Border crossing may get easier on LOTW

Not sure about the details but looks like a new program being piloted. May make fishing the NW Angle and LOTW more convenient.

https://collinpeterson.house.gov/press-release/peterson-klobuchar-franken-nolan-commend-border-security-pilot-program-warroad

Peterson, Klobuchar, Franken, Nolan Commend Border Security Pilot Program in Warroad

May 19, 2017 Issues: Economy and Jobs

Congressman Collin C. Peterson’s (D-Minn.) office organized a meeting with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Senator Al Franken’s (D-Minn.) office, Senator Amy Klobuchar’s (D-Minn.) office, and Richard M. Nolan’s (D-Minn.) office and learned that the agency selected the Lake of the Woods region for a pilot program to test safer and smarter technology reporting methods to replace outdated Outlying Area Reporting Station phones.

The decision by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to initiate a pilot program in the Lake of the Woods region is encouraging news towards addressing a pressing issue for a community that depends heavily on tourism. Fishermen and outdoorsmen from around the world travel to Lake of the Woods with their families to enjoy incredible fishing experiences enhanced by a strong resort presence. Oftentimes fishing guides and their guests travel into Ontario, which prompts border security checks by Canada and the United States upon return. The current system of using the three available Outlying Area Reporting Station (OARS) phones is outdated and onerous to access.

“I commend U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the agency’s decision to use Lake of the Woods as a testing ground for new border reporting technologies. This is exciting news for tourists, resorts, and border agents alike and I look forward to a successful pilot program that includes input from our stakeholders so the United States can enhance border security while maintaining a strong local economy,” said Congressman Peterson.

“I’ve long been working to ease the reporting burden for Minnesotans and other tourists who come from around the world to visit Lake of the Woods every year. So I’m very pleased by the decision to move forward with this pilot program, which will improve safety and convenience for travelers and anglers while strengthening our Northern Minnesota economy,” said Senator Franken.

“Tourism and fishing are at the heart of Lake of the Woods’ economy,” said Senator Klobuchar. “Piloting this technology in the Northwest Angle will help make travel safer for both visitors and Minnesotans and ensure that businesses in the outdoor recreation and tourism industries are not hurt because of outdated border technology.”

“We’re pleased that U.S. Customs and Border Protection has chosen Lake of the Woods to test their new border reporting technologies. This decision will help promote efficient, effective border security, and lays the foundation for its use at other entry points along the Minnesota-Canada border. Effective implementation and utilization will promote an even more robust tourism industry that supports our local economy,” Nolan said.

More details will follow in the coming weeks as the pilot program is set to roll out in June 2017.

Still need Homeland Security’s blessing.

“I’ve long been working to ease the reporting burden for Minnesotans and other tourists who come from around the world to visit Lake of the Woods every year. So I’m very pleased by the decision to move forward with this pilot program, which will improve safety and convenience for travelers and anglers while strengthening our Northern Minnesota economy,” said Senator Franken.

What a line of BS, he could give 2 sharts less about it.

Hey, hey, hey…… It’s all about the votes you know.

Some can not resist to add polltics to the equation.
Is this a good thing or not? Is it worth the effort and cost? I do not know, that is why I ask the questions.

That’s how they hide the truth, with continuous lies.

This reporting thing. Whats this about? Explanation to those that dont frequent the area could go along way in support and understanding the need. An article boasting tourism does not give any information. First hand accounts go further.

How does this affect you Boyd?

Anglers that enter Ontario via boat need a RABC permit. (Remota area border crossing). When you enter back into the states you need to call in to U.S at one of their phone booths. There is one in Youngs Bay, and that’s the only one i’ve used.

From what I understand, the RABC covers you for going into Canada, but the U.S doesn’t honor the permit. So you need to call back into the states once you come back, and there is only a few places that you can do that. Say you are staying on Oak island in the Angle at one of the 5 resorts. You fish all day in Ontario, come back in the evening and now you have to drive 15 miles to shore to check back into the U.S.

It’s ridiculous. Most people don’t do it, because no one can really tell you what the exact law is. Some people say that you don’t have to call back in during the summer, but you do in the winter because they consider ice as land. Therefore you only have to call in during the summer if you touch land.

It would definitely affect me. I would consider going back to the angle. For me it’s way too much of an inconvenience and I would rather just drive to Morson or Sioux Narrows and not have to ever deal with it.

Pat, I’ve never heard of guys with an RABC calling when they return to the US. But I’ve also never got an RABC, so that’s just hearsay.

I’ve always stayed at Young’s so the phone thing really is no big deal to me. I’ve also only called in the morning before entering Ontario, never when I return in the evening. I could be doing it wrong, but that’s how we’ve been doing it for years and no one has told us any different.

tswoboda wrote:

Pat, I’ve never heard of guys with an RABC calling when they return to the US. But I’ve also never got an RABC, so that’s just hearsay.

I’ve always stayed at Young’s so the phone thing really is no big deal to me. I’ve also only called in the morning before entering Ontario, never when I return in the evening. I could be doing it wrong, but that’s how we’ve been doing it for years and no one has told us any different.

That’s half of the problem. No one really knows or can give you a straight answer. Just a lot of different opinions. (and when I say no one, that includes border patrol agents) I do know that an RABC has nothing to do with the U.S. It’s for going into Canada. Same as the 1-800-CANPASS number. The real question is, does America care to know when you come back? If they do there is only a few phones to call in from on the entire lake, and their isn’t a number that you can call on your own phone like the 1-800-CANPASS number for Canada.

If you ask me, it’s a mess. I’m glad they are attempting to fix it. If it is a new type of permit, I hope you can get one that lasts 10 years, and it’s just an endorsement on you DL or Passport.

“The decision by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to initiate a pilot program in the Lake of the Woods region is encouraging news towards addressing a pressing issue for a community that depends heavily on tourism. Fishermen and outdoorsmen from around the world travel to Lake of the Woods with their families to enjoy incredible fishing experiences enhanced by a strong resort presence. Oftentimes fishing guides and their guests travel into Ontario, which prompts border security checks by Canada and the United States upon return. The current system of using the three available Outlying Area Reporting Station (OARS) phones is outdated and onerous to access.“

Pat McSharry wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>tswoboda wrote:</div>
Pat, I’ve never heard of guys with an RABC calling when they return to the US. But I’ve also never got an RABC, so that’s just hearsay.

I’ve always stayed at Young’s so the phone thing really is no big deal to me. I’ve also only called in the morning before entering Ontario, never when I return in the evening. I could be doing it wrong, but that’s how we’ve been doing it for years and no one has told us any different.

That’s half of the problem. No one really knows or can give you a straight answer. Just a lot of different opinions. (and when I say no one, that includes border patrol agents)

I think you hit the nail on the head right there.

Sorry for the delayed answer, been busy and haven’t had any internet time.

Pat explained it well.

We use to go up to the angle fairly often but haven’t been up there in several years. It can be a pain do to the inconsistency in how the call in is handled.

Great scenery and fishing around the angle but the walleye action is pretty darn good close to home so we tend to fish the south side of the lake. In fact, time to go fishing now.