Napolitano says discussions with locals, Canadians will solve underused border station dilemma

Napolitano: border crossing dilemma ’solvable’

HAVRE, Mont. — Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano says there may be a way to salvage an underused border post in Montana where a multimillion-dollar renovation was put on hold when Canadian officials announced they would close their side.

Napolitano says the Canadians didn’t warn the United States they had decided to close the Big Beaver border post in Saskatchewan next year because it sees just five travelers a day.

The secretary says she plans to send envoys to visit with residents there and with Canadian officials to find a solution.

She said in Havre Wednesday it may be possible to share the upgraded U.S. border post with the Canadians as a way to keep the Whitetail Port of Entry between Montana and Saskatchewan open.