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Speak Up

The chorus of people calling for a new United States Customs Port near the Aroostook Valley County Club (AVCC) now includes a Canadian Member of Parliament and a United States senator.

A recent town hall meeting organized by the United States Border Patrol indicated that Canadian and American golfers can continue their 80-year tradition of crossing the Canada-United States border to play golf at AVCC, but the long-term future is uncertain, especially if American border enforcement goes ahead with their intention to eventually close Russell Road to Canadian traffic.

Tobique-Mactaquac MP Mike Allen and Maine Senator Susan Collins, who is the Senate Homeland Security Committee Ranking Member, both urged U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to consider establishing a seasonal port of entry at the U.S.-Canadian border along Russell Road in Fort Fairfield. The politicians joined golf club officials lobbying for the new customs port to keep the golf club open and help preserve the local economy.

"I am very encouraged to see Senator Collins, who has a lead role in Homeland Security, write a letter indicating that she wants to see a seasonal customs port," Allen stated. "This is one of the things that I thought would be a common-sense solution."

The MP said the winter traffic on the road probably would not justify a full-time customs port, but a seasonal one could monitor golf club traffic.

Allen has received numerous calls from concerned constituents about the issue, and he said American politicians are also fielding calls and letters protesting any closure on Brown or Russell Road.

"There is a much more concerted effort now that people realize the U.S. Border Patrol is more serious ... The public meeting indicated that it may be months before they take their next step, but we should be prepared."

Allen said he had provided some briefing notes to federal Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day to make sure he is aware of the issues, and the MP hopes the Canadian government can facilitate a solution with their U.S. counterparts.

"I know he (Day) is in constant contact with Secretary Michael Chertoff (Secretary of Homeland Security), and I think we as Canadians have to impress upon them that the actions that are taken have to be common sense because you are impacting golfers from both sides of the border and residents living in this area."

Allen said there are numerous instances across North America where border communities contend with roads and streets that cross international borders, and there doesn't seem to be a widespread effort to close these roads.

"For some reason, the U.S. Border Patrol sees Brown and Russell Road as a high-risk area. We don't see it as a high-risk. The RCMP does random patrols in this area and of course we have the seasonal port."

Allen said he enjoys playing at Aroostook Valley and he wants to see the course's unique international flavour remain intact.

"I know there is no simple solution to this. It has to be something that is common sense that retains this great tourist attraction."

In a press release issued last week, Susan Collins urged U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to find a solution that doesn't hinder traffic to the golf club.

"While it is important that we continue our efforts to strengthen our borders and protect ourselves against the threat of terrorism, we must seek to do so in a way that does not unnecessarily hinder the travel of people who regularly cross the border and who pose no threat to national security," said Senator Collins.

"Opening a seasonal port of entry at Russell Road properly balances security concerns with the practical realities in Fort Fairfield."

Senator Collins noted the Town of Fort Fairfield has expressed concerns over CBP's proposed closing of Russell Road.

In response, the senator sent a letter to CBP Commissioner W. Ralph Basham requesting CBP examine establishing a seasonal port of entry and expressing disappointment at the lack of action on the agency's part in addressing the effect on local residents.

"I am writing in response to the disappointing announcement by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that it intends to close Russell Road connecting the Aroostook Valley County Club (AVCC) and several nearby residences in Fort Fairfield, Maine, to Canada.

"In a letter that I sent to you in April, I asked that CBP meet with local business and community leaders and develop a plan to accommodate community concerns. It does not appear, however, that CBP has identified a solution that addresses security concerns and accommodates local interests in providing access to the golf course and local residences," Collins stated in her letter.

"Canada operates a seasonal port of entry on this road. The U.S. operated a port of entry on the road, which closed during the 1950s.

"I respectfully request that you examine the possibility of CBP establishing a seasonal port of entry at the border along Russell Road between April and November while the AVCC is operational.

"This solution would serve the security interest of identifying individuals entering the U.S. from Canada and also avoid harming the property values and economy of the area, including the AVCC whose survival would be jeopardized by closing access from Canada."

AVCC President Dave Ricker, who lives in Fort Fairfield, welcomed the news that the politicians on both sides of the border see a new customs facility as a solution to the problem.

Ricker said AVCC officials were disappointed that Customs and Border Patrol officials still intend to close the road.

"I would like very much to see if there is any funding available from the United States customs service to put a temporary mobile station up next to our Canadian friends on the Russell Road."

Ricker said although customs officials feel a new port could costs more than $1 million, a small mobile unit should be able to fulfill the job for much less.

"We will be sending a letter to our congressional delegation. We will also, if necessary, retain an attorney to help us," Ricker said.

"If we had land that we could donate to a (U.S.) customs port, we would gladly do so.

"But there is land available in this area.

"I have no problem with them having a mobile multi-use port, Canadian and American, right by the parking lot."

Ricker said the novelty of playing on a golf course so close to the Canada-United States border has been a powerful tourism draw over the years, and he is optimistic the golf club will continue to thrive.

"We will survive this, but it is such an inconvenience for our Canadian friends that we may lose some members, we have already lost some members this year due to economic conditions ... We were very pleased with the standing-room-only turnout at the meeting.

"Many of the people at the meeting were our Aroostook Valley members and a lot of them were from Canada. Keep in mind that Aroostook Valley Country Club is an international community, we have been great friends for years and we will continue to be great friends.

"I would like to find a simpler way to get people through the border."

For 80 years, Canadians and Americans have been technically making illegal entries into both countries to play golf.

Canadian golfers and their suppliers and vendors at the golf course have traditionally travelled from Brown Road at the Canada-U.S. border to Russell Road, which is in the United States, to reach the golf course.

Once at the parking lot the golfers walk back across the road to play golf at the championship 18-hole course in Canada. Golfers retracing their steps must check into a Canada Border Service Agency port of entry back on Brown Road before returning to Canada.

American golfers drive their vehicle onto Russell Road to the American parking lot at AVCC and walk back into the United States when they finish their round of golf.