Smaller ports will be eligible for security grants

Smaller ports will be eligible for security grants    The Port Security Grant program administered by the Department of Homeland Security will include funds for smaller ports, federal officials said Tuesday.
   In a telephone briefing about the port grant program sponsored by the American Association of Port Authorities, Homeland Security officials said that in evaluating how to distribute $168 million they will classify ports into four tiers of sizes. Another $7 million is being used to administer the program.
   Federal officials explained this was so that smaller ports like Port Hueneme, Calif. are not competing with the Port of New York and New Jersey for the same dollars.
   The AAPA is calling for passage of legislation in the House and Senate that would boost port security funding to $400 million a year.
   Earlier this year, there were widespread complaints by officials at some cities, including New York, when general Homeland Security grants were reduced from the prior year, but smaller municipalities got increased funds.
   Ports have until Aug. 4 to apply for funds under the program; they will be awarded by Sept. 30.
   Officials said that facilities in 101 port areas are eligible under the program. That’s up from 66 last year.
   The Coast Guard Captain of the Port, assisted by regional directors of the Maritime Administration and state administrative agencies, will review proposed projects according to both how they align with state and local security priorities and which projects offer the highest potential for risk reduction or “bang for the buck.”
   A national review panel will determine which projects to fund.
   Public applicants will have to provide a 25 percent cash match of the total security project for which they are applying, private applicants will have to supply a 50 percent match.