Got this in the email today:

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: Marc Short, 202-282-8010
May 13, 2005

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security today announced $140,857,128 in port security grants. The FY 2005 Port Security Grant Program (PSGP) uses a risk-based formula to allocate funds to protect our ports from acts of terrorism. The program fortifies security at our nation’s ports by providing funding to increase protection against potential threats from small craft, underwater attacks and vehicle borne improvised explosives, and to enhance explosive detection capabilities aboard vehicle ferries and associated facilities.

The new risk-based formula considers three elements: threat, vulnerability, and consequence. As part of this risk-management approach, the port security grant program will ensure federally regulated ports, terminals, and U.S. inspected passenger vessels receiving the funds represent assets of the highest national strategic importance. Sixty-six port areas have been identified as eligible applicants for inclusion in the FY 2005 program. Successful applicants will be awarded through a competitive process.    

“Our nation’s ports are centers for commerce, trade, and travel - areas our enemies could seek to attack in their attempts to defy freedom and liberty. These grants will help prepare and protect our nation to minimize risk and to win the war on terrorism,” said Matt A. Mayer, Acting Executive Director of the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of State and Local Government Coordination and Preparedness (SLGCP).

DHS designed this program in coordination with the Department of Transportation and the American Association of Port Authorities. DHS has collectively awarded $489.4 million in previous rounds.

The attachment lists the eligible cities.  I would suggest given the economic ramifications of New Orleans and national economic ramifications of the refineries going down, the entire $140 million be spent in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast towns affected by Katrina.

~~ Moon ~~

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