Resolution: Border Entry Rules for Recreational Boats
Adopted on May 16, 2001

Whereas, the number of Canadian and U.S. recreational boats that can operate on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River is estimated to be around 1.5 million boats; and

Whereas, some cross border visits by U.S. and Canadian recreational boats are illegal because of non-compliance with U.S. border entry rules; and

Whereas, Canadian recreational boaters are deterred from visiting U.S. docks and U.S. boaters are deterred in visiting Canada because of cumbersome and inconvenient U.S. reporting-in requirements; and

Whereas, the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) Form I-68 for U.S. boat entry requires an in-person initial issuance and the U.S. Customs Service requires a user fee decal for any boat over 30 feet subject to entering the country; and

Whereas, U.S. Customs and INS Port of Entry Offices (POE) are geographically widespread, as well as are INS OARS (Outlying Area Remote System) videophones and that POEs hours of operation and staff availability as well as administrative procedures such as coordination among Customs and INS officers also vary by location; and

Whereas, Canada has a single toll-free reporting-in telephone number and in the U.S. the phone numbers vary with location and Canada Customs officers act on behalf of Canada Immigrations, but in the U.S. this varies also with location.

Therefore, Be It Resolved, that the Great Lakes Commission urges the U.S. Customs Service and the INS to review and revise their reporting - in entry procedures for recreational boats on the Great Lakes and consider:

• Opening more sites to issue the initial Form I-68
• Establishing a single reporting-in toll free telephone number system for the Great Lakes
• Reducing or eliminating variations in administrative procedures among Port of Entry offices
• Promoting greater understanding and familiarity with border entry rules and the need for them

Unanimously adopted by the eight member states of the Great Lakes Commission at the 2001 Semiannual Meeting in Ann Arbor, Mich., May 16, 2001.