The Port of Longview has been diligent in meeting security requirements as required by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. These requirements are a result of the 9-11 terrorist attacks and apply to all of the nation's ports.
Under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Coast Guard, the Port has implemented a Facility Security Plan. The plan defines a restricted area and limits access to only those personel with appropriate identification.
The Port is also working closely with all tenants, the longshore union, stevedores, and port customers to ensure complete understanding and full compliance with its Facility Security Plan.
Specific security procedures which must be followed by anyone entering Port facilities are as follows:
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Anyone accessing Port facilities will be asked to provide appropriate picture identification. There will be no exceptions.
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Access to marine terminals 5, 6, 7 and 8 is via the Terminal Way gate only. This gate is manned from 6:00 am until 6:00 pm on weekdays. If vessel activity occurs after 6:00 pm, or on the weekends, this gate will be manned and kept open until such time as vessel activity is complete.
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Access to marine terminals 1, 2 or 4 is via the main admistration gate. This gate is manned and will be open during vessel activity only. It will be closed at all other times.
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Visitors to the main administration building may park in the visitor parking area. To access visitor parking it is not necessary to pass through the main administration gate. Visitors are required to check in at the reception desk of the main administration building. They will be issued a visitor pass which must be carried at all times while on Port property. Visitors are required to return the visitor pass when leaving the Port.
In addition, security agents patrol the facility 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The Port appreciates the community's cooperation, understanding and compliance with the new security procedures. In March 2004, as part of an ongoing effort to educate the community, the Port published a Message to the Community about new security requirements.
A MESSAGE TO THE COMMUNITY
(as published in the Longview Daily News
March 17-19-21-24-26-30, 2004)
For many years the Port of Longview has allowed unrestricted public access to its marine terminals for fishing and other activities.
However, since the September 11, 2001 terrorism attacks on the United States, ports all across the nation have implemented new security measures. These measures are just one piece of a larger picture designed to comply with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, whose mission is to protect America’s seaports and other infrastructure.
In order to comply with Homeland Security requirements, the Port has worked diligently with the U.S. Coast Guard to develop safety and security measures specific to our cargo handling activities. These measures are designed to provide safety and security for the citizens of the Port District, as well as protect the Port’s interest in maritime trade.
Therefore, as a result of many months of security planning, the Port will be required to eliminate all public access to the marine terminals, for fishing or any other activities, effective immediately. Access will be restricted to those working at the Port or those with official business with the Port and/or its tenants.
The Port realizes this is a difficult but necessary transition. As a partner in a community with outstanding natural resources, we have taken pride in allowing the public to fish from our docks, or to just enjoy the scenic beauty of the Columbia River. However, in the interests of public safety and security compliance, the marine terminals must now be closed. We thank the community for their cooperation and understanding.
We will continue to offer tours to the public by arrangement with the Port’s communications department. If you would like to take advantage of this opportunity, please contact the Communications/Public Affairs office at 360.425.3305.
Ken O’Hollaren, Executive Director
Doug Averett, Director of Terminal Operations
A SECURITY PERSPECTIVE
To help understand the events occuring since 9-11, the Port offers a Security Perspective. Links to press releases and websites with additional security information are listed at the bottom of the page.
As the post 9-11 era moves well into its third year America’s ports are putting government approved security plans into effect.
These security plans are a direct result of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States. In order to understand why ports must comply, and why compliance is important to public safety, one must understand what has happened since 9/11.
In response to the terrorist attacks, President George W. Bush established a new Department of Homeland Security. Its mission is to protect America’s seaports, nuclear plants, energy pipelines and other infrastructure.
One of Homeland Security’s first tasks was to develop a comprehensive port security strategy, which was implemented in the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002. The act was signed by President George W. Bush on November 25, 2002.
Since that date, Homeland Security has taken steps to implement the act by developing regulations through interagency teamwork between the U.S. Coast Guard, the Transportation Security Administration and the U.S. Bureau of Customs and Border Protection.
Ports began working closely with the Coast Guard on preliminary risk assessments of their facilities. The assessments resulted in a series of interim rules, which ports were required to address by creating Facility Security Plans. The deadline for creating these plans was December 29, 2003. According to the Washington Public Ports Association, all of the ports in the State of Washington, including the Port of Longview, complied with the deadline.
By June 30, 2004, all ports were required to be fully compliant with their Facility Security Plans. According to the Washington Public Ports Association, all of the state's ports fully complied with the regulations.
Implementation of new security requirments at the Port of Longview, and at ports across the nation, requires significant monetary investment. The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) is working diligently to secure federal funding for port security. According to the AAPA, it is estimated to cost ports $1.125 billion in the first year, and a total of $5.45 billion over ten years to comply with the new requirements.
In September 2004 Washington ports received $3 million in federal port security grants, which included grant funds for the Port of Longview.
Press Releases:
Additional Resources:
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