Hours adjusted for some U.S. ports of entry bordering Sask.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has decided to adjust the hours at the Ports of Scobey, Morgan and Opheim, in Montana, starting June 1. The new hours at those ports will be 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. year round. The Port of Raymond, in Montana, will remain a 24-hour port during the summer of 2019 while CBP continues discussions with the Canadian government and local stakeholders.

According to a news release from CBP, it took into account feedback from local community members, stakeholders, and elected officials. Beginning in early February, CBP held several meetings to solicit input. “CBP will remain flexible to work with communities on special events and continues to utilize its first responder protocols to allow for emergency vehicle crossing,” the release adds.

In March, CBP announced plans to reduce hours at those locations, but it adjusted them after concerns were expressed by some area residents. The original proposal would have seen Raymond’s hours cut dramatically, which caused concerns for some residents because of the need to travel a further two hours to find a 24-hour port.

“Very low traffic volumes during these proposed hour adjustments along with fiscal responsibility are determining factors for the adjustment of hours at these CBP Ports of Entry,” Daniel Escobedo, area port director for the CBP, said in the release back in March.

The agency has said it will continue to monitor and analyze traffic and workload, and it’s accepting feedback through email at OFOFEEDBACKMT@cbp.dhs.gov.