Opportunity for Designation in the Essex, Illinois, Area; Request for Comments on the Official Agency Servicing This Area

AGENCY:

Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration, USDA.

ACTION:

Notice.

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: Kankakee Grain Inspection, Inc. (Kankakee).

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 ( http://www.regulations.gov ). Instructions for submitting and reading comments are detailed on the site.
• Mail, Courier or Hand Delivery: Jacob Thein, Compliance Officer, USDA, GIPSA, FGIS, QACD, 10383 North Ambassador Drive, Kansas City, MO 64153.
• Fax: Jacob Thein, 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:

Jacob Thein, 816-866-2223 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 7(f) of the USGSA.

Areas Open for Designation

Kankakee

Pursuant to Section 7(f)(2) of the United States Grain Standards Act, the following geographic area in the State of Illinois is assigned to this official agency.

In Illinois

Bounded on the north by the northern Bureau County line; the northern LaSalle and Grundy County lines; the northern Will County line east-southeast to Interstate 57; bounded on the east by Interstate 57 south to U.S. Route 52; U.S. Route 52 south to the Kankakee County line; bounded on the south by the southern Kankakee and Grundy County lines; the southern LaSalle County line west to State Route 17; State Route 17 west to U.S. Route 51; U.S. Route 51 north to State Route 18; State Route 18 west to State Route 26; State Route 26 south to State Route 116; State Route 116 south to Interstate 74; Interstate 74 west to the western Peoria County line; and bounded on the west by the western Peoria and Stark County lines; the northern Stark County line east to State Route 40; State Route 40 north to the Bureau County line.

Opportunity for Designation

Interested persons or governmental agencies may apply for designation to provide official services in the geographic area specified above under the provisions of section 7(f) of the USGSA and 7 CFR 800.196. Designation in the specified geographic area in Illinois is for the period beginning January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2022. To apply for designation or to request more information, contact Jacob Thein 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 Kankakee 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 Jacob Thein at the above address or at http://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.