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Montage of Wing Point in Bainbridge Island and the Edmonds Ferry.

Jay Inslee: Washington's 1st Congressional District

Legislative Issues

Transportation

Washington Lawmakers Ask Homeland Security to Reimburse State for Increased Ferry Security Costs

22 October 2004

U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee (WA-01) and other Members of the Washington State delegation sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security today urging the Department to reimburse Washington State for the additional operational expenses incurred during the period of increased ferry security screenings between April 22 and August 2, 2004. Also signing the letter were U.S. Reps. Norm Dicks (WA-06), Jim McDermott (WA-07) and Rick Larsen (WA-02). To meet federal concerns about the security of Washington State ferries, the Washington State Patrol (WSP) spent over $121,000 in additional costs to heighten security screenings at state ferry terminals. Despite the new security measures being federally mandated, the Department of Homeland Security has indicated that it will not reimburse Washington State because the state was in a "non-orange" alert status during that time period. The Department of Homeland Security has given a verbal commitment to the WSP that the federal government will fund the additional operational expenses from August 2, 2004 onward.

The letter is as follows:

October 22, 2004

Director C. Suzanne Mencer
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Office for Domestic Preparedness
810 Seventh Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20531

Dear Director Mencer:

We are writing to urge you to reconsider the recent denial of the State of Washington’s appeal for reimbursement of operational costs incurred during the time-period of April 22 through August 2, 2004.

Upon review of intelligence information by the United State Coast Guard, the Washington State Department of Transportation, Washington’s Military Department and the Washington State Patrol (WSP), the WSP began increased screenings of vehicles entering passenger ferries on April 22. The WSP initiated this heightened activity in order to meet the security concerns associated with possible terrorist activities on the ferries and in good faith that the increased, unfunded costs incurred by the WSP's current operating budget would be reimbursed by the Department of Homeland Security through Operation Liberty Shield.

In order to meet screening thresholds without having an adequate number of trained canine (K-9) teams available, existing WSP K-9 teams and officers were required to work extensive overtime to perform explosive detection and visual screenings of vehicles entering the ferries. Additionally, the agency contracted to receive explosive detection K-9 services from other entities. The additional cost to WSP for this increased activity from April 22 through August 1, 2004, is about $121,000.

Through the state’s Military Department, the WSP has learned that costs incurred prior to August 2, 2004, for protecting critical ferry infrastructure will not be reimbursed by the federal government because Washington was in a "non-orange" alert status. This decision was appealed, but the state was again denied reimbursement for costs prior to August 2.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation issued a report earlier this year detailing at least seven incidents of surveillance of the ferry system consistent with pre-operational planning methods used by terrorist entities prior to attacks committed against other targets. At least one of those incidents involved an individual who has known ties to terrorist organizations.

We urge you to reconsider this decision, as the increased patrols were in response to federal mandates and because evidence exists underscoring the specific danger faced by the WSF. Thank you for your consideration in this matter.

Very Truly Yours,

Jay Inslee
Member of Congress

Norm Dicks
Member of Congress

Rick Larsen
Member of Congress

Jim McDermott
Member of Congress

CC: Department of Homeland Security
Secretary Tom Ridge
Washington, DC 20528

Border and Transportation Security Directorate
Under Secretary Asa Hutchinson
Washington, DC 20528

Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate
Under Secretary Mike Brown
Washington, DC 20528

Admiral Thomas H. Collins
Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard
2100 Second Street, SW
Washington, DC 20593

[ see "Public Safety" section ]