[Federal Register: December 2, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 231)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 71512-71513]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr02de02-38]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Customs Service
19 CFR Parts 122 and 123
RIN 1515-AC73
Private Aircraft Programs: Establishment of the General Aviation
Telephonic Entry (GATE) Program and Revisions to the Overflight Program
AGENCY: Customs Service, Treasury.
ACTION: Notice of withdrawal of proposed rulemaking.
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SUMMARY: This document informs the public that Customs has decided to
withdraw its proposal to both establish a regulatory framework for the
General Aviation Telephonic Entry (GATE) Program and revise the
Overflight Program regulations. The withdrawal of the proposed
rulemaking is based on Customs reconsideration of all aircraft entry
procedures since the events of September 11, 2001.
EFFECTIVE DATE: December 2, 2002.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth Tritt, Passenger Processing,
Office of Field Operations; telephone (202) 927-4434.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On August 3, 2001, Customs published a document in the Federal
Register (66 FR 40649) proposing to amend the Customs Regulations
pertaining to private aircraft programs. The amendments proposed to
establish the General Aviation Telephonic Entry (GATE) Program--a
voluntary program that was designed to facilitate Customs processing of
certain pre-qualified frequent travelers on pre-registered general
aviation aircraft arriving in the United States directly from Canada.
The amendments also proposed to revise certain aspects of the
Overflight Program--a voluntary program that exempts certain private
aircraft arriving in the continental United States via certain areas
south of the United States from the special landing requirement
applicable to such aircraft. The proposed revisions of the Overflight
Program would have modified the application process to standardize and
streamline the information required and provide for centralized
processing of requests for overflight privileges.
Comments on the proposed amendment to the Customs Regulations were
solicited for 60 days.
Six comments were received in response to this proposal. All of the
comments were favorable to the private aircraft programs, but certain
clarifications were requested.
The GATE Program had been operated on a test basis and allowed
participating aircraft to report its arrival information to Customs
telephonically and exempted to some degree participating frequent
travelers in compliance with the program's requirements from the
general Customs requirements concerning entry into the United States.
On September 11, 2001, the GATE Program was indefinitely suspended
following the terrorist attacks on the United States. On August 3,
2002, the program was discontinued. Consistent
[[Page 71513]]
with the discontinuation of the GATE test, Customs has determined not
to proceed with establishing the program in the regulations.
Regarding the proposed revisions to the Overflight Program, Customs
has carefully considered the comments received and further reviewed the
matter. Taking into consideration the enhanced security concerns
following the events of September 11, 2001, Customs has concluded that
the proposed amendments concerning the Overflight Program must be
further revised concerning advance notice of arrival issues. Customs
anticipates issuing a new proposal in the near future regarding changes
to the Overflight Program. In accordance with the above discussion,
Customs is withdrawing the proposal it published August 3, 2001.
Robert C. Bonner,
Commissioner of Customs.
Approved: November 25, 2002.
Timothy E. Skud,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Treasury.
[FR Doc. 02-30357 Filed 11-29-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4820-02-P