Opportunity for Designation in the Lincoln (NE), Memphis (TN), Omaha (NE), Jamestown (ND), Sioux City (IA), and Fort Dodge (IA) Areas and Request for Comments on the Official Agencies Serving These Areas

This Action has been reviewed and determined not to be a rule or regulation as defined in Executive Order 12866 and Departmental Regulation 1512-1; therefore, the Executive Order and Departmental Regulation do not apply to this Action. Section 7(f)(1) of the United States Grain Standards Act, as amended (Act), authorizes GIPSA's Administrator 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. Section 7(g)(1) of the Act provides that designations of official agencies shall end not later than triennially and may be renewed according to the criteria and procedures prescribed in Section 7(f) of the Act.

1. Current Designations Being Announced for Renewal

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Designation Designation Official agency Main office start end ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lincoln....................................... Lincoln, NE..................... 5/1/1997 4/30/2000 Memphis....................................... Memphis, TN..................... 5/1/1997 4/30/2000 Omaha......................................... Omaha, NE....................... 5/1/1997 4/30/2000 Jamestown..................................... Jamestown, ND................... 7/1/1997 6/30/2000 Sioux City.................................... Sioux City, IA.................. 7/1/1997 6/30/2000 Tischer....................................... Fort Dodge, IA.................. 7/1/1997 6/30/2000 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

a. Pursuant to Section 7(f)(2) of the Act, the following geographic area, in the States of Iowa and Nebraska, is assigned to Lincoln.

Bounded on the North (in Nebraska) by the northern York, Seward, and Lancaster County lines; the northern Cass County line east to the Missouri River; the Missouri River south to U.S. Route 34; (in Iowa) U.S. Route 34 east to Interstate 29; Bounded on the East by Interstate 29 south to the Fremont County line; the northern Fremont and Page County lines; the eastern Page County line south to the Iowa-Missouri State line; the Iowa-Missouri State line west to the Missouri River; the Missouri River south- southeast to the Nebraska-Kansas State line; Bounded on the South by the Nebraska-Kansas State line west to County Road 1 mile west of U.S. Route 81; and Bounded on the West (in Nebraska) by County Road 1 mile west of U.S. Route 81 north to State Highway 8; State Highway 8 east to U.S. Route 81; U.S. Route 81 north to the Thayer County line; the northern Thayer County line east; the western Saline County line; the southern and western York County lines. Lincoln's assigned geographic area does not include the following grain elevators inside Lincoln's area which have been and will continue to be serviced by the following

official agency: Omaha Grain Inspection Service, Inc.: Goode Seed & Grain, McPaul, Fremont County, Iowa; and Lincoln Grain, Murray, Cass County, Nebraska.

b. Pursuant to Section 7(f)(2) of the Act, the following geographic area, in the States of Arkansas, Tennessee, and Texas, is assigned to Memphis.

The entire State of Arkansas. Carroll, Chester, Crockett, Dyer, Fayette, Gibson, Hardeman, Haywood, Henderson, Lauderdale, Madison, McNairy, Shelby, and Tipton Counties, Tennessee. Bowie and Cass Counties, Texas.

The following grain elevators, located outside of the above contiguous geographic area, are part of this geographic area assignment: Continental Grain Co., Tiptonville, Lake County, Tennessee (located inside Cairo Grain Inspection Agency, Inc.'s, area). c. Pursuant to Section 7(f)(2) of the Act, the following geographic area, in the States of Iowa and Nebraska, is assigned to Omaha.

Bounded on the North by Nebraska State Route 91 from the western Washington County line east to U.S. Route 30; U.S. Route 30 east to the Missouri River; the Missouri River north to Iowa State Route 175; Iowa State Route 175 east to Iowa State Route 37; Iowa State Route 37 southeast to the eastern Monona County line; Bounded on the East by the eastern Monona County line; the southern Monona County line west to Iowa State Route 183; Iowa State Route 183 south to the Pottawattamie County line; the northern and eastern Pottawattamie County lines; the southern Pottawattamie County line west to M47; M47 south to Iowa State Route 48; Iowa State Route 48 south to the Montgomery County line; Bounded on the South by the southern Montgomery County line; the southern Mills County line west to Interstate 29; Interstate 29 north to U.S. Route 34; U.S. Route 34 west to the Missouri River; the Missouri River north to the Sarpy County line (in Nebraska); the southern Sarpy County line; the southern Saunders County line west to U.S. Route 77; and Bounded on the West by U.S. Route 77 north to the Platte River; the Platte River southeast to the Douglas County line; the northern Douglas County line east; the western Washington County line northwest to Nebraska State Route 91. The following grain elevators, located outside of the above contiguous geographic area, are part of this geographic area assignment: T&K Evans, Elliot, Montgomery County, Iowa; Hemphill Feed & Grain, and Hansen Feed & Grain, both in Griswold, Cass County, Iowa (located inside Central Iowa Grain Inspection Service, Inc.'s, area); Farmers Coop Business Assn., Rising City, Butler County, Nebraska; Farmers Coop Business Assn. (2 elevators), Shelby, Polk County, Nebraska (located inside Fremont Grain Inspection Department, Inc.'s, area); and Goode Seed & Grain, McPaul, Fremont County, Iowa; Lincoln Grain, Murray, Cass County, Nebraska (located inside Lincoln Inspection Service, Inc.'s, area). Omaha's assigned geographic area does not include the following grain elevators inside Omaha's area which have been and will continue to be serviced by the following official agency: Fremont Grain Inspection Department, Inc.: Farmers Cooperative, and Krumel Grain and Storage, both in Wahoo, Saunders County, Nebraska.

d. Pursuant to Section 7(f)(2) of the Act, the following geographic area, in the State of North Dakota, is assigned to Jamestown.

Bounded on the North by Interstate 94 east to U.S. Route 85; U.S. Route 85 north to State Route 200; State Route 200 east to U.S. Route 83; U.S. Route 83 southeast to State Route 41; State Route 41 north to State Route 200; State Route 200 east to State Route 3; State Route 3 north to U.S. Route 52; U.S. Route 52 southeast to State Route 15; State Route 15 east to U.S. Route 281; U.S. Route 281 south to Foster County; the northern Foster County line; the northern Griggs County line east to State Route 32; Bounded on the East by State Route 32 south to State Route 45; State Route 45 south to State Route 200; State Route 200 west to State Route 1; State Route 1 south to the Soo Railroad line; the Soo Railroad line southeast to Interstate 94; Interstate 94 west to State Route 1; State Route 1 south to the Dickey County line; Bounded on the South by the southern Dickey County line west to U.S. Route 281; U.S. Route 281 north to the Lamoure County line; the southern Lamoure County line; the southern Logan County line west to State Route 13; State Route 13 west to U.S. Route 83; U.S. Route 83 south to the Emmons County line; the southern Emmons County line; the southern Sioux County line west State Route 49; State Route 49 north to State Route 21; State Route 21 west to the Burlington- Northern (BN) line; the Burlington-Northern (BN) line northwest to State Route 22; State Route 22 south to U.S. Route 12; U.S. Route 12 west-northwest to the North Dakota State line; and Bounded on the West by the western North Dakota State line north to Interstate 94. The following grain elevators, located outside of the above contiguous geographic area, are part of this geographic area assignment: Farmers Coop Elevator, Fessenden, Farmers Union Elevator, and Manfred Grain, both in Manfred, all in Wells County (located inside Grand Forks Grain Inspection Department, Inc.'s, area); and Norway Spur, and Oakes Grain, both in Oakes, Dickey County (located inside North Dakota Grain Inspection Service, Inc.'s, area). Jamestown's assigned geographic area does not include the following grain elevators inside Jamestown's area which have been and will continue to be serviced by the following official agency: Minot Grain Inspection, Inc.: Benson Quinn Company, Underwood; and Missouri Valley Grain Company, Washburn, all in McLean County.

e. Pursuant to Section 7(f)(2) of the Act, the following geographic area, in the States of Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota, is assigned to Sioux City.

In Iowa: Bounded on the North by the northern Iowa State line from the Big Sioux River east to U.S. Route 59; Bounded on the East by U.S. Route 59 south to B24; B24 east to the eastern O'Brien County line; the O'Brien County line south; the northern Buena Vista County line east to U.S. Route 71; U.S. Route 71 south to the southern Sac County line; Bounded on the South by the Sac and Ida County lines; the eastern Monona County line south to State Route 37; State Route 37 west to State Route 175; State Route 175 west to the Missouri River; and Bounded on the West by the Missouri River north to the Big Sioux River; the Big Sioux River north to the northern Iowa State line. In Nebraska: Cedar, Dakota, Dixon, Pierce (north of U.S. Route 20), and Thurston Counties. In South Dakota: Bounded on the North by State Route 44 (U.S. 18) east to State Route 11; State Route 11 south to A54B; A54B east to the Big Sioux River; Bounded on the East by the Big Sioux River; and Bounded on the South and West by the Missouri River.

f. Pursuant to Section 7(f)(2) of the Act, the following geographic area, in the State of Iowa, is assigned to Tischer.

Bounded on the North by Iowa-Minnesota State line from U.S. Route 71 east to U.S. Route 169; Bounded on the East by U.S. Route 169 south to State Route 9; State Route 9 west to U.S. Route 169; U.S. Route 169 south to the northern Humboldt County line; the Humboldt County line east to State Route 17; State Route 17 south to C54; C54 east to U.S. Route 69; U.S. Route 69 south to the northern Hamilton County line; the Hamilton County line west to R38; R38 south to U.S. Route 20; U.S. Route 20 west to the eastern and southern Webster County lines to U.S. Route 169; U.S. Route 169 south to E18; E18 west to the eastern Greene County line; the Greene County line south to U.S. Route 30; Bounded on the South by U.S. Route 30 west to E53; E53 west to N44; N44 north to U.S. Route 30; U.S. Route 30 west to U.S. Route 71; and Bounded on the West by U.S. Route 71 north to the Iowa-Minnesota State line.

The following grain elevators, located outside of the above contiguous geographic area, are part of this geographic area assignment: Farmers Co-op Elevator, Boxholm, Boone County (located inside Central Iowa Grain Inspection Service, Inc.'s, area); and West Bend Elevator Co., Algona, Kossuth County; Stateline Coop., Burt, Kossuth County; Gold-Eagle, Goldfield, Wright County; and Farmers Co-op Elevator, Holmes, Wright County (located inside D. R. Schaal Agency's area).

2. Opportunity for Designation.

Interested persons, including Lincoln, Memphis, Omaha, Jamestown, Sioux City, and Tischer, are hereby given the opportunity to apply for designation to provide official services in the geographic areas specified above under the provisions of Section 7(f) of the Act and section 800.196(d) of the regulations issued thereunder. Persons wishing to apply for designation should contact the Compliance Division at the address listed above for forms and information.

Designation Terms ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Lincoln, Memphis, and Omaha................... 05/01/2000-03/31/2003 Jamestown, Sioux City, and Tischer............ 07/01/2000-03/31/2003 ------------------------------------------------------------------------

3. Request for Comments

GIPSA also is publishing this notice to provide interested persons the opportunity to present comments on the Lincoln, Memphis, Omaha, Jamestown, Sioux City, and Tischer official agencies. Commenters are encouraged to submit pertinent data concerning the Lincoln, Memphis, Omaha, Jamestown, Sioux City, and Tischer official agencies including information on the timeliness, cost, quality, and scope of services provided. All comments must be submitted to the Compliance Division at the above address. Applications, comments, and other available information will be considered in determining which applicant will be designated.

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

Dated: September 22, 1999. Neil E. Porter, Director, Compliance Division. [FR Doc. 99-25360 Filed 9-30-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-EN-P