MAPPING THE BORDER:NEW BRUNSWICK CAMPOBELLO/LUBEC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 OTTAWA 003205 SIPDIS C O R R E C T E D COPY ///ENTRY IN PARA 1 ADDED Point Roberts//// SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CAN, CA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CA PTER PGOV CVIS PHUM SUBJECT: MAPPING THE BORDER:NEW BRUNSWICK CAMPOBELLO/LUBEC CROSSING OTTAWA 00003205 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. The Lubec Maine/Campobello Island, New Brunswick crossing is the easternmost land border port of entry on our northern border. The island -- in Canada is only accessible to the rest of Canada by road through the U.S., mirroring our westernmost port of entry in Point Roberts, Washington, a piece of U.S. territory only accessible through Canada. The only way off the island is a short, two-lane bridge over the Lubec Strait/Passamaquody Bay waters into Lubec, Maine which is an hour,s drive from the next port of entry back into Canada at Calais, Maine/St. Stephen New Brunswick. In the summer, a ferry connects the island directly to the Canadian mainland. ¶2. How does this geographic anomaly play out for the roughly 1500 full-time residents of this 9-mile long island, which relies extensively on summer tourism? Some residents cross 3-4 times a day for work or personal business and or pleasure. The same Canadian import restrictions apply for groceries and shopping done in the U.S. so duties on purchases over $50 apply if travel is less than 24 hours. There is no gasoline on the island so all car fill-ups are done in the U.S. We have well-oiled agreements at the border to facilitate movement of emergency vehicles back and forth, with inspectors getting advance notice of travel and then waving through ambulances. We have also been able to resolve to everyone,s satisfaction the affect of complying with the advance notice of the Bioterrorism Act for imported food products which are purchased in Canada, but routed through the U.S. to get to Campobello Island. Our inspectors at Calais seal or bond the truck transporting these goods, and then inspectors at Campobello Island confirm the seal has not been broken before the truck enters back into Canada. ¶3. According to CBP port director, the port of entry has changed since 9/11, describing that the function has moved beyond pre-9/11 routine inspections to greater emphasis on security and increased inspections. In fact, while we were speaking, his office was carrying out an &enforcement action8 returning a third country national (through the U.S. to mainland Canada at St. Stephen) who had fallen out of approved student status in the U.S. He said crossings have fallen from 1100-1300 to 800-900 per day, reflecting drops due to exchange rates and higher gas prices this past summer, as well as reports of more difficulty at the border. He insisted that the longest delays have been only 30 minutes, but Campobello contacts told us they approached two hours this summer. ¶4. Staffing at the port of entry remains a challenge, despite increases in the numbers from 7-13 full-time inspectors in the last five years. Turnover and filling 24 hour shifts create logistical issues. CBP also has an inspector assigned to the Eastport harbor which falls under the Lubec port of entry. The other major inspection challenge has been increased flow of illegal opiates, re-packaged from pharmaceuticals. ¶5. The new passport requirement is one of two main issues on the island, especially given the local residents, dependence on the U.S. The port director estimated that 80 per cent of non-locals already have passports. &No doubt about it, a passport makes our job easier,8 he said. A much lower estimate was true though for the local population. ¶6. The other major issue on the island is the proposed Liquified Natural Gas terminals in Passamaquody Bay which QLiquified Natural Gas terminals in Passamaquody Bay which would see 2 tankers a week coming through the bay waters to unload the LNG. Tourism and fishing are the major industries in this region, and on the island there is a palpable sentiment that the LNG terminals and tankers would harm both. Signs in opposition to the terminal were seen across the island. In Maine, on the other hand, views that the new terminal would create jobs, both in the construction of the terminal and in any industry re-locating to this poorest county in Maine would be beneficial. ¶7. Campobello is home to the binational historic site and park preserving the Roosevelt summer cottage. In the 42 years since the binational park was established, it has expanded from 10 acres of the resident area to include over 2200 acres of natural wilderness. The independent commission running the park will meet in November to decide on a new proposal to create a joint memorial to human rights, reflecting on Eleanor Roosevelt and Canadian John Peters Humphrey, author of the UN Declaration of Human rights. Visit Canada's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/ottawa OTTAWA 00003205 002 OF 002 WILKINS