Gov. Doug Burgum is urging U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) not to reduce hours of operation at three ports of entry on the North Dakota-Manitoba border.
The CBP has proposed adjusting hours of operation at the Antler, Carbury and Maida ports of entry. The proposal would move back the closing time from 10 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Maida and Carbury border crossings and from 10 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Antler crossing. In a letter sent Tuesday to the CBP, Burgum noted all three ports of entry saw an increase in automobile and truck crossings in fiscal year 2018. Public meetings on the proposal are being held this week.
“We are committed to maintaining the vital and convenient access between North Dakota and our neighbor and important economic partner, Manitoba,” Burgum said. “While we support efforts to create efficiencies, we are concerned that reducing hours of operation will have negative impacts on tourism, the transfer of goods and the local and regional economies. We urge the CBP to maintain its current hours of operation at these three ports of entry.”