COAC shifts to micro approach on infrastructure issues

COAC shifts to micro approach on infrastructure issues    The Department of Homeland Security’s Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations (COAC) voted to dissolve its infrastructure subcommittee at Thursday’s meeting to focus on specific projects to facilitate fast customs clearance and security checks rather than an overarching, macro-policy for upgrading facilities and equipment at border ports.
   The move, at the recommendation of General Motors' customs director Kevin Smith, comes after COAC created subcommittee at its last meeting in February to provide recommendations to DHS on how to finance and build roads, bridges, cargo lots and other facilities to alleviate crowded conditions at ports of entry.
   COAC instead decided to set up working groups to tackle two problems related to infrastructure: placement of radiation detection arches at on-dock rail facilities in crowded seaports, and how to set up the proposed “green lane” for importers who have the best supply chain security controls.
   Infrastructure is key to selling the “green lane” concept because, if there is no room to build dedicated express lanes for trusted shippers to bypass regular cargo checkpoints, companies may not feel the benefits are worth the extra security costs.
   COAC said it wanted to help DHS and Customs and Border Protection develop the “green lane” concept envisioned for the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism. Commissioner Robert Bonner has stated there could be tiers of benefits within the voluntary program depending on the level of security measures adopted by companies.
   Curtis Spencer, president of foreign trade zone consultancy IMS Worldwide Inc., suggested the possibility of developing a program without different levels of benefits so more companies could take advantage of the “green lane,” the most prized benefit for importers concerned about reducing cargo delays.
   While Spencer expressed interest in taking a narrow approach based on getting the program running in the short-term, Elaine Dezenski, acting assistant secretary for border and transportation security, warned that policymakers quickly need to integrate the “green lane” into broader strategy, namely continuity planning for keeping ports operating and releasing cargo in the event of a terrorist attack.