Goal 3: Protect Critical Infrastructure

Working closely with State and local officials, other Federal agencies, and the private sector, DHS helps to ensure that proper steps are taken to protect critical infrastructure, property and the economy of our nation from acts of terrorism, natural disasters or other emergencies. America's critical infrastructure includes food and water systems, agriculture, health systems and emergency services, information and telecommunications, banking and finance, energy (electrical, nuclear, gas and oil, dams), transportation (air, road, rail, ports, waterways), the chemical and defense industries, postal and shipping entities, and national monuments and icons.

Summarized below are some of the key accomplishments associated with the goal of protecting critical infrastructure:

Buffer Zone Protection Plans Helped Protect Communities from Potential Terrorist Attacks Against Chemical Facilities: In 2006, 58 percent of identified critical infrastructure has implemented Buffer Zone Protection (BZP) Plans, up significantly from our FY 2005 percentage of 18 percent. The Department worked in collaboration with State, local, and tribal entities by providing training workshops, seminars, technical assistance and a common template to standardize the BZP plan development process.

DHS Completed the National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP): The NIPP is a comprehensive risk management framework that clearly defines critical infrastructure protection roles and responsibilities for all levels of government, private industry, nongovernmental agencies and tribal partners.

TSA Conducted Rail Security Explosives Detection Pilot Programs: Rail Security Explosives Detection Pilot Programs were conducted in Baltimore, MD and Jersey City, NJ to test and evaluate security equipment and operating procedures as part of DHS' broader efforts to protect citizens and critical infrastructure from possible terrorist attacks.

U.S. Coast Guard Implemented the National Capital Region Air Defense Mission: The U.S. Coast Guard officially assumed responsibility for air intercept operations in the Nation's capital from CBP. The Coast Guard will support the North American Aerospace Defense Command's mission with its rotary wing air intercept capability. Coast Guard HH-65C helicopters and crews will be responsible for intercepting unauthorized aircraft which fly into an air defense identification zone that surrounds Washington, D.C. Since assuming the mission on September 25, 2006, the Coast Guard has successfully responded to 23 of the 23 incursions into the National Capital Region Air Space.

The Secret Service Continued its 100 Percent Protection Rate of Our Nation's Leaders: To safeguard our Nation's leaders, the Department operates the Domestic Protectees program 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to protect the President and Vice President and their families, former Presidents and their spouses, and other individuals designated by statute or Presidential directive. All protectees arrived and departed safely 100 percent of the time at more than 6,275 travel stops during FY 2006.

We will protect critical infrastructure by continuing to foster mutually beneficial partnerships with industry owners and operators. Our FY 2008 budget request builds on the 17 sector-specific plans as identified in the National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP), which will be complete this year. We will continue to enhance protection through our chemical plant security program and regulations to protect high risk rail shipments in urban areas. The FY 2008 budget request will support this goal by providing:

• An increase of $30 million is requested for DNDO's "Securing the Cities" initiative. Building off analytical work done in FY 2006 and FY 2007 in support of the New York region, DHS will begin the implementation of strategies developed through the course of this analysis. Activities included in the development of regional strategies include analyses of critical road networks, mass transit, maritime, and rail vulnerabilities. DNDO will engage State and local partners in additional urban areas beginning in FY 2008 to tailor strategies and lessons learned from the New York region to meet requirements specific to these regions.
• An increase of $21.9 million is proposed for the newly formed Science and Technology Office of Innovation to provide increases to programs developing game-changing and leap-ahead technologies to address some of the highest priority needs of the Department. The technologies being developed will be used to create a resilient electric grid to protect critical infrastructure sites, detect tunnels along the border, defeat improvised explosive devices, and utilize high-altitude platforms and/or ground-based systems for detection and engagement of MANPADS in order to offer alternative solutions to installing systems on aircraft.
• An increase of $15 million is requested to improve Chemical Site Security and regulate security of chemical plants. The funding will be used to establish the Chemical Security Compliance Division which will include a national program office to manage training of inspector staff, help desk personnel and other administrative staff. The division will also include an Inspector/field staff of subject matter experts in chemical engineering, process safety, as well as an adjudication office. Funds will also be spent on assisting chemical facilities with vulnerability assessments.
• TSA requests an increase of $3.5 million to expand its National Explosive Detection Canine Team program by approximately 45 teams to support the Nation's largest passenger transportation systems in both mass transit and ferry systems.
• An increase of $11.5 million is requested for the Coast Guard's National Capital Region Air Defense program. This funding is needed to make seven HH-65 helicopters fully mission ready, enabling the Coast Guard to continue protecting the National Capital Region against potential airborne attacks.
• An increase of $35.6 million for the Presidential Campaign will enable the Secret Service to provide the appropriate level of resources to adequately protect the candidates and nominees during the 2008 Presidential Campaign while sustaining other protective programs.