AAPA: DOT GRANTS WILL ENHANCE PORT SECURITY MEASURES

AAPA: DOT GRANTS WILL ENHANCE PORT SECURITY MEASURES    The American Association of Ports Authorities is 'grateful' for the U.S. Department of Transportation’s announcement Monday of $92.3 million in federal grants for seaport security.
   “Since Sept. 11, ports have invested millions of dollars to improve security at marine terminals,” the AAPA. “The DOT funding will help a number of them conduct port vulnerability assessments, and continue to improve security measures.”
   “We’re grateful that Secretary (of Transportation Norman) Mineta and Transportation Security Administration staff moved quickly to award these funds to ports,” said AAPA president Kurt Nagle. “We also applaud Congress for recognizing the industry’s funding needs.”
   According to DOT, grants totaling $78 million will fund enhanced facility and operational security; grants for $5 million will be set aside for ports to assess security; and $9.3 million will fund research for new technology for maritime security. Applications for the grants were due to TSA by March 28. However, ports’ needs succeeded the allotted funds, totaling around $700 million for financial requests, AAPA said.
   Fiscal year 2002 supplemental appropriations bills passed by the U.S. House and Senate also include additional funds for port security grants. The House passed its version May 24 with provisions of $75 million for additional port security grants. The Senate Appropriations Committee passed its bill June 7 with legislation calling for $200 million in security grants.
   Additionally, the “Maritime Transportation Antiterrorism Act” authorizes $249 million over three years for federal grants to help ports enhance seaport security. The Senate bill, S.1214, calls for $390 million in grants over a five-year period.