[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 157 (Tuesday, August 16, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-20030]


  Federal Register / Vol. 59, No. 157 / Tuesday, August 16, 1994 /
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[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: August 16, 1994]


                                                   VOL. 59, NO. 157

                                           Tuesday, August 16, 1994

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Customs Service

19 CFR Part 101

[T.D. 94-68]

 

Realignment of Tampa and Miami Districts

AGENCY: U.S. Customs Service, Department of the Treasury.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This document amends 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 are being altered to reflect the 
established judicial districts within the state. This is being 
accomplished by transferring the counties of Collier and Hendry to the 
Tampa Customs District from the Miami Customs District. The realignment 
will allow a more efficient use of Customs employees and facilitate 
operations for many of the users of Customs services.

EFFECTIVE DATE: September 15, 1994.

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 realigning 
the boundaries of its Tampa and Miami Districts. The realignment gives 
jurisdiction over all cities and counties along the west coast of 
Florida to the Tampa District. This is being accomplished by removing 
the counties of Collier and Hendry from the Miami District and adding 
them to the Tampa District.
    The 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 new District 
boundaries will 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 0U.S. Attorney's office and provide for a uniformity 
of treatment for all liquidated damage, penalty and seizure cases 
instituted in the state. After this change, all Customs transactions 
can be handled within the same District offices.
    Support for this realignment 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 amendment will have any impact on 
the staffing level in either District.

Boundaries of Tampa

    The 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.

Boundaries of Miami

    The 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.

Comments

    Customs published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the Federal 
Register on March 18, 1994 (59 FR 12879) which invited the public to 
comment on the above described realignment of the Tampa and Miami 
District boundaries. No comments were received in response to this 
invitation. Accordingly, the amendment is being published in final as 
it was proposed.

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 after 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 E.O. 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.

List of Subjects in 19 CFR Part 101

    Customs duties and inspection, Exports, Imports, Organizations and 
functions (Government agencies).

Amendment to the Regulations

PART 101--GENERAL PROVISIONS

    1. The authority citation for Part 101 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 19 U.S.C. 2, 66, 1202 (General Note 8, 
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States), 1623, 1624.

    2. Section 101.3(b) is amended by removing the words ``Hendry,'' 
and ``Collier,'' from the list in the Column headed ``Area'' opposite 
the entry for Miami, Fla. in the Southeast Region and also from the 
listing in the ``Area'' column opposite the entry for Tampa, Fla. in 
the Southeast Region.

George J. Weise,
Commissioner of Customs.
    Approved: August 4, 1994.
John P. Simpson,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Treasury.
[FR Doc. 94-20030 Filed 8-15-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4820-02-P