By Jonathan Tang, USCM Intern
July 24, 2006

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced July 6 that nearly $400 million would be available in Fiscal Year 2006 for securing the nation’s critical infrastructure from terrorist attacks and other major disasters. This series of grants is an effort to develop “…sustainable, risk-based critical infrastructure security initiatives for man-made and natural threats that could potentially have devastating impacts on the economy and communities throughout the nation,” according to DHS Under Secretary for Preparedness George Foresman.

In enhancing America’s preparedness, the grants hope to address a number of national priorities, including:

• Expanded regional collaboration;

• Implementing the National Incident Management System and the National Response Plan;

• Implementing the National Infrastructure Protection Plan;

• Strengthening information sharing and collaboration capabilities;

• Enhancing interoperable communications capabilities; and

• Strengthening chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive detection and response capabilities.

Grants are available for seven programs aimed at specific sectors of the nation’s critical infrastructure, with a focus on modes of transportation.

1) The Port Security Grant Program will make $168 million available to the 100 most critical seaports, representing 95 percent of the foreign waterborne commerce of the United States. Applicants will be subject to a series of reviews with the intention of ensuring the most effective distribution of funding.

2) The Transit Security Grant Program will make $136 million available to owners and operators of the nation’s critical transit infrastructure, including rail, intracity bus, and ferry systems. Funds will be distributed among Tier 1 (highest-risk) and Tier 2 (eligible) systems.

3) The Intercity Bus Security Grant Program will make $9.5 million available to eligible owners and operators of fixed route intercity and charter bus services. The program priorities include facility security enhancements in defined Urban Area Security Initiative jurisdictions, driver and vehicle security enhancements, emergency communications technology, coordination with local police and emergency responders, and training and exercises.

4) The Intercity Passenger Rail Security Grant Program will make $7.2 million available to Amtrak’s rail operations in the Northeast Corridor [service between Washington (DC) and Boston], Amtrak’s hub in Chicago, and to expand these enhancements into the West Coast Service Area in key, high-risk urban areas.

5) The Trucking Security Program will make $4.8 million available to the American Trucking Association as the program manager of Highway Watch, responsible for recruiting and training highway professionals to identify and report security and safety situations on the nation’s roads.

6) The Buffer Zone Protection Program Grants will make $48 million available to state governments with the intention of providing assistance in planning and equipment acquisition for the purpose of implementing preventive and protective measures against terrorist surveillance and/or attacks on critical infrastructure assets, such as chemical facilities, nuclear and electric power plants, dams, and stadiums.

7) The Chemical Sector Buffer Zone Protection Grant Program will make $25 million available to state governments with a focus on enhancing the protection of facilities that, if attacked, could cause Weapons of Mass Destruction-like effects.

The deadline for applying for available grants is August 4, and all awards will be made by September 30. For more information, visit the DHS website at www.dhs.gov. Complete program guidelines and application kits are available at www.grants.gov.