CBP Reduces POE Hour Reductions

In a slight softening of their initial proposal, Customs and Border Protection has decided to reduce the hours of operation at ports in Scobey, Morgan and Opheim starting June 1. Originally CBP had sought to eliminate the extended summer hours at the port and go to a year-round 9 a.m to 6 p.m. operation. Citing feedback from the community and elected officials, CBP has decided to amend the hours to go from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. year-round.

The decision to amend the hours follows closely on a separate CBP reversal where the agency backtracked on changing hours at the Port of Raymond near Plentywood, Mont. Initially the agency had intended to reduce hours at the port to 18 hours a day from 24 hours a day, but only a week after announcing the change, CBP had reinstated the 24/7 hours, citing feedback from the community and elected officials.

The reversals came after months of push back and listening sessions with the local communities and after the intercession of Montana’s elected officials in D.C.

Congressman Greg Gianforte and Senator Steve Daines said that after receiving complaints from the public that the first round of listening sessions were more like “telling session,” the duo pushed CBP leadership to re-address concerns and hold a second round of listening sessions. They cited that second round of listening sessions as the reason for CBP’s reversal on the ports of entry hours.

“CBP’s initial heavy-handed approach ignored Montanans and produced a wrongheaded proposal. Working together, we brought them to the table and had them listen to Montanans describe the harm CBP’s proposed cuts would cause,” Gianforte said.

Gianforte highlighted the efforts of himself and Sen. Daines to prevent the action by CBP as far back as March, when he and the Sen. sent a letter addressing their concerns. It was after the listening sessions, however, that the two decided to get personally involved, and held meetings between the local leaders, mayors, business owners and CBP officials that directly presented the concerns of locals to the agency.

“To give them credit,” said Gianforte referring to CBP, “they actually listened.”

Gianforte and Daines reiterated the negative effects that the proposal would have had on the Hi-Line communities, farmers and business owners along the Hi-Line. They cited events attended by Canadians such as the race track in Malta, and they pointed out the need for farmers to have constant access to implement parts dealers in Canada.

“For all of our ag producers along the Hi-Line,” said Gianforte. “During growing season a 24/7 port is essential for access to the largest John Deere parts retailer in the area.”

Sen. Daines reiterated that point by stating, “I think the biggest win is keeping that Port of Raymond open 24/7.” The Senator also pointed out that CBP has considered special access and said that with two-weeks notice, the port hours can be extended for special events, and that they can always be accessed for emergency traffic using standing procedures.

As for future plans, Sen. Daines stated there are currently no plans to change the current hours of operation again. He added that there is consideration for a joint resource sharing venture with the Canadian port to share resources and jointly ensure officer safety, but no timeline for such a proposal has been presented.