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Thursday, Mar 28, 2024
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Governor Creates Maritime Security Council

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger was in San Diego on Oct. 12 and signed an executive order creating a council that would help keep California’s ports safe in the wake of decreased government funding for port security.

The California Maritime Security Council will be a group composed of military officials, members of the state Office of Homeland Security, as well as members of the business community and government officials.

The duties of the council include identifying threats to the state’s ports, improving security, coordinating statewide planning efforts and information sharing, developing a security strategy and preparing for recovery in the event of a catastrophe.

The council will submit a report of its activities and recommendations to the governor and the legislature by Nov. 1, 2007 and annually thereafter.

The Rand Corp. and the Public Policy Institute of California both released reports that emphasize the importance of California’s ports to its economy, and the devastating impact a natural or man-made catastrophe could create.

San Diego’s ports handle $4.5 billion in cargo annually, but are shortchanged in federal security funding, according to the governor, calling the $139,837 the San Diego port received this year “unacceptable.”

The governor said the maritime council will not bring extra costs to the state.

, Andy Killion

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