Extension of Port Limits of Columbus, Ohio

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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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