[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]
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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
