[Federal Register: December 17, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 241)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 71290-71291]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17de07-25]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau
27 CFR Parts 4, 9, and 70
[Notice No. 80; Re: Notice No. 78]
RIN 1513-AB39
Proposed Revision of American Viticultural Area Regulations;
Extension of Comment Period
AGENCY: Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, Treasury.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking; extension of comment period.
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SUMMARY: In response to industry member requests, we are extending the
comment period for Notice No. 78, Proposed Revision of American
Viticultural Area Regulations, a notice of proposed rulemaking
published in the Federal Register on November 20, 2007, for an
additional 60 days.
DATES: Written comments on Notice No. 78 must now be received on or
before March 20, 2008.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments on Notice No. 78 to one of the
following addresses:
http://www.regulations.gov (Federal e-rulemaking portal;
follow the instructions for submitting comments); or
Director, Regulations and Rulings Division, Alcohol and
Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, P.O. Box 14412, Washington, DC 20044-
4412.
You may view copies of this notice, Notice No. 78, and any comments
we receive about the proposals described in Notice No. 78 under Docket
No. TTB-2007-0068 on the Regulations.gov Web site at http://www.regulations.gov.
A link to Docket No. TTB-2007-0068 is also
available on the TTB Web site at http://www.ttb.gov/regulations_laws/all_rulemaking.shtml
, within the entry for Notice No. 78. In addition,
you may view copies of the same materials described above by
appointment at the TTB Information Resource Center, 1310 G Street, NW.,
Washington, DC 20220. To make an appointment, call (202) 927-2400.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rita D. Butler, Regulations and
Rulings Division, Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, 1310 G
Street, NW., Suite 200-E, Washington, DC 20220; telephone: 202-927-
1608, fax: 202-927-8525.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On November 20, 2007, the Alcohol and
Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) published a notice of proposed
rulemaking in the Federal Register as Notice No. 78 (72 FR 65261)
requesting comments on proposed amendments to our regulations regarding
the use of geographic brand names found in 27 CFR part 4 and the
establishment of American viticultural areas (AVAs) contained in 27 CFR
part 9. The proposed amendments address the effect that the approval of
an AVA may have on established brand names and clarify the rules for
preparing, submitting, and processing viticultural area petitions. TTB
also proposes to add to the regulations statements regarding the
viticultural significance of established viticultural area names, or
key portions of those names, for wine labeling purposes. As originally
published, comments on Notice No. 78 are due on or before January 22,
2008, 60 days after its publication.
Also on November 20, 2007, TTB published Notice No. 77 in the
Federal Register (72 FR 65256), a notice of proposed rulemaking
regarding the establishment of the Calistoga viticultural area in Napa
County, California. Specifically, Notice No. 77 sought comments on a
proposal to provide ``grandfather'' protection for certain brand names
used on existing certificates of label approval. As originally
published, comments on Notice No. 77 are due on or before December 20,
2007, 30 days after its publication.
After the publication of Notice No. 78, TTB received three requests
from wine industry groups to extend that notice's
[[Page 71291]]
comment period. Requests for 60-day extensions were received from the
Napa Valley Vintners, a trade group representing over 300 Napa Valley
(California) vintners, and the Wine Institute, a trade representing
1,100 California wineries and wine-related businesses. The Oregon
Winegrowers Association, a trade association with 239 grape grower and
winery members, requested a 120-day extension.
In support of its extension request, Napa Valley Vintners indicates
that the proposed amendments to the AVA program cannot be considered by
its membership within the announced comment period. The group states
that it only meets once a month, and ``because of the complexity of the
subjects covered in the Notice, the current holiday season and market
visits already scheduled by our winery members during January, we will
be unable to complete our deliberations and finalize our comments until
after our general membership meeting in March.''
The Wine Institute, in its comment period extension request, stated
that Notice No. 78 ``is complex and far-reaching, and will affect many
of our members.'' The Wine Institute also noted that the comment period
deadline for Notice No. 78 runs up against the January 27, 2008,
comment deadline for Notice No. 73, a notice of proposed rulemaking
regarding ``Serving Facts'' labeling for alcohol beverages, ``which is
already demanding a large part of our resources and membership
participation,'' all of which is occurring during the holiday season
when its membership ``is engaged in one of its busiest months of the
year.'' In addition, the group adds that Notice Nos. 77 and 78 deal
with similar issues ``that call for consistent rather than staggered
comment periods.''
The Oregon Winegrowers Association, noting the ``complex and
lengthy'' proposals outlined in Notice No. 78, states that it will
require additional time to thoroughly understand the full impact of the
proposals, acquaint its board members with their meaning, garner
consensus within the industry, and respond in detail to the notice's
proposals.
In response to these requests, TTB extends the original 60-day
comment period for Notice No. 78 for an additional 60 days so that the
comment period will equal 120 days. Therefore, comments on Notice No.
77 are now due on or before March 20, 2008.
Drafting Information
Michael Hoover of the Regulations and Rulings Division drafted this
notice.
Signed: December 11, 2007.
John J. Manfreda,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. E7-24364 Filed 12-14-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4810-31-P