Lafourche Port seeks security grant; $2 million request would fund communication upgrades

Despite having had mixed results in securing security grant funding in the past, the Greater Lafourche Port Commission is expect to submit a proposal to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for the upcoming seventh round of security funding being made available to ports in the United States.

The port received grant funding in 2003 totaling some $1.3 million. With those monies, the commission purchased a patrol vessel along with a state-of-the-art camera system that was placed at strategic points throughout port property.

To determine grant funding United State ports are listed by “tiers.” The larger ports in the nation are listed as “Tier 1,” which the ports of New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Plaquemines and south Louisiana fall under.

Port Fourchon has been designated a “Tier 3” port and is listed with ports in Miami, Anchorage, San Diego, Pensacola, Tampa Bay, Honolulu, Portland and Detroit among others. In all, 51 ports are listed in the third tier classification.

The grant funding is allocated among the various tiers with $30 million being allocated for distribution among the “tier 3”ports.

According to Chet Chiasson, grants director for the port, the commission is seeking $2 million for communications upgrades. “We had several communication issues during the recent storms and feel that is among the most pressing needs to be addressed,” he said.

Chiasson said that should the grant be awarded, the commission is expected to purchase two 350-foot tall communication towers. One will be located at the commission office in Galliano and the other located at the port.

The towers will allow port officials to be in constant contact with other agencies such as police, fire and other public services in time of emergency.

“We currently use the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port (LOOP) towers and communications now and they typically shut down operations hours before a storm makes landfall,” Chiasson said. “It makes us somewhat vulnerable after that point so it’s important we address this communications gap that sometimes exists.”

Chiasson also expects the commission to purchase other important communications equipment with the potential funding including two way radios, walkie-talkies and possibly satellite phones.

Applications for the funding are due by March 6 to the United States Department of Homeland Security.

Port Fourchon has been ineligible for some of the earlier rounds for grant funding because of tightly drawn criteria; the port was recently added to the list of eligible entities through the efforts of the Louisiana Congressional delegation.