WHITE HOUSE PLANS MARCH TRANSFER OF AGENCIES TO HOMELAND SECURITY

WHITE HOUSE PLANS MARCH TRANSFER OF AGENCIES TO HOMELAND SECURITY    The White House has sent its plan for the organization and transition of 22 federal law enforcement agencies to the new Homeland Security Department to the Congress for input.
   President Bush signed the Department of Homeland Security Act of 2002 into law earlier this week. The new department, which will take several years to become fully operational, will include the move of more than 170,000 federal government workers.
   Customs, Transportation Security Agency, Coast Guard, and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service will be among the primary agencies to be transferred to the new department in March and will make up the backbone of the department’s border and transportation security operations.
   A copy of the Homeland Security Department plans is available on the White House Web site at https://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/11/reorganization_plan.pdf.
   “Additional details concerning the process for establishing the Department will become available in the coming weeks and months,” the White House said. The president 'will work closely with Congress to modify this plan consistent with the act.”