[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 96 (Wednesday, May 17, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31262-31263]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-12365]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Customs Service

19 CFR Part 101

[T.D. 00-35]


Extension of Port Limits of Puget Sound, WA

AGENCY: Customs Service, Treasury.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This document amends the Customs Regulations pertaining to the 
field organization of Customs by extending the geographical limits of 
the consolidated port of Puget Sound, Washington. 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: June 16, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Betsy Passuth, Office of Field 
Operations, Mission Support Service, 202-927-0795.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking was published in the Federal 
Register (64 FR 61232) of November 10, 1999, which proposed to extend 
the geographical limits of the consolidated port of Puget Sound by 
extending and redefining the boundaries of Tacoma.
    The description of Tacoma within the description of the Puget Sound 
port was proposed to be extended to include two industrial parks which 
have new facilities for clearing, storing and forwarding imported 
merchandise and require the services of Customs personnel.

Analysis of Comment

    One comment was received in response to the proposal. This comment 
strongly supported the proposal to extend and redefine the boundaries 
of the port of Puget Sound, Washington.

Conclusion

    In light of the favorable comment received and after further 
consideration of the matter, Customs has decided to proceed with the 
extension of the geographical limits of the port of Puget Sound, 
Washington.

New Port Limits

    As amended, the geographical area within the boundaries of the 
consolidated port of Puget Sound is as follows:

[[Page 31263]]

    The ports of Seattle (Section 35, Township 27 North, Range 3 East, 
West Meridian, County of Snohomish, and the geographical area beginning 
at the intersection of N.W. 205th Street and the waters of Puget Sound, 
proceeding in an easterly direction along the King County line to its 
intersection with 100th Avenue N.E., thence southerly along 100th 
Avenue N.E. and its continuation to the intersection of 100th Avenue 
S.E. and S.E. 240th Street, thence westerly along S.E. 240th Street, 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 S.E., then southerly along A Street S.E. 
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 
N.W. 205th Street, the point of beginning, all within the County of 
King, State of Washington), Anacortes, Bellingham, Everett, Friday 
Harbor, Neah Bay, Olympia, Port Angeles, Port Townsend, and the 
territory in Tacoma, beginning at the intersection of the westernmost 
city limits of Steilacoom and The Narrows and proceeding easterly along 
Main Street to the intersection of Stevens Street, then southerly along 
Stevens Street to the intersection of Washington Boulevard, then 
easterly along Washington Boulevard to the intersection of Gravely Lake 
Drive S.W., then southeasterly to the intersection of Nyanza Road, SW, 
then southerly to its intersection with Pacific Highway (U.S. Route 
99), then proceeding in a northeasterly direction along Pacific Highway 
to its intersection with 112 Street East and continuing in an easterly 
direction along 112 Street East to its intersection with the northwest 
corner of McChord Air Force Base, then proceeding along the northern, 
then western, then southern boundary of McChord Air Force Base to its 
intersection, just west of Lake Mondress, with the northern boundary of 
the Fort Lewis Military Reservation, then proceeding in an easterly 
direction along the northern boundary of the Fort Lewis Military 
Reservation to its intersection with Pacific Avenue (SR-7), then 
proceeding in a southerly direction along Pacific Avenue (SR-7) to its 
intersection with SR-507, then proceeding in a southeasterly direction 
along SR-7 to its intersection with 224th Street East, then proceeding 
in an easterly direction along 224th Street East to its intersection 
with Meridian Street South (SR-161), then proceeding in a northerly 
direction along Meridian Street South (SR-161) to the intersection with 
176 Street East, then easterly along 176 Street East extended to the 
intersection with Sunrise Parkway East, then northwesterly along 
Sunrise Parkway East to the intersection with 122nd Avenue East, then 
northerly to the intersection with Old Military Road East, then 
northeasterly to the intersection with SR-162, then northerly along SR-
162 to the intersection with SR-410, then easterly along SR-410 to the 
intersection with 166th Avenue East, then northerly to the intersection 
with Sumner-Tapps Highway, continuing northeasterly along Sumner-Tapps 
Highway to 16th Street East, then easterly to 182 Avenue East, then 
northerly to the northern boundary of Pierce County, then proceeding in 
a westerly direction along the northern boundary of Pierce County to 
its intersection with Puget Sound, then proceeding in a generally 
southwesterly direction along the banks of the East Passage of Puget 
Sound, Commencement Bay, and The Narrows to the point of intersection 
with the westernmost city limits of Steilacoom, Washington, including 
all points and places on the southern boundary of the Juan de Fuca 
Strait from the eastern port limits of Neah Bay to the western port 
limits of Port Townsend, all points and places on the western boundary 
of Puget Sound, including Hood Canal, from the port limits of Port 
Townsend to the northern port limits of Olympia, all points and places 
on the southern boundary of Puget Sound from the port limits of Olympia 
to the western port limits of Tacoma, and all points and places on the 
eastern boundary of Puget Sound and contiguous waters from the port 
limits of Tacoma north to the southern port limits of Bellingham, all 
in the State of Washington.

Authority

    This change is being made under the authority of 5 U.S.C. 301 and 
19 U.S.C. 2, 66 and 1624.

Regulatory Flexibility Act and Executive Order 12866

    Customs 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. Although a 
notice was issued for public comment on this subject matter, because 
this document relates to agency management and organization, it is not 
subject to the notice and 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 port extension are not subject to 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 in 19 CFR Part 101

    Customs duties and inspection, Exports, Imports, Organization and 
functions (Government agencies).

Amendment to the Regulations

    For the reasons set forth above, part 101 of the Customs 
Regulations is 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, 1646a. 
Sections 101.3 and 101.4 also issued under 19 U.S.C. 1 and 58b.
* * * * *


Sec. 101.3  [Amended]

    2. In the list of ports in Sec. 101.3(b)(1), under the state of 
Washington, the ``Limits of port'' column adjacent to ``Puget Sound'' 
in the ``Ports of entry'' column is amended by removing the reference 
``T.D. 96-63'' and adding in its place ``T.D. 00-35''.

Raymond W. Kelly,
Commissioner of Customs.
    Approved: March 30, 2000.
John P. Simpson,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Treasury.
[FR Doc. 00-12365 Filed 5-16-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4820-02-P