DHS to distribute $445 million to secure infrastructure
Ports, transit systems and trucking companies are the targets for protection by the latest round of grants from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Last week, DHS released grant guidance and application kits for the 2007 Infrastructure Protection Program (IPP) that will provide $445 million to strengthen security at critical facilities.
To date, IPP has issued $1.5 billion in grants, and the 2007 grant total is $46 million more than last year’s total, according to DHS. “We’re investing resources where risk is greatest and where the funds will have the most significant impact,” says DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff.
This year’s IPP includes five subprograms, Port Security, Transit Security, Buffer Zone Protection, Intercity Bus Security and Trucking Security, with most of the grant money going to the first two programs. Applicants are divided into tiers based on risk status, with Tier I being the highest risk areas. Tier I Port Security areas include New York, New Orleans, Houston and Los Angeles. Transit Security Tier I applicants include New York, the Washington region, Boston and San Francisco. The IPP grants are scheduled for release in the spring.
