Governor Gregoire Announces Project to Keep Washington/B.C. Border Crossing Moving

For Immediate Release: November 13, 2006

Governor will seek federal support for proposal in response to federal Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative restrictions

OLYMPIA - Governor Chris Gregoire today announced she will seek federal approval for a pilot project to keep British Columbia border crossings secure, fast and convenient for Washington citizens.

�Washington and B.C. have a long history of friendship and our citizens are accustomed to great flexibility when traveling across our shared border,� said Governor Gregoire. �We want to find a way to boost security at our border without hampering trade and tourism. This is particularly important with both the 2009 World Police and Fire Fighter Games and the 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics in British Columbia fast approaching.�

The pilot project is in response to the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative that, after June 1, 2009, will require a federally issued passport or passport card document to cross the border.

The pilot project will last three months and focus on testing current scanning technology that border agents can use to identify fraudulent driver licenses and identification cards. The device is a portable wireless handheld unit that can verify the authenticity of driver licenses. It is connected to law enforcement databases and is able to identify individuals wanted by law enforcement or suspected of illegal activities.

The project includes a voluntary enhanced driver license and identification card that would meet Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative requirements. This voluntary enhanced driver license and identification card would be secure, cost effective and sustain ease of travel.

Governor Gregoire also is in the process of asking the Department of Homeland Security for cooperation on a study of the possibility of using enhanced Washington driver licenses and identification cards as an alternative to passports or passport cards at the border between Washington and British Columbia.

###