White House reviews DHS regional plan

White House reviews DHS regional plan    The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has sent to the White House its concept proposal for adding a regional management structure, Stuart Verdrey, an assistant secretary for policy and planning, said Friday.
   Homeland Secretary Tom Ridge has said regional chiefs are needed to coordinate emergency responses to a terrorist attack, work with state and local authorities and make sure agencies within the department are working together properly. Officials insist the directors will not be setting policy for port directors in their areas to follow.
   Verdrey said there will be a formal comment period once the proposal is cleared by the White House. The Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations of the U.S. Customs Service said it would reserve judgment until it sees the plan.