February 3, 2004

American Association of Port Authorities

The American Association of Port Authorities has expressed great concern that President George W. Bush's FY '05 budget provides no federal funds to meet port facility security requirements. 

"This is particularly alarming because federal support for port facility security is authorized in the recently enacted Maritime Transportation Security Act, and has been recognized by Congress with $493.2 million in port security grant appropriations since September 11, 2001," noted an AAPA news release.  "With port security acknowledged as a clear federal priority, AAPA is very disappointed that the Administration has not shown its support of port facilities in the budget for the coming year."

"While we're encouraged that some aspects of the MTSA have received support in the 2005 budget, it's disheartening that port facilities have been neglected as a key player," said AAPA President Kurt Nagle. "Port authorities and facility operators are expected to comply with the new security regulations, at a cost of billions of dollars.  Federal help is simply imperative in order to make that expectation reality."

The news release adds that an FBI official testifying before Congress last week stated that intelligence the agency has gathered suggests that ports are a key vulnerability that has attracted interest from terrorists. The official stressed that a significant challenge is the limited amount of funding and
resources available to the state and local port agencies. 

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