[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 42 (Friday, March 1, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 8001-8002]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-4798]



 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
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 

  Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 42 / Friday, March 1, 1996 / Proposed 
Rules  

[[Page 8001]]


DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Customs Service

19 CFR Part 101


Extension of Port Limits of Columbus, Ohio

AGENCY: 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 port of Columbus, Ohio, to include 
Rickenbacker Airport which is currently operating as a user fee 
airport. The boundary expansion of the Columbus port is proposed 
because enough business within the port has shifted to Rickenbacker 
Airport to make it worthwhile for the Customs Service to plan to 
relocate its port offices there. If the boundaries of the port are 
extended as proposed, the Customs Regulations would also be amended to 
remove Rickenbacker Airport's designation as a user fee airport. 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 April 30, 1996.

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, D.C. 20229. 
Comments submitted may be inspected at the Regulations Branch, Office 
of Regulations and Rulings, 1099 14th Street NW., Suite 4000, 
Washington, D.C. on regular business days between the hours of 9:00 
a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Harry Denning, Office of Field 
Operations, (202) 927-0196.

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 Columbus, Ohio, to include the 
territory encompassing Rickenbacker Airport. Rickenbacker Airport is 
currently a user fee airport. Much business has shifted within the port 
to Rickenbacker Airport to make it worthwhile for Customs to include it 
within the Columbus port boundaries. Customs even plans to relocate its 
offices to Rickenbacker Airport. If the boundaries of the port of 
Columbus are extended as proposed, the Customs Regulations would also 
be amended to remove Rickenbacker Airport from the list of user fee 
airports in Sec. 122.15, Customs Regulations. If the proposal is 
adopted, Customs will use existing staffing to service the expanded 
area of the port of Columbus, Ohio.

Current Port Limits of Columbus

    The current port limits of the port of Columbus, Ohio were 
established in Treasury Decision (T.D.) 82-9, effective February 11, 
1982. The current port limits of the port of Columbus include all of 
the territory within the corporate limits of Columbus, Ohio, all of the 
territory completely surrounded by the city of Columbus, and all of the 
territory enclosed by Interstate Highway 270 (outer belt), which 
completely surrounds the city.

Proposed Extension of Port

    As proposed, the expanded port limits of Columbus, Ohio, would 
encompass the port limits set forth in T.D. 82-9 as well as the 
following territory:
    Beginning at the intersection of Rohr and Lockbourne Roads, then 
proceeding southerly along Lockbourne Road to Commerce Street, thence 
easterly along Commerce Street to its intersection with the N & W 
railroad tracks, then southerly along the N & W railroad tracks to the 
Franklin-Pickaway County line, thence easterly along the Franklin-
Pickaway County line to its intersection with Pontius Road, then 
northerly along Pontius Road to its intersection with Rohr Road, thence 
westerly along Rohr Road to its intersection with Lockbourne Road, the 
point of beginning, all within the County of Franklin, State of Ohio.
    If the proposed extension of the port of Columbus is adopted, the 
limits in the port column adjacent to the listing of Columbus in the 
list of Customs ports of entry in 19 CFR 101.3 and the list of user fee 
airports in 19 CFR 122.15 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, D.C.

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 organization 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 

[[Page 8002]]
from other offices participated in its development.
George J. Weise,
Commissioner of Customs.

    Approved: January 31, 1996.
Dennis M. O'Connell,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Treasury.
[FR Doc. 96-4798 Filed 2-29-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4820-02-P