80_FR_65877 80 FR 65670 - Proposed Establishment of the Lewis-Clark Valley Viticultural Area and Realignment of the Columbia Valley Viticultural Area; Comment Period Reopening

80 FR 65670 - Proposed Establishment of the Lewis-Clark Valley Viticultural Area and Realignment of the Columbia Valley Viticultural Area; Comment Period Reopening

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 207 (October 27, 2015)

Page Range65670-65671
FR Document2015-27362

The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) is reopening the comment period for Notice No. 149, which concerned the proposed establishment of the approximately 306,650-acre ``Lewis-Clark Valley'' viticultural area in portions of Nez Perce, Lewis, Clearwater and Latah Counties in Idaho and Asotin, Garfield, and Whitman Counties in Washington. Notice No. 149 also proposed to modify the boundary of the existing Columbia Valley viticultural area to eliminate a potential overlap with the proposed Lewis-Clark Valley viticultural area. This reopening of the comment period solicits comments from the public on issues that were raised in public comments received in response to Notice No. 149.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 207 (Tuesday, October 27, 2015) 
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 207 (Tuesday, October 27, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 65670-65671]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-27362]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau

27 CFR Part 9

[Docket No. TTB-2015-0005; Notice No. 149A; Re: Notice No. 149]
RIN 1513-AC14


Proposed Establishment of the Lewis-Clark Valley Viticultural 
Area and Realignment of the Columbia Valley Viticultural Area; Comment 
Period Reopening

AGENCY: Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, Treasury.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking; Reopening of comment period.

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SUMMARY: The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) is 
reopening the comment period for Notice No. 149, which concerned the 
proposed establishment of the approximately 306,650-acre ``Lewis-Clark 
Valley'' viticultural area in portions of Nez Perce, Lewis, Clearwater 
and Latah Counties in Idaho and Asotin, Garfield, and Whitman Counties 
in Washington. Notice No. 149 also proposed to modify the boundary of 
the existing Columbia Valley viticultural area to eliminate a potential 
overlap with the proposed Lewis-Clark Valley viticultural area. This 
reopening of the comment period solicits comments from the public on 
issues that were raised in public comments received in response to 
Notice No. 149.

DATES: For Notice No. 149, the proposed rule which published on April 
14, 2015 (80 FR 19901), written comments are now due on or before 
November 27, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Please send your comments on this proposal to one of the 
following addresses:
     http://www.regulations.gov (via the online comment form 
for Notice No. 149 as posted within Docket No. TTB-2015-0005 at 
``Regulations.gov,'' the Federal e-rulemaking portal);
     U.S. mail: Director, Regulations and Rulings Division, 
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, 1310 G Street NW., Box 12, 
Washington, DC 20005; or
     Hand delivery/courier in lieu of mail: Alcohol and Tobacco 
Tax and Trade Bureau, 1310 G Street NW., Suite 400, Washington, DC 
20005.
    See the Public Participation section of Notice No. 149 for specific 
instructions and requirements for submitting comments, and for 
information on how to request a public hearing or view or

[[Page 65671]]

obtain copies of the petition and supporting materials.
    You may view copies of the petition, Notice No. 149, selected 
supporting materials, and all public comments associated with this 
proposal within Docket No. TTB-2015-0005 at www.regulations.gov. You 
also may view copies of the petition, Notice No. 149, the supporting 
materials, and all public comments associated with this proposal by 
appointment at the TTB Information Resource Center, 1310 G Street NW., 
Washington, DC 20005. Please call 202-453-2265 to make an appointment.

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: TTB received a petition from Dr. Alan 
Busacca, a licensed geologist and founder of Vinitas Consultants, LLC, 
on behalf of the Palouse-Lewis Clark Valley Wine Alliance and the 
Clearwater Economic Development Association. The petition proposed to 
establish the approximately 306,650-acre ``Lewis-Clark Valley'' AVA and 
to modify the boundary of the existing ``Columbia Valley'' AVA (27 CFR 
9.74). The proposed Lewis-Clark Valley AVA is located at the confluence 
of the Snake River and the Clearwater River and covers portions of Nez 
Perce, Lewis, Clearwater, and Latah Counties in northern Idaho and 
Asotin, Garfield, and Whitman Counties in southeastern Washington.
    A small portion of the proposed Lewis-Clark Valley AVA would, if 
established, overlap the southeastern corner of the established 
Columbia Valley AVA. To eliminate the potential overlap, the petitioner 
proposed to modify the boundary of the Columbia Valley AVA so that the 
overlapping area (hereinafter referred to as the ``proposed realignment 
area'') would be solely within the proposed Lewis-Clark Valley AVA. The 
proposed modifications would reduce the size of the approximately 
11,370,320-acre Columbia Valley AVA boundary by approximately 57,020 
acres.
    TTB published Notice No. 149 in the Federal Register on April 14, 
2015 (80 FR 19901). In Notice No. 149, TTB described the 
characteristics of the proposed Lewis-Clark Valley AVA and the 
rationale for the modification of the boundary of the Columbia Valley 
AVA and solicited public comment on the proposals. The comment period 
closed June 15, 2015.
    During the comment period, TTB received a comment from a vineyard 
owner within the proposed realignment area. According to the commenter, 
his vineyard is the estate vineyard for a winery that is also located 
within the proposed realignment area. The commenter stated that the 
proposed realignment area has characteristics similar to those of the 
Columbia Valley and should not be removed from that AVA. Specifically, 
the commenter stated, ``The geology, soils, and climate of the proposed 
Lewis-Clark Valley AVA are quite similar to those of the Columbia 
Valley and mostly lay within the elevations affected by the Missoula 
floods.'' The comment is posted as Comment 35 within Docket No. TTB-
2015-0005 at www.regulations.gov.

Determination To Re-Open the Public Comment Period

    TTB reviewed all comments received in response to Notice No. 149 
with reference to the original petition information. TTB believes that 
the comment period for Notice No. 149, which was open for 60 days, was 
adequate to obtain information on the initially proposed regulation. 
However, TTB notes that if the proposed realignment area were to be 
removed from the Columbia Valley AVA and placed into the proposed 
Lewis-Clark Valley AVA, wines made primarily from grapes grown within 
the proposed realignment area would no longer be eligible to be labeled 
with the ``Columbia Valley'' appellation of origin. Therefore, because 
of the potential effect on label holders if TTB were to adopt the 
proposed modification of the Columbia Valley AVA boundary, TTB has 
determined that it would be appropriate in this instance to re-open the 
comment period, for the specific purpose of obtaining further public 
comment on the proposed boundary modification, before taking any 
further regulatory action on this matter.
    TTB is, therefore, re-opening the comment period on Notice No. 149 
for an additional 30 days, in order to obtain additional comments on 
the characteristics of the proposed realignment area. Comments on 
Notice No. 149 are now due on or before November 27, 2015. TTB is 
specifically interested in comments on whether the evidence provided in 
the petition to establish the proposed Lewis-Clark Valley AVA and to 
modify the boundary of the Columbia Valley AVA adequately demonstrates 
that the characteristics of the proposed realignment area are more 
similar to those of the rest of the proposed Lewis-Clark Valley AVA 
than to the distinguishing features of the Columbia Valley AVA, which 
are described in T.D. TTB-ATF 190 (69 FR 44897, November 13, 1984) and 
summarized in both the proposed Lewis-Clark Valley AVA petition and 
Notice No. 149. Please provide any available specific information in 
support of your comments.

How To Comment

    See the Public Participation section of Notice No. 149 for specific 
instructions and requirements for submitting comments, and for 
information on how to request a public hearing or view or obtain copies 
of the petition and supporting materials.
    You may view copies of the petition, Notice No. 149, selected 
supporting materials, and all public comments associated with this 
proposal within Docket No. TTB-2015-0005 at www.regulations.gov. You 
also may view copies of all comments and documents associated with 
Notice No. 149 by appointment at the TTB Information Resource Center, 
1310 G Street NW., Washington, DC 20005. Please call 202-453-2265 to 
make an appointment.

Drafting Information

    Karen A. Thornton of the Regulations and Rulings Division drafted 
this document.

    Signed: October 21, 2015.
John J. Manfreda,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2015-27362 Filed 10-26-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4810-31-P

65670 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 207 / Tuesday, October 27, 2015 / Proposed Rules applicable, to include the inspection program September 26, 2006 (71 FR 56072) is DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY (inspection threshold, method, and repetitive partially withdrawn. interval) for the repair. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade (3) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bureau requirement in this AD to obtain corrective Zoran Stojanovic, (202) 317–6980 (not a actions from a manufacturer, the action must toll-free number). be accomplished using a method approved 27 CFR Part 9 by the Manager, New York ACO, ANE–170, SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: [Docket No. TTB–2015–0005; Notice No. FAA; or TCCA; or Bombardier, Inc.’s TCCA Background 149A; Re: Notice No. 149] DAO. If approved by the DAO, the approval must include the DAO-authorized signature. RIN 1513–AC14 On September 26, 2006, the (l) Related Information Department of the Treasury and the IRS Proposed Establishment of the Lewis- (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing published in the Federal Register Airworthiness Information (MCAI) Canadian Clark Valley Viticultural Area and proposed regulations (71 FR 56072; Airworthiness Directive CF–2012–13, dated Realignment of the Columbia Valley REG–140379–02, REG–142599–02) (the Viticultural Area; Comment Period April 10, 2012, for related information. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on Proposed Regulations) that would Reopening the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/ amend certain regulations under #!documentDetail;D=FAA-2013-0597-0002. sections 141 and 145. The Proposed AGENCY: Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and (2) For service information identified in Regulations include, among other Trade Bureau, Treasury. this AD, contact Bombardier, Inc., 400 Côte- provisions, certain general definitions ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking; Vertu Road West, Dorval, Québec H4S 1Y9, for purposes of the private business tests Reopening of comment period. Canada; telephone 514–855–5000; fax 514– under section 141 and rules regarding 855–7401; email thd.crj@ SUMMARY: The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax aero.bombardier.com; Internet http:// the treatment of certain partnerships for purposes of the modified private and Trade Bureau (TTB) is reopening www.bombardier.com. You may view this the comment period for Notice No. 149, service information at the FAA, Transport business tests and the ownership test which concerned the proposed Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., under section 145. This document Renton, WA. For information on the establishment of the approximately withdraws these general definitions and availability of this material at the FAA, call 306,650-acre ‘‘Lewis-Clark Valley’’ the provision relating to the treatment of 425–227–1221. viticultural area in portions of Nez partnerships for purposes of section Perce, Lewis, Clearwater and Latah Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 145, because these concepts either are 6, 2015. Counties in Idaho and Asotin, Garfield, unnecessary or are otherwise addressed and Whitman Counties in Washington. Jeffrey E. Duven, as a result of other revisions to the Notice No. 149 also proposed to modify Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, remaining portions of the Proposed Aircraft Certification Service. the boundary of the existing Columbia Regulations that are adopted as final Valley viticultural area to eliminate a [FR Doc. 2015–27267 Filed 10–26–15; 8:45 am] regulations published elsewhere in this potential overlap with the proposed BILLING CODE 4910–13–P edition of the Federal Register. Lewis-Clark Valley viticultural area. This reopening of the comment period List of Subjects in 26 CFR Part 1 solicits comments from the public on DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Income taxes, Reporting and issues that were raised in public recordkeeping requirements. comments received in response to Internal Revenue Service Notice No. 149. Partial Withdrawal of a Notice of DATES: For Notice No. 149, the proposed 26 CFR Part 1 Proposed Rulemaking rule which published on April 14, 2015 [REG–140379–02, REG–142599–02] Accordingly, under the authority of (80 FR 19901), written comments are 26 U.S.C. 7805, §§ 1.141–1(b) and now due on or before November 27, RIN 1545–BC07, 1545–BB23 2015. 1.145–2(c)(3) of the notice of proposed General Allocation and Accounting rulemaking (REG–140379–02, REG– ADDRESSES: Please send your comments Regulations Under Section 141 142599–02) published in the Federal on this proposal to one of the following Register on September 26, 2006 (71 FR addresses: AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), • http://www.regulations.gov (via the 56072), are withdrawn. Treasury. online comment form for Notice No. 149 ACTION: Partial withdrawal of notice of John Dalrymple, as posted within Docket No. TTB–2015– proposed rulemaking. Deputy Commissioner for Services and 0005 at ‘‘Regulations.gov,’’ the Federal Enforcement. e-rulemaking portal); SUMMARY: This document withdraws a [FR Doc. 2015–27319 Filed 10–26–15; 8:45 am] • U.S. mail: Director, Regulations and portion of the notice of proposed Rulings Division, Alcohol and Tobacco BILLING CODE 4830–01–P rulemaking published in the Federal Tax and Trade Bureau, 1310 G Street Register on September 26, 2006 (71 FR NW., Box 12, Washington, DC 20005; or 56072). The withdrawn portion relates • Hand delivery/courier in lieu of srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS to certain general definitions for mail: Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and purposes of section 141 of the Internal Trade Bureau, 1310 G Street NW., Suite Revenue Code and the treatment of 400, Washington, DC 20005. partnerships for purposes of section See the Public Participation section of 145(a). Notice No. 149 for specific instructions DATES: As of October 27, 2015, the and requirements for submitting notice of proposed rulemaking comments, and for information on how published in the Federal Register on to request a public hearing or view or VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:30 Oct 26, 2015 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\27OCP1.SGM 27OCP1

Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 207 / Tuesday, October 27, 2015 / Proposed Rules 65671 obtain copies of the petition and During the comment period, TTB to the distinguishing features of the supporting materials. received a comment from a vineyard Columbia Valley AVA, which are You may view copies of the petition, owner within the proposed realignment described in T.D. TTB–ATF 190 (69 FR Notice No. 149, selected supporting area. According to the commenter, his 44897, November 13, 1984) and materials, and all public comments vineyard is the estate vineyard for a summarized in both the proposed associated with this proposal within winery that is also located within the Lewis-Clark Valley AVA petition and Docket No. TTB–2015–0005 at proposed realignment area. The Notice No. 149. Please provide any www.regulations.gov. You also may commenter stated that the proposed available specific information in view copies of the petition, Notice No. realignment area has characteristics support of your comments. 149, the supporting materials, and all similar to those of the Columbia Valley public comments associated with this and should not be removed from that How To Comment proposal by appointment at the TTB AVA. Specifically, the commenter See the Public Participation section of Information Resource Center, 1310 G stated, ‘‘The geology, soils, and climate Notice No. 149 for specific instructions Street NW., Washington, DC 20005. of the proposed Lewis-Clark Valley and requirements for submitting Please call 202–453–2265 to make an AVA are quite similar to those of the comments, and for information on how appointment. Columbia Valley and mostly lay within to request a public hearing or view or FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: the elevations affected by the Missoula obtain copies of the petition and Karen A. Thornton, Regulations and floods.’’ The comment is posted as supporting materials. Rulings Division, Alcohol and Tobacco Comment 35 within Docket No. TTB– You may view copies of the petition, Tax and Trade Bureau, 1310 G Street 2015–0005 at www.regulations.gov. Notice No. 149, selected supporting NW., Box 12, Washington, DC 20005; Determination To Re-Open the Public materials, and all public comments phone 202–453–1039, ext. 175. Comment Period associated with this proposal within Docket No. TTB–2015–0005 at SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: TTB TTB reviewed all comments received www.regulations.gov. You also may received a petition from Dr. Alan in response to Notice No. 149 with view copies of all comments and Busacca, a licensed geologist and reference to the original petition documents associated with Notice No. founder of Vinitas Consultants, LLC, on information. TTB believes that the 149 by appointment at the TTB behalf of the Palouse-Lewis Clark Valley comment period for Notice No. 149, Information Resource Center, 1310 G Wine Alliance and the Clearwater which was open for 60 days, was Street NW., Washington, DC 20005. Economic Development Association. adequate to obtain information on the Please call 202–453–2265 to make an The petition proposed to establish the initially proposed regulation. However, appointment. approximately 306,650-acre ‘‘Lewis- TTB notes that if the proposed Clark Valley’’ AVA and to modify the realignment area were to be removed Drafting Information boundary of the existing ‘‘Columbia from the Columbia Valley AVA and Karen A. Thornton of the Regulations Valley’’ AVA (27 CFR 9.74). The placed into the proposed Lewis-Clark and Rulings Division drafted this proposed Lewis-Clark Valley AVA is Valley AVA, wines made primarily from document. located at the confluence of the Snake grapes grown within the proposed River and the Clearwater River and realignment area would no longer be Signed: October 21, 2015. covers portions of Nez Perce, Lewis, eligible to be labeled with the John J. Manfreda, Clearwater, and Latah Counties in ‘‘Columbia Valley’’ appellation of Administrator. northern Idaho and Asotin, Garfield, origin. Therefore, because of the [FR Doc. 2015–27362 Filed 10–26–15; 8:45 am] and Whitman Counties in southeastern potential effect on label holders if TTB BILLING CODE 4810–31–P Washington. were to adopt the proposed A small portion of the proposed modification of the Columbia Valley Lewis-Clark Valley AVA would, if AVA boundary, TTB has determined ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION established, overlap the southeastern that it would be appropriate in this AGENCY corner of the established Columbia instance to re-open the comment period, Valley AVA. To eliminate the potential for the specific purpose of obtaining 40 CFR Part 52 overlap, the petitioner proposed to further public comment on the proposed modify the boundary of the Columbia boundary modification, before taking [EPA–R10–OAR–2011–0799; FRL–9936–02– Region 10] Valley AVA so that the overlapping area any further regulatory action on this (hereinafter referred to as the ‘‘proposed matter. Air Plan Approval; OR; Portland, realignment area’’) would be solely TTB is, therefore, re-opening the Medford, Salem; Clackamas, within the proposed Lewis-Clark Valley comment period on Notice No. 149 for Multnomah, Washington Counties; AVA. The proposed modifications an additional 30 days, in order to obtain Gasoline Dispensing Facilities would reduce the size of the additional comments on the approximately 11,370,320-acre characteristics of the proposed AGENCY: Environmental Protection Columbia Valley AVA boundary by realignment area. Comments on Notice Agency (EPA). approximately 57,020 acres. No. 149 are now due on or before ACTION: Proposed rule. TTB published Notice No. 149 in the November 27, 2015. TTB is specifically Federal Register on April 14, 2015 (80 interested in comments on whether the SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS FR 19901). In Notice No. 149, TTB evidence provided in the petition to Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve described the characteristics of the establish the proposed Lewis-Clark three state implementation plan (SIP) proposed Lewis-Clark Valley AVA and Valley AVA and to modify the boundary revisions submitted by the State of the rationale for the modification of the of the Columbia Valley AVA adequately Oregon Department of Environmental boundary of the Columbia Valley AVA demonstrates that the characteristics of Quality (Oregon or ODEQ) and a and solicited public comment on the the proposed realignment area are more specific portion of a fourth SIP proposals. The comment period closed similar to those of the rest of the submittal identified in a supplementary June 15, 2015. proposed Lewis-Clark Valley AVA than letter. These SIP submittals primarily VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:30 Oct 26, 2015 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\27OCP1.SGM 27OCP1


Document Created: 2015-12-14 15:36:05
Document Modified: 2015-12-14 15:36:05
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionProposed Rules
ActionNotice of proposed rulemaking; Reopening of comment period.
DatesFor Notice No. 149, the proposed rule which published on April 14, 2015 (80 FR 19901), written comments are now due on or before November 27, 2015.
ContactKaren 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.
FR Citation80 FR 65670 
RIN Number1513-AC14
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