Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913
Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913
The saga continues regarding Customs and Border Protection (CBP) wanting to reduce hours at four ports of entry in Montana, while legislators and those who utilize the border see the reductions in hours detrimental to imports, exports and ways of life. Congressman Greg Gianforte, Senator Steve Daines and significant leadership from the Hi-Line, including Valley County Commissioners and the Glasgow Mayor, met on May 2 at the Valley County Courthouse to discuss the impacts the change in hours would have as well as a possible solution that would ideally make all parties involved happy.
During the meeting, those in attendance made their case to CBP of the importance of keeping the extended hours. “In Montana, the number one economic drive is agriculture, and the number one export market for agriculture is Canada,” stated Senator Daines in a press call on May 3. “The common quote for those in attendance [at the meeting on May 2] was ‘Montana farmers and ranchers don’t work banking hours. They need to get across the border for parts, for harvesting.’” In March, CBP announced their plans to cut hours at the Port of Raymond, currently the only 24 hours border crossing in eastern Montana, and move back the hours at Scobey, Opheim and Morgan to “banking hours,” closing at 6 p.m.
CBP did acknowledge with those in attendance their shortcomings when they established it would be in their best interest to change the hours of the four ports. During the month of April, CBP held listening sessions to make their case for the reduction in hours, citing the lack of use during the extended hours as well as a drop in commercial and private traffic, specifically at the Opheim port. However, what CBP did not take into account when determining whether or not to change the hours was the amount of imports and exports that cross the border as well as the economic benefits that it brings to the surrounding communities. “In the middle of harvesting, farmers and ranchers need the ability to get parts across the border,” said Congressman Gianforte. Daines echoed the statement, “[CBP] was ignoring the various reasons Canadians might come to Montana and spend their money.”
According to attendees, during listening sessions held in April, it was apparent CBP did not want to listen to the feedback of those in attendance, they only wanted to make their case on why it was a good idea to change the hours. At the meeting on May 2, “CBP acknowledged their shortcoming when establishing the change in hours. They did not fully hear everyone. They are now committed to listening,” stated Gianforte in the press call. Acknowledging the poor way of handling the situation, CBP held another round of listening sessions last week and those in attendance at the Glasgow meeting held May 3 certainly experienced a different situation this time around. Conversation focused on healthy discussions, with those in attendance making remarks such as “It’s much better this time around.”
CBP’s solution is geared toward reducing work hours and overtime hours, while those affected don’t see a solution of reducing hours being viable. One solution that was discussed during the May 2 meeting was to share facilities and resources with Canada under the U.S.-Canada Agreement on Land, Rail, Marine and Air Transportation Preclearance. “This agreement would allow a remote crossing possibly during off hours to have one Canadian, one U.S. officer working in the same building so they can ensure each other’s security and still keep the port open. That’s what the Canadians proposed. I think it’s a common sense solution,” Gianforte stated in the press call.
“The complete Montana delegation is fighting on behalf of the people on the Hi-Line,” said Daines. Even though Senator Tester was not at the meeting in Glasgow, he has also been vocal to CBP regarding the effects the change in hours would have. “This plan not only impedes trade on the northern border, but weakens our national security. I know Customs and Border Protection has the resources it needs to keep Montana’s Port of Entry open because Congress just gave them funding to hire and deploy 600 new CBP officers to air and land ports across the country,” Tester told the Courier on May 6.
As of press time, the hours at the Opheim, Scobey and Morgan ports are at status quo until all sides and voices are heard regarding the change in hours. The Port of Raymond was supposed to be decreased to 18 hours a day, however due to feedback received from those affected on the impacts of the change, the hours of operation were kept at 24.
For those unable to attend the listening sessions last week, feedback is still being considered in the written form. Submissions can be sent to [email protected].
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