[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