CBP could close Whitetail, Mont., crossing

CBP could close Whitetail, Mont., crossing    U.S. Customs and Border Protection has proposed closing its border crossing station at Whitehall, Mont., due to insufficient traffic.
   'The proposed change is part of CBP’s continuing program to more efficiently utilize its personnel, facilities and resources, and to provide better service to carriers, importers and the general public,' the agency said.
   Whitetail is one of CBP's least trafficked ports. The port has processed less than four privately owned vehicles per day for the past four years. The facility was built in 1964 and has undergone little renovation since then, CBP said.
   On April 1, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) closed the Big Beaver port of entry in Saskatchewan, Canada. Big Beaver is located about 100 yards to the north of the CBP port of Whitetail. CBSA cited low traffic volume and the close proximity of alternate Canadian ports of entry at Regway and Coronach for its reasons to close Big Beaver.
   'Big Beaver’s closure has created a situation where travelers from Canada may continue to enter the United States at Whitetail but travelers leaving the United States for Canada must do so at a port other than Big Beaver,' CBP said.
   The two ports of entry closest to Whitetail are the ports of Raymond and Scobey, both in Montana. Raymond is located about 60 miles east of Whitetail, and Scobey is located about 40 miles west of Whitetail. 'If the port of entry at Whitetail is closed, the traffic normally seen at that port will be processed at these two ports. The port of Raymond operates 24 hours, providing additional convenience to those normally crossing at the port of Whitetail,' CBP said.
   CBP will take comments from the public about the proposed Whitetail border crossing closure through Oct. 24. For more details, access the Federal Register.