Resolution: Support for Fair Distribution of Port Security Funds in the Great Lakes
Adopted on October 3, 2003

Whereas, the U.S. Coast Guard published on July 1, 2003 a set of interim rules establishing security requirements for the entire U.S. maritime industry, including port facilities (33 CFR 105); and

Whereas, the Great Lakes ports fully realize the need for a comprehensive homeland security program, particularly because the Great Lakes are a source of drinking water to millions of people in the United States and Canada, and Great Lakes shipping is a vital part of the economy; and

Whereas, included in the requirements are a number of measures appropriate for coastal ports with heavy traffic in high risk trades including containerized cargo, but which are onerous and prohibitively expensive for Great Lakes ports that are almost exclusively devoted to non-hazardous, low risk, dry bulk commodities; and

Whereas, because of their low risk status, Great Lakes ports have fared very poorly in receiving federal port security grant funds [being awarded only $1.9 million, or .8 percent, of the $245 million recently awarded by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA)] on the basis of risk; and

Whereas, despite their lack of success in obtaining TSA grants, Great Lakes ports are still obligated to meet the full federal security requirements; and

Whereas, this issue has serious economic implications for U.S. Great Lakes ports because the added cost to implement the U.S. security requirements could make some ports and dock operators uncompetitive with foreign suppliers in high volume, bulk commodities with extreme price sensitivity like iron ore; and

Whereas, the Great Lakes Commission is committed to supporting a sustainable marine transportation infrastructure in the Great Lakes, making it an appropriate advocate for a federal marine security program that provides adequate security measures in the Lakes, while allowing for the continuance of viable maritime trade.

Therefore, Be It Resolved, that the Great Lakes Commission takes the position that, if federal regulatory requirements are not risk based, then federal grant funds should not be risk based either; and

Be It Further Resolved, that the Great Lakes Commission urges that the U.S. federal government adopt a more equitable approach in development of port security requirements, one that acknowledges the unique nature of Great Lakes ports, including the commodities they handle and the ways they are operated; and

Be It Finally Resolved, that the Great Lakes Commission supports development of a more objective methodology of awarding federal marine security grants to allow Great Lakes ports to participate equitably.

Unanimously adopted by the Great Lakes Commission at its 2003 Annual Meeting in Chicago, Illinois, October 3, 2003.