[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 177 (Wednesday, September 13, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 47504-47505]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-22641]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Customs Service

19 CFR Part 101


Extension of Port Limits of Puget Sound, WA

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

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: This document proposes to amend the Customs Regulations 
pertaining to the field organization of Customs by extending the 
geographical limits of the consolidated port of entry of Puget Sound, 
Washington. The current boundaries are being extended to include the 
portion of King County, Washington, which now lies between the 
boundaries of the Port of Seattle and the Port of Tacoma. The 
boundaries are being changed because various commercial operations 
requiring the services of Customs personnel have been established in 
areas beyond the current limits of the consolidated port.
    This proposed change is being made as part of Customs continuing 
program to obtain more efficient use of its personnel, facilities, and 
resources and to provide better service to carriers, importers, and the 
general public.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before November 13, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Written comments (preferably in triplicate) may be submitted 
to the Regulations Branch, Office of Regulations and Rulings, U.S. 
Customs Service, 1301 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20229. 
Comments submitted may be inspected at the Regulations Branch, Office 
of Regulations and Rulings, 1099 14th Street NW., Suite 4000, 
Washington, DC, on regular business days between the hours of 9:00 a.m. 
and 4:30 p.m.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patricia M. Duffy, Office of Field 
Operations, 202-927-0509.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    As part of a continuing program to obtain more efficient use of its 
personnel, facilities, and resources, and to provide better service to 
carriers, importers, and the general public, Customs proposes to amend 
Sec. 101.3, Customs Regulations (19 CFR 101.3), by extending the 
geographical limits of the Port of Seattle, Washington, which is within 
the consolidated Customs Port of Puget Sound in the Pacific Region.

Current Port Limits of Seattle

    The port limits of the consolidated Customs port of entry of Puget 
Sound, Washington, were established in Treasury Decision (T.D.) 75-130 
of May 21, 1975 (effective July 1, 1975). They were most recently 
extended by T.D. 83-146 of June 23, 1983 (effective August 4, 1983).
    The port limits of the consolidated Port of Puget Sound consist of 
a description of the Port of Seattle as well as a listing of Anacortes, 
Bellingham, Everett, Friday Harbor, Neah Bay, Olympia, Port Angeles, 
Port Townsend, and a description of territory in Tacoma. The current 
boundaries of the Port of Seattle described in the port description of 
Puget Sound are as follows:
    Section 35, Township 27 North, Range 3 East, West Meridian, County 
of Snohomish and the geographical area within the boundaries beginning 
at the intersection of NW. 205th Street and the waters of Puget Sound, 
proceeding in an easterly direction along the King County line to its 
intersection with 100th Avenue, NE., thence southerly along 100th 
Avenue, NE. and its continuation to the intersection of 100th Avenue, 
SE. and 240th Street, SE., thence westerly along 240th Street SE., and 
south, to its intersection with the waters of Puget Sound and then 
northerly along the shores of Puget Sound to its intersection with NW. 
205th Street, the point of beginning, County of King, all within the 
State of Washington.

Proposed Expansion of Port

    Customs is now proposing to expand the Port of Seattle by extending 
the southern boundary of the Port of Seattle to the King-Pierce County 
line. The southern boundary, if so extended, would convene with the 
existing northern boundary of the port of entry at Tacoma, Washington. 
The new boundary for the Port of Seattle will then be section 85, 
Township 27 North, Range 3 East, West Meridian, County of Snohomish.
    This proposed expansion of the Seattle port limits would provide a 
continuous area of service from Tacoma's Commencement Bay to Seattle's 
Elliot Bay, and would align the port in a manner already identified by 
the trade as beneficial due to the central location between Seattle and 
Tacoma.
    Expansion of the port limits would improve service to the public, 
clarify resource allocations for facilities within the expanded area, 
and allow beneficial commercial development within the consolidated 
port of entry of Puget Sound.
    The District of Seattle will use existing staffing to service the 
expanded 

[[Page 47505]]
area of the consolidated Port of Puget Sound. The Regional Commissioner 
supports the expansion request with the stipulation that no additional 
staff will be required to operate the expanded facilities and marinas.

Proposed Seattle Port Limits

    The geographical area within the proposed new boundaries will be as 
follows:
    Beginning at the intersection of NW. 205th Street and the waters of 
Puget Sound, proceeding in an easterly direction along the King County 
line to its intersection with 100th Avenue, NE., thence southerly along 
100th Avenue, NE. and its continuation to the intersection of 100th 
Avenue, SE. and 240th Street, SE., thence westerly along 240th Street, 
SE. to its intersection with North Central Avenue., thence southerly 
along North Central Avenue, its continuation as South Central Avenue 
and 83rd Avenue South and its connection to Auburn Way North, thence 
southerly along Auburn Way North and its continuation as Auburn Way 
South to its intersection with State Highway 18, thence westerly along 
Highway 18 to its intersection with A Street, SE., then southerly along 
A Street, SE. to its intersection with the King County Line, then 
westerly along the King County Line to its intersection with the waters 
of Puget Sound and then northerly along the shores of Puget Sound to 
its intersection with NW. 205th Street, the point of beginning, all 
within the County of King, State of Washington.
    If the proposed extension of the consolidated port of entry of 
Puget Sound is adopted, the list of Customs ports of entries in 19 CFR 
101.3(b) will be amended accordingly.

Comments

    Prior to adoption of this proposal, consideration will be given to 
written comments timely submitted to Customs. Submitted comments will 
be available for public inspection in accordance with the Freedom of 
Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552), Section 1.4, Treasury Department 
Regulations (31 CFR 1.4), and section 103.11(b), Customs Regulations 
(19 CFR 103.11(b)), on regular business days between the hours of 9:00 
a.m. and 4:30 p.m., at the Regulations Branch, Office of Regulations 
and Rulings, 1099 14th Street NW., Suite 4000, Washington, DC.

Authority

    This change is proposed under the authority of 5 U.S.C. 301 and 19 
U.S.C. 2, 66, and 1624.

The Regulatory Flexibility Act and Executive Order 12866

    Customs routinely establishes, expands, and consolidates Customs 
ports of entry throughout the United States to accommodate the volume 
of Customs-related activity in various parts of the country. Thus, 
although this document is being issued with notice for public comment, 
because it relates to agency management and organization it is not 
subject to the notice and public procedure requirements of 5 U.S.C. 
553. Accordingly, this document is not subject to the provisions of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.). Agency 
reorganization matters such as this proposed port extension are exempt 
from consideration under Executive Order 12866.

Drafting Information

    The principal author of this document was Janet L. Johnson, 
Regulations Branch. However, personnel from other office participated 
in its development.
George J. Weise,
Commissioner of Customs.
    Approved: August 24, 1995.
Dennis M. O'Connell,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Treasury.
[FR Doc. 95-22641 Filed 9-12-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4820-02-P