09/25/2009: "But SJC Has A Nuclear Ban …"

( Coast Guard takes part in an exercise -Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's photo)

$262 million dollars in 2006 doubled a previous budget item for domestic programs to safeguard against nuclear, biological, and chemical threats within the U.S.

Fast track to 2009, and evidence the program is still afloat showed up on local waters this month as an estimated 50 federal and state vessels participated in the West Coast Maritime Pilot exercise that involved law enforcement and first responder personnel conducting radiological screening of small vessels as part of a training drill.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory(PNNL) coordinated activities with the Coast Guard and Customs and Border Protection, and many other state, local and tribal agencies for the two-day event. Team members used radiation detection equipment ranging from portable hand-held sensors to boat-mounted systems.

“This week’s effort shows we can add another layer of defense and security to Puget Sound waters with minimal impact to law abiding small vessel operators,” said PNNL’s Bill Peterson.

The drill included more than 300 trained maritime law enforcement and first responder personnel from federal, state, local and tribal agencies.

Puget Sound was selected for the pilot demonstration because it is home to the third largest commercial and naval port in the U.S, hosts the nation’s largest ferry system and sees significant small vessel traffic regularly entering U.S. waters across the 125 miles of open maritime border. Increased boat traffic on the Sound is anticipated during the Winter Olympics games to be held in Vancouver, British Columbia, in 2010.

“Our goal was to coordinate efforts by DHS and regional partners to prevent illicit radiological or nuclear materials from entering Puget Sound waterways by way of small vessels,” said PNNL Maritime Project Manager Bill Peterson. “The exercise allowed us to operationally assess these advanced technology systems and protocols.” The pilot directly supports the DHS Small Vessel Security Strategy, which serves to reduce potential security and safety risks on our waterways and at our nation’s many ports.
DHS’s Domestic Nuclear Detection Office invested $3.5 million in equipment and training for state and local personnel in preventive radiological detection for the Puget Sound pilot.

“Our objective is to safely identify and interdict radiological or nuclear weapons or materials as far away as possible from populated areas and critical facilities,” said Coast Guard Captain Dave Crowley. “And, while this improves the region’s security, it’s essential our efforts cause minimal impact to routine commercial and recreational boating activities.”

During the event, PNNL worked with DNDO to coordinate with various federal, state, tribal and regional maritime partners to provide guidance on operational protocols, equipment, equipment training and exercise development for the pilot.

While authorities stress that no known current threat exists, the opportunity did provide DNDO and its partners a chance to conduct the exercise under real world conditions. The partnering agencies assessed the geographic layout of the ports and designed a method to maximize detection and interdiction opportunities away from populated areas and critical infrastructure.