[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 182 (Wednesday, September 18, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49058-49059]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-23896]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Customs Service

19 CFR Part 101

[T.D. 96-67]


Extension of Port Limits of Columbus, Ohio

AGENCY: Customs Service, Department of the Treasury.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This document amends the Customs Regulations pertaining to the 
field organization of Customs by extending the geographical limits of 
the port of Columbus, Ohio, to include Rickenbacker International 
Airport, which is currently operating as a user fee airport. The 
boundary expansion of the Columbus port has occurred because of 
increased business at Rickenbacker International Airport. The Customs 
Regulations are also being amended to remove Rickenbacker International 
Airport's designation as a user fee airport. This 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.

EFFECTIVE DATE: October 18, 1996.

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 is amending 
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 International Airport, which is 
currently a user fee airport.
    Enough business has shifted from within the port to Rickenbacker 
International Airport to make it worthwhile for Customs to include the 
airport within the Columbus port boundaries. Customs even plans to 
relocate its offices to Rickenbacker International Airport.
    The Customs Regulations are also being amended to remove 
Rickenbacker International Airport from the list of user fee airports 
in Sec. 122.15, Customs Regulations. Customs will use existing staffing 
to service the expanded area of the port of Columbus, Ohio.

Comments and Analysis

    A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) was published in the Federal 
Register (61 FR 8001) on March 1, 1996, which discussed the proposed 
extension of the Port of Columbus. As a result of the NPRM, two 
comments were received.
    The comments were from the Columbus Airport Authority and the 
Department of Trade and Development of the City of Columbus. The 
comments do not oppose the extension of the port limits of the Port of 
Columbus, but they are concerned with maintaining the level of Customs 
services at Port Columbus International Airport.
    The Columbus Airport Authority, which operates Port Columbus 
International Airport where the Customs offices are currently located, 
requests assurances that there will be no lowering of the current level 
of services. It also wishes the Customs Service to provide the required 
services for a projected growth in international flights.
    The Department of Trade and Development comment explores the 
planned long term development of Port Columbus International Airport. 
The airport expects growth in international service as a result of 
recent negotiations involving the potential Canadian market for flights 
to Columbus and as part of its

[[Page 49059]]

membership in the United States Airports for Better International Air 
Service. At the same time, the Department is involved in expanding the 
capabilities of Rickenbacker International Airport. The Department is 
concerned with the long term economic viability of both airports.
    The Customs Service wishes to emphasize that the extension of the 
Port of Columbus limits to include Rickenbacker International Airport 
and the move of the port Customs office to Rickenbacker International 
Airport will not affect Customs service at either airport. Rickenbacker 
International Airport was a designated user fee airport. Now that the 
extension of the Port of Columbus is final, the airport will get 
regular Customs service. The Port Columbus International Airport will 
continue to receive its regular Customs service.
    The Customs Service assures both commenters that there will be no 
change in the level of Customs service at either facility. Furthermore, 
Customs anticipates that it will be able to provide sufficient 
resources to process the increase in workload foreseen by the 
commenters.

Conclusion

    Inasmuch as the comments are favorable toward the change as long as 
the current levels of Customs service are maintained and Customs 
anticipates no change in the level of service at either Rickenbacker 
International Airport or the Port Columbus International Airport, 
Customs is proceeding with the amendment.

Port Limits

    The previous port limits of the port of Columbus, Ohio, established 
in Treasury Decision (T.D.) 82-9, included 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.
    The expanded port limits of Columbus, Ohio, 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.

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 from other offices participated 
in its development.

List of Subjects

19 CFR Part 101

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

19 CFR Part 122

    Administrative practice and procedure, Air carriers, Aircraft, 
Airports, Customs duties and inspection, Freight, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements.

Amendments to the Regulations

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, part 101 and part 122 of 
the Customs Regulations are amended as set forth below.

PART 101--GENERAL PROVISIONS

    1. The general authority citation for part 101 and the specific 
authority citation for Sec. 101.3 continue to read as follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301, 19 U.S.C. 2, 66, 1202 (General Note 20, 
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States), 1623, 1624.

    Sections 101.3 and 101.4 also issued under 19 U.S.C. 1 and 58b;
* * * * *


Sec. 101.3  [Amended]

    2. Section 101.3(b)(1) is amended by removing the reference ``T.D. 
82-9'' in the ``Limits of port'' column adjacent to the entry of 
Columbus in the ``Ports of entry'' column under the state of Ohio and 
by adding the reference ``T.D. 96-67'' in its place.

PART 122--AIR COMMERCE REGULATIONS

    1. The general authority citation for part 122 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 19 U.S.C. 58b, 66, 1433, 1436, 1459, 
1590, 1594, 1623, 1624, 1644; 49 U.S.C. App. 1509.


Sec. 122.15  [Amended]

    2. The list of user fee airports in Sec. 122.15(b) is amended by 
removing ``Columbus, Ohio'' from the left column labelled ``Location'' 
and by removing ``Rickenbacker Airport'' from the adjacent right column 
labelled ``Name.''
George J. Weise,
Commissioner of Customs.
    Approved: August 29, 1996.
Dennis M. O'Connell,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Treasury.
[FR Doc. 96-23896 Filed 9-17-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4820-02-P