Sweetgrass, Mont. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection will open the seasonal port of Chief Mountain on May 15 for the summer season. The Chief Mountain port is located in Glacier National Park bordering Canada's Waterton Lakes National Park. The port opens each year on this date and closes the gate for winter on September 30. The initial hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. until June 1 when the hours expand to 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and return to the shorter hours on September 16 through the close date.
Heavy traffic is normal during the summer season especially around holidays such as Canada's Victoria Day (May 24) and the U.S. Memorial Day (May 31). CBP reminds travelers planning trips across the border into the United States to make sure they have approved travel documents to facilitate the entry process when traveling back into the U.S.
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, implemented on June 1, 2009 requires U.S. and Canadian citizens, age 16 and older to present a valid, acceptable travel document that denotes both identity and citizenship when entering the U.S by land or sea.
CBP strongly encourages travelers to obtain a radio frequency identification (RFID)-enabled travel document such as a U.S. Passport Card, Enhanced Driver's License/Enhanced Identification Card or Trusted Traveler Program card (NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST/EXPRES) to expedite their entry and make crossing the border more efficient.
WHTI-compliant, RFID-enabled documents help reduce the time it takes to process travelers at the border. No personal identification information is stored on the RFID chip embedded in the cards - only a series of ones and zeros that points to information in a secure CBP database.
WHTI is the joint Department of State-Department of Homeland Security plan that implemented a key 9/11 Commission recommendation to establish document requirements for travelers entering the United States who were previously exempt, including citizens of the U.S., Canada and Bermuda.
CBP also reminds U.S. lawful permanent residents that the I-551 form (green card) is acceptable for land and sea travel into the U.S.
The United States had been and continues to be a welcoming nation. U.S. Customs and Border Protection not only protects U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents in the country but also wants to ensure the safety of our international travelers who come to visit, study and conduct legitimate business in our country.
Our dual mission is to facilitate travel in the United States while we secure our borders, our people and our visitors from those that would do us harm like terrorists and terrorist weapons, criminals and contraband.