Topography
    The topography of the proposed Lower Long Tom AVA is characterized 
by chains of rolling hills separated by west-east trending valleys that 
were cut by the tributaries of the Long Tom River. According to the 
petition, the ridges of the hills rise to approximately 1,000 feet in 
the western portion of the proposed AVA and descend to approximately 
550 feet before dropping to the Willamette Valley floor, which is to 
the north and east of the proposed AVA. The majority of vineyards 
within the proposed AVA are planted at elevations between 450 and 650 
feet. The steepest slope angles are about 45 percent, with the average 
slope angle being about 20 percent.
    As previously stated, the high, rugged elevations of the Coast 
Range are to the west of the proposed AVA. To the north of the proposed 
AVA, the elevations descend to the floor of the Willamette Valley. To 
the immediate east of the proposed AVA is the lower, flatter valley of 
the Long Tom River. Farther east is the Willamette Valley floor. To the 
south of the proposed AVA are lower hills, the watershed of the upper 
Long Tom River, and Fern Ridge Lake.
Soils
    The most common soils within the proposed Lower Long Tom AVA are 
Bellpine and Bellpine/Jory complex. Loess soils, which are common 
elsewhere in the Willamette Valley AVA, are not present in the proposed 
AVA. Bellpine soil is the most common soil in the Lane County portion 
of the proposed AVA. It is derived from decomposed sedimentary marine 
uplift over a sandstone or siltstone substrate and is described as a 
well-drained soil with a depth of 20-36 inches. According to the 
petition, the low water-holding capacity of Bellpine soils creates 
stress on the vines that fosters ripening of the fruit. The relatively 
shallow depth of the soil also forces roots deep into the substrate for 
nutrients and water. The petition states that when grapevine roots come 
into contact with the substrate, the nutrients and minerals in the 
substrate influence the tannin structure and ageability of the wines 
produced from those grapes. Moving north into the Benton County portion 
of the proposed AVA, the soils transition to the Bellpine/Jory complex. 
This soil combines sedimentary and volcanic components and has a 
slightly greater water-holding capacity and slightly greater depth than 
Bellpine soil. Other minor soils found throughout the proposed Lower 
Long Tom AVA include Dupee, Nekia, Willakenzie, and Hazelair soils.
    To the north of the proposed AVA, the soils are predominately Jory 
soils. These soils are derived from volcanic sources and are deeper and 
more fertile than Bellpine or Bellpine/Jory complex soils. Jory soils 
also have a greater water-holding capacity than either of the primary 
soil types of the proposed Lower Long Tom AVA. To the east of the 
proposed AVA, the soils are described as deep alluvial river bottom 
soils with higher fertility levels and greater water-holding capacity 
than the soils of the proposed AVA. According to the petition, the 
higher fertility of alluvial soils can promote excessive vegetation 
growth in grapevines. The region to the south of the proposed AVA 
contains mostly Bellpine soils, like the proposed AVA, but without the 
Bellpine/Jory complex. To the west of the proposed AVA, the predominate 
soils are of the Witzel and Ritner series, which are both derived from

[[Page 67477]]

decomposed igneous rocks and contain varying amounts of rocks and 
cobbles.
Climate
    According to the petition, the proposed Lower Long Tom AVA's 
location east of the highest peaks of the Coast Range shields the 
proposed AVA from the marine air moving inland from the Pacific Ocean. 
The petition states that the high peaks, in particular Prairie 
Mountain, which rises over 3,000 feet, divert the cool marine air 
flowing inland from the Pacific Ocean away from the proposed AVA and 
into the regions to the north and south. Because the proposed AVA is 
sheltered from the marine air, nocturnal temperatures are warmer than 
they are in more exposed regions to the north and south of the proposed 
AVA. The petition states that Pinot Noir grapes are the most commonly 
grown grape varietal in the proposed AVA. Further, the petition claims 
that when grown in the proposed AVA, Pinot Noir grapes have a deeper 
color, an intensive berry flavor, and earthy notes that are not as 
pronounced in Pinot Noir grapes grown in the cooler surrounding regions 
outside of the proposed AVA.
    The petition did not include temperature data from within the 
proposed AVA to support these claims. However, it did include data 
relating to harvest dates of Pinot Noir from vineyards within the 
proposed AVA and vineyards to the north and south. Harvest date 
information was not included for the regions to the east and west of 
the proposed AVA. The following tables summarize the harvest date 
information.

                                                          Table 1--Harvest Dates of Pinot Noir
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            Harvest year
   Vineyard (direction from   -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   5-year average
        proposed AVA)                  2012                 2013                 2014                2015                2016
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Union School Vineyard          Oct. 2.............  Sept. 19...........  Sept. 15...........  Sept. 13..........  Sept. 9...........  Sept. 20.
 (within).
High Pass Vineyard (within)..  Oct. 6.............  Oct. 4.............  Sept. 23...........  Sept. 18..........  Sept. 16..........  Sept. 26.
Walnut Ridge Vineyard          Oct. 8.............  Oct. 3.............  Sept. 28...........  Sept. 14..........  Sept. 12..........  Sept. 25.
 (within).
Benton Lane Vineyard (within)  Oct. 7.............  Sept. 16...........  Sept. 10...........  Sept. 1...........  Sept. 1...........  Sept. 18.
Pfeiffer Vineyard (within)...  Oct. 2.............  Sept. 16...........  Sept. 16...........  Sept. 4...........  Sept. 2...........  Sept. 17.
King Estate Vineyard (south).  Oct. 8.............  Oct. 4.............  Sept. 23...........  Sept. 23..........  Sept. 17..........  Sept. 28.
Lavell Vineyards (south).....  Oct. 9.............  Sept. 20...........  Sept. 22...........  Sept. 25..........  Sept. 14..........  Sept. 27.
Croft Vineyard (north).......  Oct. 14............  Oct. 4.............  Sept. 20...........  Sept. 24..........  Sept. 19..........  Oct. 2.
Elton Vineyard (north).......  Oct. 4.............  Sept. 27...........  Sept. 23...........  Sept. 15..........  Sept. 19..........  Sept. 25.
Willamette Valley Estate       Oct. 10............  Oct. 10............  Oct. 5.............  Sept. 25..........  Sept. 21..........  Oct. 1.
 Vineyard (north).
Chapleton Hills Vineyard       Oct. 11............  Oct. 10............  Sept. 20...........  Sept. 26..........  Oct. 2............  Oct. 1.
 (north).
Broadley Vineyards (north)...  Oct. 9.............  Sept. 19...........  Sept. 16...........  Sept. 9...........  Sept. 13..........  Sept. 24.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                             Table 2--Average Harvest Dates of Pinot Noir by Region
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Region                       Method 1 average \10\                Method 2 average \11\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Proposed AVA..........................  Sept. 22......................  Sept. 20.
North.................................  Sept. 28......................  Sept. 28.
South.................................  Sept. 27......................  Sept. 26.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The five-year average harvest dates for the vineyard locations 
within the proposed Lower Long Tom AVA are earlier than the five-year 
average harvest dates for vineyards to the south of the proposed AVA. 
When comparing the five-year average harvest dates within the proposed 
AVA to the five-year average harvest dates north of the proposed AVA, 
two vineyard locations to the north have earlier harvest dates than one 
of the vineyards within the proposed AVA. However, when comparing the 
average harvest dates by region, the average harvest date within the 
proposed AVA is earlier than the average harvest date for the regions 
to the north and south, regardless of the method used to calculate the 
average harvest date. The harvest date data supports the petitioner's 
claim that growing season temperatures within the proposed AVA are 
generally warmer than the more marine-influenced temperatures of the 
regions to the north and south, and that such temperature variations 
lead harvests for Pinot Noir grapes grown within the proposed AVA to 
occur earlier than harvests for the same grape varietal grown within 
regions to the north and south of the proposed AVA.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ According to the petition, Method 1 involved finding the 
halfway point between the earliest and latest harvest date for each 
region.
    \11\ According to the petition, Method 2 involved calculating 
the sum of positive deviations from the earliest harvest date 
divided by the number of locations and added to the earliest date.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Summary of Distinguishing Features

    In summary, the topography, soils, and climate of the proposed 
Lower Long Tom AVA distinguish it from the surrounding regions. Within 
the proposed AVA, the topography consists of east-west trending valleys 
cut by tributaries of the Long Tom River and chains of rolling hills 
that are sheltered from the marine air that moves inland from the 
Pacific Ocean. The predominate soil series within the proposed AVA are 
Bellpine or Bellpine/Jory complex, which are described as thin soils 
derived from sedimentary marine uplift and marine uplift mixed with 
volcanic material. The soils have a low water-holding capacity. The 
proposed AVA has a warm growing season climate, as suggested by the 
early harvest dates for Pinot Noir.
    The region to the north of the proposed AVA is characterized by the 
low, flat Willamette Valley floor. Soils are predominately of the Jory 
series, which are deep soils derived from volcanic sources. The soils 
have a greater water-holding capacity than the soils of the proposed 
AVA. Average harvest dates for vineyards in this region are later than 
harvest dates in the proposed AVA, suggesting a cooler growing season 
climate.
    To the immediate east of the proposed AVA is the flat valley of the 
Long Tom

[[Page 67478]]

River, while the valley of the Willamette River is farther to the east. 
Soils to the east of the proposed AVA are predominately deep alluvial 
soils with higher water-holding capacities. To the west of the proposed 
AVA are the high, rugged elevations of the Coast Range, including 
Prairie Mountain, which divert the cold marine air away from the 
proposed AVA. Soils are mostly of the Witzel and Ritner series.
    To the south of the proposed AVA are the lower hills of the 
watershed of the upper Long Tom River, as well as Fern Ridge Lake. 
Because elevations to the south of the proposed AVA are lower, marine 
air is able to reach this area. As a result, the growing season climate 
is cooler and annual harvest dates are later than within the proposed 
AVA. Soils in this region are mostly Bellpine, similar to the soils of 
the proposed AVA, but without the Bellpine/Jory complex.

Comparison of the Proposed Lower Long Tom AVA to the Existing 
Willamette Valley AVA

    T.D. ATF-162, which published in the Federal Register on December 
1, 1983 (48 FR 54220), established the Willamette Valley AVA in 
northwest Oregon. The Willamette Valley AVA is described in T.D. ATF-
162 as a broad alluvial plain surrounded by mountains. Most elevations 
within the AVA do not exceed 1,000 feet, which is generally considered 
to be the maximum elevation for reliable grape cultivation in the 
region. Soils are described as primarily silty loams and clay loams.
    The proposed Lower Long Tom AVA is located in the northwestern 
portion of the Willamette Valley AVA and shares some broad 
characteristics with the established AVA. For example, Bellpine soil, 
which is the most common soil in the proposed AVA, is a silty clay 
loam. Elevations within the proposed AVA are also generally below 1,000 
feet.
    However, the proposed Lower Long Tom AVA is described as a chain of 
hills, compared to the broad, treeless plain that comprises most of the 
Willamette Valley AVA. Additionally, the proposed AVA's location east 
of Prairie Mountain creates a unique microclimate. Prairie Mountain 
diverts the cold marine air to the north and south of the proposed AVA, 
giving the proposed AVA an earlier average harvest date and warmer 
growing season temperatures than the less-sheltered regions of the 
Willamette Valley AVA.

TTB Determination

    TTB concludes that the petition to establish the approximately 
25,000-acre Lower Long Tom AVA merits consideration and public comment, 
as invited in this notice of proposed rulemaking.

Boundary Description

    See the narrative description of the boundary of the petitioned-for 
AVA in the proposed regulatory text published at the end of this 
proposed rule.

Maps

    The petitioner provided the required maps, and they are listed 
below in the proposed regulatory text. You may also view the proposed 
Lower Long Tom AVA boundary on the AVA Map Explorer on the TTB website, 
at https://www.ttb.gov/wine/ava-map-explorer.

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. For a wine to be labeled with an AVA name, at least 85 
percent of the wine must be derived from grapes grown within the area 
represented by that name, and the wine must meet the other conditions 
listed in Sec.  4.25(e)(3) of the TTB regulations (27 CFR 4.25(e)(3)). 
If the wine is not eligible for labeling with an AVA name and that name 
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 AVA name 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 an 
AVA name that was used as a brand name on a label approved before July 
7, 1986. See Sec.  4.39(i)(2) of the TTB regulations (27 CFR 
4.39(i)(2)) for details.
    If TTB establishes this proposed AVA, its name, ``Lower Long Tom,'' 
will be recognized as a name of viticultural significance under Sec.  
4.39(i)(3) of the TTB regulations (27 CFR 4.39(i)(3)). The text of the 
proposed regulation clarifies this point. Consequently, wine bottlers 
using the name ``Lower Long Tom'' in a brand name, including a 
trademark, or in another label reference as to the origin of the wine, 
would have to ensure that the product is eligible to use the AVA name 
as an appellation of origin if this proposed rule is adopted as a final 
rule. TTB is not proposing ``Long Tom,'' standing alone, as a term of 
viticultural significance if the proposed AVA is established because 
the term ``Long Tom'' is used to refer to the entire region along the 
Long Tom River and not just the lower portion of the river where the 
proposed AVA is located. Accordingly, the proposed part 9 regulatory 
text set forth in this document specifies only the full name ``Lower 
Long Tom'' as a term of viticultural significance for purposes of part 
4 of the TTB regulations.
    The approval of the proposed Lower Long Tom AVA would not affect 
any existing AVA, and it establishment would not affect any bottlers 
using ``Willamette Valley'' as an appellation of origin or in a brand 
name for wines made from grapes grown within the Lower Long Tom AVA. 
The establishment of the proposed Lower Long Tom AVA would allow 
vintners to use ``Lower Long Tom'' and ``Willamette Valley'' as 
appellations of origin for wines made from grapes grown within the 
proposed Lower Long Tom AVA, if the wines meet the eligibility 
requirements for the appellation.

Public Participation

Comments Invited

    TTB invites comments from interested members of the public on 
whether it should establish the proposed Lower Long Tom AVA. TTB is 
also interested in receiving comments on the sufficiency and accuracy 
of the name, boundary, soils, climate, topography, and other required 
information submitted in support of the petition. In addition, given 
the proposed Lower Long Tom AVA's location within the existing 
Willamette Valley AVA, TTB is interested in comments on whether the 
evidence submitted in the petition regarding the distinguishing 
features of the proposed AVA sufficiently differentiates it from the 
existing Willamette Valley AVA. TTB is also interested in comments on 
whether the geographic features of the proposed AVA are so 
distinguishable from the surrounding Willamette Valley AVA that the 
proposed Lower Long Tom AVA should no longer be part of that AVA. 
Please provide any available specific information in support of your 
comments.
    Because of the potential impact of the establishment of the 
proposed Lower Long Tom AVA on wine labels that include the term 
``Lower Long Tom'' 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 AVA 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 AVA 
will have on an existing viticultural enterprise. TTB is also 
interested in receiving suggestions for ways to avoid

[[Page 67479]]

conflicts, for example, by adopting a modified or different name for 
the proposed AVA.

Submitting Comments

    You may submit comments on this document by using one of the 
following methods:
     Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: You may send comments via the 
online comment form posted with this document within Docket No. TTB-
2020-0012 as posted on ``Regulations.gov,'' the Federal e-rulemaking 
portal, at https://www.regulations.gov. A direct link to that docket is 
available under Notice No. 197 on the TTB website at https://www.ttb.gov/wine/notices-of-proposed-rulemaking. 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, 1310 G Street NW, Box 12, Washington, DC 20005.
    Please submit your comments by the closing date shown above in this 
document. Your comments must reference Notice No. 197 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.
    In your comment, please clearly state if you are commenting for 
yourself or on behalf of an association, business, or other entity. If 
you are commenting on behalf of an 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

    TTB will post, and you may view, copies of this document, selected 
supporting materials, and any online or mailed comments received about 
this proposal within Docket No. TTB-2020-0012 on the Federal e-
rulemaking portal, Regulations.gov, at https://www.regulations.gov. A 
direct link to that docket is available on the TTB website at https://www.ttb.gov/wine/notices-of-proposed-rulemaking under Notice No.197. 
You may also reach the relevant docket through the Regulations.gov 
search page at https://www.regulations.gov. For information on how to 
use Regulations.gov, click on the site's ``Help'' tab.
    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 obtain copies of this proposed rule, all related 
petitions, maps and other supporting materials, and any electronic or 
mailed comments that TTB receives about this proposal at 20 cents per 
8.5 x 11-inch page. Please note that TTB is unable to provide copies of 
USGS maps or any similarly-sized documents that may be included as part 
of the AVA petition. Contact TTB's Regulations and Rulings Division by 
email using the web form at https://www.ttb.gov/contact-rrd, or by 
telephone at 202-453-1039, ext. 175, 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

    It has been determined that this proposed rule is not a significant 
regulatory action as defined by Executive Order 12866 of September 30, 
1993. Therefore, no regulatory assessment is required.

Drafting Information

    Karen A. Thornton of the Regulations and Rulings Division drafted 
this notice of proposed rulemaking.

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

0
1. The authority citation for part 9 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 27 U.S.C. 205.

Subpart C--Approved American Viticultural Areas

0
2. Subpart C is amended by adding Sec.  9.___ to read as follows:


Sec.  9.___  Lower Long Tom.

    (a) Name. The name of the viticultural area described in this 
section is ``Lower Long Tom''. For purposes of part 4 of this chapter, 
``Lower Long Tom'' is a term of viticultural significance.
    (b) Approved maps. The four United States Geological Survey (USGS) 
1:24,000 scale topographic maps used to determine the boundary of the 
Lower Long Tom viticultural area are titled:
    (1) Cheshire, Oregon, 1984;
    (2) Horton, Oregon, 1984;
    (3) Glenbrook, Oregon, 1984; and
    (4) Monroe, Oregon, 1991.
    (c) Boundary. The Lower Long Tom viticultural area is located in 
Benton and Lane Counties, in Oregon. The boundary of the Lower Long Tom 
viticultural area is as described below:
    (1) The beginning point is on the Cheshire map at the intersection 
of Franklin Road and the 360-foot elevation contour in Section 43, 
T16S/R5W. From the beginning point, proceed west on Franklin Road to 
its intersection with Territorial Road (known locally as Territorial 
Highway); then
    (2) Proceed southwesterly along Territorial Highway to its 
intersection with an unnamed, unimproved road north of Butler Road in 
Section 44, T16S/R5W; then
    (3) Proceed west in a straight line to the western boundary of 
Section 29, T16S/R5W; then
    (4) Proceed north along the western boundary of Section 29 to the 
southern boundary of Section 57, T16S/R5W; then
    (5) Proceed northwest in a straight line to the right angle in the 
western

[[Page 67480]]

boundary of Section 57, T16S/R5W; then
    (6) Proceed west in a straight line, crossing through Sections 58 
and 38, to the intersection of Sections 23, 24, 25, and 26, T16S/R6W; 
then
    (7) Proceed north along the western boundary of Section 24 to the 
first intersection with the 800-foot elevation contour; then
    (8) Proceed northerly, then northwesterly along the 800-foot 
elevation contour, crossing onto the Horton map, to the intersection of 
the 800-foot elevation contour and an unnamed, unimproved road with a 
marked 782-foot elevation point in Section 10, T16S/R6W; then
    (9) Proceed west in a straight line to the 1,000-foot elevation 
contour; then
    (10) Proceed northerly along the 1,000-foot elevation contour, 
crossing onto the Glenbrook map, to the elevation contour's third 
intersection with the Lane-Benton County line in Section 10, T15S/R6W; 
then
    (11) Proceed east along the Lane-Benton County line, crossing onto 
the Monroe map, to the R6W/R5W range line; then
    (12) Proceed north along the R6W/R5W range line to its intersection 
with Cherry Creek Road; then
    (13) Proceed northeasterly along Cherry Creek Road to its 
intersection with Shafer Creek along the T14S/T15S township line; then
    (14) Proceed northeasterly along Shafer Creek to its intersection 
with the 300-foot elevation contour; then
    (15) Proceed easterly along the 300-foot elevation contour, 
crossing Territorial Highway, to the intersection of the elevation 
contour with the marked old railroad grade in Section 33/T14S/R5W; then
    (16) Proceed south along the old railroad grade to its intersection 
with the southern boundary of Section 9, T15S/R5W; then
    (17) Proceed west along the southern boundary of Section 9 to its 
intersection with Territorial Highway; then
    (18) Proceed south along Territorial Highway to its intersection 
with the 360-foot elevation contour in Section 16; T15S/R5W; then
    (19) Proceed southwesterly along the 360-foot elevation contour, 
crossing Ferguson Creek, and continuing generally southeasterly along 
the elevation contour, crossing onto the Cheshire map and crossing over 
Owens Creek and Jones Creek, to the point where the elevation contour 
crosses Bear Creek and turns north in Section 52; T16S/R5W; then
    (20) Continue northeasterly along the 360-foot elevation contour to 
the point where it turns south in the town of Cheshire; then
    (21) Continue south along the 360-foot elevation contour and return 
to the beginning point.

    Signed:
Mary G. Ryan,
Administrator.

    Approved:
Timothy E. Skud,
Deputy Assistant Secretary (Tax, Trade, and Tariff Policy).
[FR Doc. 2020-22603 Filed 10-22-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4810-31-P