03.21.16

Hoeven Visits Port of Pembina, Working to Secure $5.7 Million for New APHIS Inspection Facility

PEMBINA, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today visited the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operations at the Pembina Port, the fifth busiest port along the U.S./Canadian border. Specifically, Hoeven reviewed the existing Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) facility, which poses logistical challenges for U.S. inspectors. Hoeven is working to secure funding to replace the inspection station with a new, modern facility.

In response to the September 11 terrorist attacks, the original APHIS building was demolished to accommodate new vehicle and cargo inspection system requirements. A modular trailer was leased and moved to a median island near the center of the port as a temporary housing solution for APHIS. On-load inspections are currently performed at this trailer, but off-load inspections are performed at the Emerson Canadian Port, which is located one mile north of Pembina. Doing inspections across the border poses a logistical challenge, because APHIS inspectors must drive into Canada to perform inspections and then go back through the port traffic to get to the APHIS trailer.                                                

“Investing in facilities and infrastructure that will help keep our borders secure is sensible and necessary,” said Hoeven. “The existing APHIS facilities pose challenges for inspectors, but by constructing a new, modern facility that can accommodate both on-load and off-load inspections, they will be able to work more efficiently and effectively.”

As a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committees, Hoeven is working to secure funding to construct a new APHIS facility, which will cost $5.7 million. The new 6,685 square foot facility will be built on the south side of the current port, and will allow for both on-load and off-load inspections.

-###-