[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 103 (Tuesday, May 31, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30964-30965]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-10700]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Bureau of Customs and Border Protection


Automated Commercial Environment (ACE): National Customs 
Automation Program Test of Automated Truck Manifest for Truck Carrier 
Accounts; Deployment Schedule

AGENCY: Customs and Border Protection; Department of Homeland Security.

ACTION: General notice.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, in conjunction 
with the Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety 
Administration, is currently conducting a National Customs Automation 
Program (NCAP) test concerning the transmission of automated truck 
manifest data. This document announces a modification of the deployment 
schedule for this test.

DATES: The test will be operational as of June 1, 2005, at each port 
identified in this notice as part of the first cluster of ports where 
the test will be deployed. Comments concerning this notice and all 
aspects of the announced test may be submitted at any time during the 
test period.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Thomas Fitzpatrick via e-mail at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The National Customs Automation Program (NCAP) test concerning the 
transmission of automated truck manifest data for truck carrier 
accounts was announced in a General Notice published in the Federal 
Register (69 FR 55167) on September 13, 2004. That notice stated that 
the test of the Automated Truck Manifest will be conducted in a phased 
approach, with primary deployment scheduled for no earlier than 
November 29, 2004. The document identified the ports of Blaine, 
Washington, and Buffalo, New York, as the original deployment sites.
    The September 13, 2004, notice stated that subsequent deployment of 
the test will occur at Champlain, New York; Detroit, Michigan; Laredo, 
Texas; Otay Mesa, California; and Port Huron, Michigan, on dates to be 
announced. The notice stated that the Bureau of Customs and Border 
Protection (CBP) would announce the implementation and sequencing of 
truck manifest functionality at these ports as they occur. The test is 
to be expanded eventually to include ACE Truck Carrier Account 
participants at all land border ports, and subsequent releases of ACE 
will include all modes of transportation. The September 13, 2004, 
notice announced that additional participants and ports will be 
selected throughout the duration of the test.

Implementation of the Test

    The test commenced in Blaine, Washington, in December 2004, but not 
at Buffalo, New York. In light of experience with the implementation of 
the test in Blaine, Washington, CBP has decided to change the 
implementation schedule. Buffalo, New York, will not be the next test 
site.
    The next deployment sites will be brought up as a cluster. One site 
in the cluster will be identified as the ``model site'' for the 
cluster. This deployment strategy will allow for more efficient 
equipment set-up, site checkouts, port briefings and central training.
    The ports identified belonging to the first cluster include the 
original port of implementation--Blaine, Washington. However, Sumas, 
Washington, will be the model port. The other ports of deployment in 
the cluster include the following: Point Roberts, WA; Oroville, WA 
(including sub ports); Boundary, WA; Danville, WA; Ferry, WA; Frontier, 
WA; Laurier, WA; Metaline Falls, WA; Nighthawk, WA; and Lynden, WA.

Previous Notices

    On Monday, March 21, 2005, a General Notice was published in the 
Federal Register (70 FR 13514) announcing a modification to the NCAP 
test to clarify that all relevant data elements are required to be 
submitted in the automated truck manifest submission. That notice did 
not

[[Page 30965]]

announce any change to the deployment schedule and is not affected by 
publication of this notice. All requirements and aspects of the test 
discussed in the March 21, 2005 notice, or any other previous notices, 
except to the extent expressly modified by this new notice, are hereby 
incorporated by reference into this notice and continue to be 
applicable.

    Dated: May 19, 2005.
Jayson P. Ahern,
Assistant Commissioner, Office of Field Operations.
[FR Doc. 05-10700 Filed 5-27-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4820-02-P