[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 53 (Friday, March 18, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-6285]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: March 18, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
19 CFR Part 101

 

Realignment of Tampa and Miami Districts

AGENCY: Customs Service, Department of the Treasury.

ACTION: Proposed rule; solicitation of comments.

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SUMMARY: This document proposes to amend the Customs Regulations 
governing the Customs field organization by changing the boundaries of 
the Tampa District and the Miami District, which lie in the Southeast 
Region. The boundaries of these two districts would be altered to 
reflect the established judicial districts within the state. This would 
be accomplished by transferring the counties of Collier and Hendry to 
the Tampa Customs District from the Miami Customs District. The 
proposed realignment will allow a more efficient use of Customs 
employees and facilitate operations for many of the users of Customs 
services. Comments on the desirability of this proposed realignment are 
being solicited.

DATES: Comments must be received on of before May 17, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Comments (preferably in triplicate) may be submitted to the 
Regulations Branch, Office of Regulations and Rulings, U.S. Customs 
Service, Franklin Court, 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 
20229, and may be inspected at Franklin Court, 1099 14th Street, NW., 
Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brad Lund, Office of Inspection and 
Control (202) 927-0192.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

Background

    As part of its continuing effort to utilize its personnel, 
facilities and resources more efficiently, and to provide better 
service to the public, importers and carriers, Customs is proposing to 
realign the boundaries of its Tampa and Miami Districts. The proposed 
realignment would give jurisdiction over all cities and counties along 
the West coast of Florida to the Tampa District. This would be 
accomplished by removing the counties of Collier and Hendry from the 
Miami District and adding them to the Tampa District.
    The proposed realignment will permit personnel from the Tampa 
District to serve the areas of Collier and Hendry counties which are 
currently under the jurisdiction of the Miami District. Currently, 
aircraft inspection clearances from Naples, which is in Collier County, 
must be coordinated by personnel from the Miami District which is 
headquartered approximately 120 miles away while personnel from the 
Tampa District are stationed at the Southwest Regional Airport in Fort 
Myers, only 20 miles distant.
    An additional reason supporting the change is that the proposed 
District boundaries would also conform to the current jurisdictional 
boundaries of the Customs Office of Enforcement. The enforcement 
boundaries were realigned in 1989 so that they would coincide with the 
jurisdictional boundaries of the U.S. Attorney's office and provide for 
a uniformity of treatment for all penalty and seizure cases instituted 
in the state. If the proposed change is adopted, all Customs 
transactions can be handled within the same District offices.
    Support for the proposal has been voiced by several elements of the 
regional importing community who anticipate improved service from a 
local headquarters.
    It is not anticipated that this proposal will have any impact on 
the staffing level in either District.

Proposed Boundaries of Tampa

    The proposed new boundaries of the Tampa, Florida, District are as 
follows: The North shore of the St. Marys River and the city of St. 
Marys Ga., and all the State of Florida except the counties of Indian 
River, St. Lucie, Martin, Okeechobee, Palm Beach, Broward, Monroe, 
Dade.

Proposed Boundaries of Miami

    The proposed new boundaries of the Miami, Florida, District are as 
follows: The counties of Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin, Okeechobee, 
Palm Beach, Broward, Monroe, and Dade.
    If the proposed district boundaries are adopted, the lists of 
Customs regions, districts, and ports of entry in 19 CFR 101.3(b) will 
be amended accordingly.

Authority

    These changes are proposed under the authority of 5 U.S.C. 301, 19 
U.S.C. 2, 66, 1202 (General Note 8, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the 
United States), 1623, 1624.

Comments

    Before adopting this proposal, consideration will be given to any 
written comments timely submitted to Customs. Comments submitted will 
be available for public inspection in accordance with the Freedom of 
Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552), Sec. 1.4 Treasury Department 
Regulations (31 CFR 1.4), and Sec. 103.11(b), Customs Regulations (19 
CFR 103.11(b)), on regular business days between the hours of 9 a.m. 
and 4:30 p.m., at the Regulations Branch, suite 4000, 1099 14th Street 
NW., Washington, DC.

Regulatory Flexibility Act and Executive Order 12866

    Customs establishes the boundaries of the various districts 
throughout the United States to enable it to best perform its mission 
and to serve the public as efficiently as possible.. Although this 
document is being issued with notice for public comment, it is not 
subject to the notice and public procedure requirements of 5 U.S.C. 553 
because it relates to agency management and organization. Accordingly, 
this document is not subject to the provisions of the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.). Because this document relates 
to agency organization and management, it is not subject to Executive 
Order 12866.

Drafting Information

    The principal author of this document was Peter T. Lynch, 
Regulations Branch, Office of Regulations and Rulings, U.S. Customs 
Service. However, personnel from other offices participated in its 
development.
 George J. Weise,
Commissioner of Customs.

    Approved: February 11, 1994.
John P. Simpson,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Treasury.
[FR Doc. 94-6285 Filed 3-17-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4820-02-P