Extension of Port Limits of Puget Sound, WA

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Customs Service

19 CFR Part 101

Extension of Port Limits of Puget Sound, WA

AGENCY: U.S. Customs Service, Department of the Treasury.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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

SUMMARY: This document proposes to amend the Customs Regulations

pertaining to the field organization of Customs by extending the

geographical limits of the consolidated port of entry of Puget Sound,

Washington. The current boundaries are being extended to include the

portion of King County, Washington, which now lies between the

boundaries of the Port of Seattle and the Port of Tacoma. The

boundaries are being changed because various commercial operations

requiring the services of Customs personnel have been established in

areas beyond the current limits of the consolidated port.

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 November 13, 1995.

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, DC 20229.

Comments submitted may be inspected at the Regulations Branch, Office

of Regulations and Rulings, 1099 14th Street NW., Suite 4000,

Washington, DC, on regular business days between the hours of 9:00 a.m.

and 4:30 p.m.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patricia M. Duffy, Office of Field

Operations, 202-927-0509.

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 Seattle, Washington, which is within

the consolidated Customs Port of Puget Sound in the Pacific Region.

Current Port Limits of Seattle

The port limits of the consolidated Customs port of entry of Puget

Sound, Washington, were established in Treasury Decision (T.D.) 75-130

of May 21, 1975 (effective July 1, 1975). They were most recently

extended by T.D. 83-146 of June 23, 1983 (effective August 4, 1983).

The port limits of the consolidated Port of Puget Sound consist of

a description of the Port of Seattle as well as a listing of Anacortes,

Bellingham, Everett, Friday Harbor, Neah Bay, Olympia, Port Angeles,

Port Townsend, and a description of territory in Tacoma. The current

boundaries of the Port of Seattle described in the port description of

Puget Sound are as follows:

Section 35, Township 27 North, Range 3 East, West Meridian, County

of Snohomish and the geographical area within the boundaries beginning

at the intersection of NW. 205th Street and the waters of Puget Sound,

proceeding in an easterly direction along the King County line to its

intersection with 100th Avenue, NE., thence southerly along 100th

Avenue, NE. and its continuation to the intersection of 100th Avenue,

SE. and 240th Street, SE., thence westerly along 240th Street SE., and

south, to its intersection with the waters of Puget Sound and then

northerly along the shores of Puget Sound to its intersection with NW.

205th Street, the point of beginning, County of King, all within the

State of Washington.

Proposed Expansion of Port

Customs is now proposing to expand the Port of Seattle by extending

the southern boundary of the Port of Seattle to the King-Pierce County

line. The southern boundary, if so extended, would convene with the

existing northern boundary of the port of entry at Tacoma, Washington.

The new boundary for the Port of Seattle will then be section 85,

Township 27 North, Range 3 East, West Meridian, County of Snohomish.

This proposed expansion of the Seattle port limits would provide a

continuous area of service from Tacoma's Commencement Bay to Seattle's

Elliot Bay, and would align the port in a manner already identified by

the trade as beneficial due to the central location between Seattle and

Tacoma.

Expansion of the port limits would improve service to the public,

clarify resource allocations for facilities within the expanded area,

and allow beneficial commercial development within the consolidated

port of entry of Puget Sound.

The District of Seattle will use existing staffing to service the

expanded

area of the consolidated Port of Puget Sound. The Regional Commissioner

supports the expansion request with the stipulation that no additional

staff will be required to operate the expanded facilities and marinas.

Proposed Seattle Port Limits

The geographical area within the proposed new boundaries will be as

follows:

Beginning at the intersection of NW. 205th Street and the waters of

Puget Sound, proceeding in an easterly direction along the King County

line to its intersection with 100th Avenue, NE., thence southerly along

100th Avenue, NE. and its continuation to the intersection of 100th

Avenue, SE. and 240th Street, SE., thence westerly along 240th Street,

SE. to its intersection with North Central Avenue., thence southerly

along North Central Avenue, its continuation as South Central Avenue

and 83rd Avenue South and its connection to Auburn Way North, thence

southerly along Auburn Way North and its continuation as Auburn Way

South to its intersection with State Highway 18, thence westerly along

Highway 18 to its intersection with A Street, SE., then southerly along

A Street, SE. to its intersection with the King County Line, then

westerly along the King County Line to its intersection with the waters

of Puget Sound and then northerly along the shores of Puget Sound to

its intersection with NW. 205th Street, the point of beginning, all

within the County of King, State of Washington.

If the proposed extension of the consolidated port of entry of

Puget Sound is adopted, the list of Customs ports of entries in 19 CFR

101.3(b) 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, DC.

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

reorganization 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 office participated

in its development.

George J. Weise,

Commissioner of Customs.

Approved: August 24, 1995.

Dennis M. O'Connell,

Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Treasury.

[FR Doc. 95-22641 Filed 9-12-95; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4820-02-P