CBP Makes Case for New Hours

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection held a town hall on April 2 at the Glasgow Senior Citizens Center to discuss the removal of extended summer hours at the Opheim, Morgan and Scobey ports of entry and the reduction of hours at the Raymond Port. Around 20 members of the public attended the meeting from across northeastern Montana with many of them there to represent government officials and even a representative from the Saskatchewan Parliament was in attendance.

CBP hosted the informational meeting to make their case for the reduction of hours, citing a lack of use during extended hours and a massive drop in commercial and private traffic at the Opheim Port. According to the briefing, an average of 10 cars and less than one commercial truck use the port daily throughout the year. During extended summer hours, the added four hours a day sees approximately two cars and around .04 of a commercial truck. CBP cited the low numbers as positive proof that the Port did not need to maintain its current hours.

According to Director of Field Operations at the Seattle Field Office for CBP Adele Fasano, to extend the hours, the CBP sends two agents from the Sweetgrass Port on Interstate 15, to augment the station in Opheim. After paying for travel, per diem, lodging and overtime, the estimated total cost of the expanded four hours a day for the summer season in Opheim is roughly $80,000.

“So we’re expending a lot of resources, and there isn’t really an established need,” said Fasano.

The meeting had been touted as an information and comment gathering meeting. In starting the meeting Fasano said, “Decisions have not been made,” referring to the hours adjustment and offering a glimmer of hope to the participants who were overwhelmingly against the change. It seemed clear to participants, however, that despite no decision being made, CBP had made it clear that their information did not support the hours being extended for summer operations in June.

One participant commented angrily, “You don’t understand rural Montana and rural Canada. We shouldn’t be discriminated against any more than the people in Seattle. As far as I’m concerned your not serving the public.”

To the comment, Fasano responded calmly, if not coldly, “It’s just not being utilized. It’s just a question of the best use of resources.”

Each comment or question from the public seemed to be against the reduction. Larry Doke, a representative for the Premier of Saskatchewan, read a letter from his government urging CBP to maintain the status quo at all ports along the Montana border. He cited fears that the reductions could harm trade relationships and hurt import and export numbers.

A separate participant stated, “Every time something like this happens [in Northeast Montana], we die a little bit more.” He went on later to say, “My fear is if you reduce those hours it will take a long time to gear back up.”

In a joint letter to CBP urging them to reconsider any reductions in Montana, Senator Steve Daines and Representative Greg Gianforte reminded CBP that agriculture is the number one economic driver of the state and that forcing shippers to change schedules or alter course to get their goods to market is a substantial burden on producers.

The two finished by stating, “Reducing hours of operation at these four Montana ports of entry will disproportionately affect Montana’s rural economy and inhibit economic growth and opportunity. We continue to stand against any action that negatively impacts Montanans and our state’s commerce. We encourage you [CBP] to reevaluate this proposal.”

Senator Jon Tester responded to CBP’s proposal as well, writing to urge them to reconsider the reduction that he claimed would harm rural Montana and ag producers alike.

“Reducing port hours always disadvantages rural America and harms our agricultural competitiveness,” Tester wrote. “This abrupt decision and lack of feedback from farmers and ranchers, shippers, local communities, and our neighbors in Canada represents a deep misunderstanding of the needs of agricultural producers in rural states like Montana.”

“By reducing hours at these ports, some farmers and ranchers will be forced to divert their shipments by significant distances,” Tester continued. “This change will be costly for these producers and could make their products less competitive in the marketplace.”

Any change in hours for the Opheim Port of Entry will occur on June 1. There will not be a reduction of standard hours from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. but there will not be any extended summer hours between June and September which are from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

In a press release CBP said, “[We] want to thank everyone who attended and provided feedback for the proposed adjustments. CBP is now in the process of considering all of the feedback, concerns and information discussed in these town hall meetings as well as feedback sent through [email protected], and is scheduled to announce its decision for the Port of Raymond prior to April 14, and for the Ports of Morgan, Scobey and Opheim prior to June 1.”

Anyone looking for further information or to provide comment can email [email protected].