Rockpile Viticultural Area Established
By Nancy Sutton (202) 927-8210

On February 28, 2002, the Federal Register published a Final Rule that establishes the Rockpile viticultural area. The rule is to become effective on April 29, 2002, as 27 CFR Section 9.173.

This 15,400-acre area, located above the 800-foot elevation line, is in northwest Sonoma County, California. It includes 11 vineyards, with about 160 acres of planted wine grapes. The area is characterized by its small rocks, gravel mixed with topsoil, and some outcroppings of larger rock. The Rockpile name dates back to an 1858 cattle ranch in the area. In 1911, part of the ranch, 21,000 acres, was converted to a hunting and sheep-raising operation. The area was renamed "La Roca Monte Rancho," or the Rocky Peak Ranch in Spanish, but it continued to be referred to as, simply, Rockpile. With the coming of the Great Depression, much of the area was subdivided and sold. Today, the Rockpile area is accessible by the winding, climbing Rockpile Road. q

Delegation of Authority for Part 251 Published
By Robert P. Ruhf (202) 927-8210

Treasury Decision ATF-474, Delegation of Authority, was published on March 13, 2002, in the Federal Register. This Final Rule rescinds all previously delegated authorities of the Director in 27 CFR part 251, Importation of Distilled Spirits, Wines, and Beer. It places them, as well as those authorities not previously delegated, with the "appropriate ATF officer." This action will both simplify determining which officer is authorized to perform a particular function and lighten the Bureau's administrative burden. "Appropriate ATF officers" are specified in the related ATF Delegation Order, ATF Order 1130.12, which was published concurrently and is available to the public. Through this instrument, the Director delegates all authorities as appropriate and specifies those officers who will receive applications, notices, and other reports, which are not ATF forms.

In addition, T.D. ATF-474 requires that people file documents with the "appropriate ATF officer" or as instructed by an ATF form required by 27 CFR part 251. Finally, the rule makes conforming changes to regulations in part 251 and removes those that are obsolete. q

Federal Reserve Bank Consolidates
By Margaret Nawalaniec (513) 684-3334

Many ATF regulated establishments must obtain "insurance" coverage in the form of a bond. While most of these businesses obtain their bond through a surety company, there are some who choose to obtain "collateral" security rather than a bond. This form of "insurance" may be a US Treasury Note or other obligation that is unconditionally guaranteed for both interest and principle by the United States Government. Formerly, there were ten Federal Reserve Banks to administer collateral securities. This changed, however, as of January 14, 2002. The administration and processing of 31 C.F.R. 225 (formerly Circular 154) collateral services has been consolidated and is now being handled exclusively by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. This consolidation will allow the Federal