$141 Million in Grants to Secure America's Ports!

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U.S. Department of Homeland Security Announces Over $141 Million in
Grants to Secure America's Ports

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010
September 13, 2005

Attachment A: Round 5 Awarded PSGP Projects

Today the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced
$141,969,967.61 in the fifth round of awards under the Port Security
Grant Program (PSGP).

The FY 2005 PSGP fortifies security at our nation’s critical ports and
maritime facilities. PSGP funds address key national priorities by
helping to protect ports against small craft and underwater attacks
and vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices. The program also funds
measures to enhance explosive detection capabilities aboard passenger
vessels and associated facilities.

“These grants provide another layer of security to help protect ports
from terrorism, safeguard nearby communities and ensure the
uninterrupted flow of global commerce,” said Homeland Security
Secretary Michael Chertoff.

Recipients were selected through a competitive peer review process
using a new risk-based formula weighing threat, vulnerability and
consequence. Consequence considers risks to people, the economy, and
national security. Vulnerability involves factors such as distance
from open water, number of port calls, and presence of tankers. Threat
includes credible threats and incidents and vessels of interest
information. The risk formula was developed by subject matter experts
who have devoted much of their careers to maritime/port security.

In order to receive funding, eligible port terminals must have
submitted an application that met grant guidelines, and requested
funding for eligible projects – especially projects addressing our
national port security priorities. All applications were reviewed by
the local United States Coast Guard (USCG) port captains and scored on
uniform rating criteria. In deference to the experience of port
captains who best understand their port vulnerabilities, the PSGP
relied heavily upon the recommendation and application scoring of the
USCG port captains.

The USCG port captain ratings were reviewed by a regional and national
panel of subject matter experts. Successful applications received
concurrence by the USCG port captain and the national review panel of
subject matter experts.

To maximize security benefits with limited resources, the Department
encouraged private companies to apply for grants with the requirement
of a 50% match. Of the $141.9 million in awards announced today, the
private sector matched roughly $33 million in grants. Through this
public-private partnership, port communities will receive more than
$175 million in security enhancements.

For ports impacted by Hurricane Katrina, funds will be held in reserve
until proposed security projects are ready to be implemented.

In addition to the awards announced today, over the past five years,
the PSGP has provided $489 million to enhance dockside and perimeter
security in our nation’s seaports.