Border Crossing

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Border Crossing

The Partnership is aggressively working to improve the flow of commerce across the US-Canadian border in the Buffalo Niagara region.

As part of that effort, the Partnership coordinated the formation of the New York State Smart Border Coalition, an organization of more than 20 key business and trade organizations and other stakeholders whose mutual goal is "the most efficient possible flow of goods and people across the Can-Am border" as a key ingredient for New York's economic prosperity and growth.

The Plattsburgh-North Country Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Rochester Metro Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Syracuse Chamber joined the Partnership in coordinating the coalition.

The coalition seeks to speak with a single voice on behalf of its members when seeking beneficial action on federal and/or international border policy.

As part of its advocacy efforts, the Smart Border Coalition is supporting a flexible border policy that takes into account the potentially unique needs of each US-Canadian border crossing point instead of a rigid "one size fits all" policy. The coalition also seeks full implementation of the 30-point US-Canada Smart Border Declaration signed by American and Canadian officials in December 2002 and the recognition by state and federal decision makers of New York State's border as the premier connection in the North American economy.

Advocacy Agenda

1. Full and speedy implementation of the 30 point Canada - U.S. "Smart Border Declaration," in order to establish and maintain a balance of physical and economic security along the entire NYS - Canada border.

2. Preparation and emphasis by NYS's elected leaders of a comprehensive CanAm border and strategic trade/tourism corridor needs assessment and plan without delay, which must be reflected in TEA-21 and Air-21 reauthorizations in 2003.

3. Adequate (24/7) staffing, interoperability, and cross designation by U.S. and Canadian authorities at NYS - Canadian border crossings.

4. Establishment of "accord processing zones" at all NYS commercial border crossings, enabling shared facilities, staffing, technology, and operations; with each zone tailored to the particular circumstances at that border crossing.

5. No implementation of INS Section 110 or any equivalents, including expansion of documentation for U.S. and Canadian citizens, on the NYS - Canadian border.

6. Elimination of separate, U.S. Customs outbound inspection checkpoints at all NYS commercial border crossings.

7. Full deployment of NEXUS at all NYS commercial border crossings by the end of 2003, and at all high volume crossings by end of 2002.

8. Full deployment of Free and Secure Trade program (FAST) - including access to priority booths through traffic streaming - at all NYS commercial border crossings as soon as possible; including active promotion, outreach, education, and technical assistance.

9. Full deployment of pre-arrival processing at all NYS commercial border crossings by August 2003.

10. Development and deployment of a pre-clearance system for cross border Amtrak and motorcoach passengers along the NYS-Canada border.

11. Formal identification of I-87 as the " Quebec -New York Corridor," including full funding of the Champlain/Lacolle " Port of Excellence" project by 2004, and implementation of bilingual (English and French) signage along I-87 in NYS.

12. Full recognition of Continental 1 as a strategic trade corridor between the U.S. and Canada.

New York State Smart Border Coalition