Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 31, 2003
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Gov. Gary Locke’s Statement on Port Security

OLYMPIA – Gov. Gary Locke today issued the following statement on port security in advance of a public meeting convened by the Coast Guard:

“Protecting our people, ports and vessels from terrorist attack requires continuing vigilance and close cooperation among federal agencies, state and local governments, and the maritime industry. There have been no specific threats to our ports, shipping or ferries. But, for the safety of ferry passengers, maritime workers, and our trade-dependent economy, we must keep working together to strengthen port security.

“I thank the Coast Guard, now a part of the Department of Homeland Security, for hosting a public meeting on Feb. 3 in Seattle to help develop its nationwide Port Security Plan. This hearing, one of eight across in the country, will support new rules to implement the Maritime Security Act of 2002. It is an opportunity for citizens and the maritime community to contribute ideas toward developing a workable nationwide plan to keep our ports safe.

“We value the work of the federal agencies responsible for port security, and our state and local governments value the working partnership we have with them. That partnership must succeed. Washington state operates one of the largest ferry systems in the world—by far the largest in the U.S, carrying more than 26 million passengers every year. And, Washington ports provide our nation with a critical gateway for international trade, with an annual value of more than $103 billion.

“I know that federal officials will carefully consider the comments and concerns they hear at the public meeting and receive in writing from our citizens, businesses and public agencies. As the Coast Guard completes its nationwide plan for port security, these considerations should be at the forefront:

· Each of America’s ports has unique characteristics, needs, patterns of commerce and potential vulnerabilities. What works in one place may not work in another.

· The free flow of commerce through our ports is essential to our economic strength as a nation and as a state.

· Washington’s ferry system is a vital link in our transportation system, requiring rapid, reliable and frequent movement of people, vehicles and goods.

· The federal and state constitutions protect individuals from unreasonable searches. The Washington State Constitution is especially protective in this regard.

· Security standards and measures incur real costs to businesses, governments and individuals. They must be effective enough to justify those costs.

“An effective nationwide plan will recognize these facts, enable workable timeframes for implementation, and provide the flexibility – legal, operational and financial – to keep our partnership strong and our people safe. The Attorney General’s Office, the Washington State Department of Transportation, the Washington State Patrol and others will keep working with federal authorities to achieve that goal.”

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