[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 53 (Friday, March 18, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-6285]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: March 18, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
19 CFR Part 101
Realignment of Tampa and Miami Districts
AGENCY: Customs Service, Department of the Treasury.
ACTION: Proposed rule; solicitation of comments.
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SUMMARY: This document proposes to amend the Customs Regulations
governing the Customs field organization by changing the boundaries of
the Tampa District and the Miami District, which lie in the Southeast
Region. The boundaries of these two districts would be altered to
reflect the established judicial districts within the state. This would
be accomplished by transferring the counties of Collier and Hendry to
the Tampa Customs District from the Miami Customs District. The
proposed realignment will allow a more efficient use of Customs
employees and facilitate operations for many of the users of Customs
services. Comments on the desirability of this proposed realignment are
being solicited.
DATES: Comments must be received on of before May 17, 1994.
ADDRESSES: Comments (preferably in triplicate) may be submitted to the
Regulations Branch, Office of Regulations and Rulings, U.S. Customs
Service, Franklin Court, 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC
20229, and may be inspected at Franklin Court, 1099 14th Street, NW.,
Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brad Lund, Office of Inspection and
Control (202) 927-0192.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
Background
As part of its continuing effort to utilize its personnel,
facilities and resources more efficiently, and to provide better
service to the public, importers and carriers, Customs is proposing to
realign the boundaries of its Tampa and Miami Districts. The proposed
realignment would give jurisdiction over all cities and counties along
the West coast of Florida to the Tampa District. This would be
accomplished by removing the counties of Collier and Hendry from the
Miami District and adding them to the Tampa District.
The proposed realignment will permit personnel from the Tampa
District to serve the areas of Collier and Hendry counties which are
currently under the jurisdiction of the Miami District. Currently,
aircraft inspection clearances from Naples, which is in Collier County,
must be coordinated by personnel from the Miami District which is
headquartered approximately 120 miles away while personnel from the
Tampa District are stationed at the Southwest Regional Airport in Fort
Myers, only 20 miles distant.
An additional reason supporting the change is that the proposed
District boundaries would also conform to the current jurisdictional
boundaries of the Customs Office of Enforcement. The enforcement
boundaries were realigned in 1989 so that they would coincide with the
jurisdictional boundaries of the U.S. Attorney's office and provide for
a uniformity of treatment for all penalty and seizure cases instituted
in the state. If the proposed change is adopted, all Customs
transactions can be handled within the same District offices.
Support for the proposal has been voiced by several elements of the
regional importing community who anticipate improved service from a
local headquarters.
It is not anticipated that this proposal will have any impact on
the staffing level in either District.
Proposed Boundaries of Tampa
The proposed new boundaries of the Tampa, Florida, District are as
follows: The North shore of the St. Marys River and the city of St.
Marys Ga., and all the State of Florida except the counties of Indian
River, St. Lucie, Martin, Okeechobee, Palm Beach, Broward, Monroe,
Dade.
Proposed Boundaries of Miami
The proposed new boundaries of the Miami, Florida, District are as
follows: The counties of Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin, Okeechobee,
Palm Beach, Broward, Monroe, and Dade.
If the proposed district boundaries are adopted, the lists of
Customs regions, districts, and ports of entry in 19 CFR 101.3(b) will
be amended accordingly.
Authority
These changes are proposed under the authority of 5 U.S.C. 301, 19
U.S.C. 2, 66, 1202 (General Note 8, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the
United States), 1623, 1624.
Comments
Before adopting this proposal, consideration will be given to any
written comments timely submitted to Customs. Comments submitted will
be available for public inspection in accordance with the Freedom of
Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552), Sec. 1.4 Treasury Department
Regulations (31 CFR 1.4), and Sec. 103.11(b), Customs Regulations (19
CFR 103.11(b)), on regular business days between the hours of 9 a.m.
and 4:30 p.m., at the Regulations Branch, suite 4000, 1099 14th Street
NW., Washington, DC.
Regulatory Flexibility Act and Executive Order 12866
Customs establishes the boundaries of the various districts
throughout the United States to enable it to best perform its mission
and to serve the public as efficiently as possible.. Although this
document is being issued with notice for public comment, it is not
subject to the notice and public procedure requirements of 5 U.S.C. 553
because it relates to agency management and organization. Accordingly,
this document is not subject to the provisions of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.). Because this document relates
to agency organization and management, it is not subject to Executive
Order 12866.
Drafting Information
The principal author of this document was Peter T. Lynch,
Regulations Branch, Office of Regulations and Rulings, U.S. Customs
Service. However, personnel from other offices participated in its
development.
George J. Weise,
Commissioner of Customs.
Approved: February 11, 1994.
John P. Simpson,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Treasury.
[FR Doc. 94-6285 Filed 3-17-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4820-02-P
