Debating Coast Guard's Old, New Duties

[JeffL]

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationwo...,6339840.story

Debating Coast Guard's Old, New Duties
Senators sought to protect fishing, boating assistance
By Thomas Frank
WASHINGTON BUREAU

December 12, 2002

Washington - A provision barring the Coast Guard from cutting back on activities such as boating rescues and fisheries protection is drawing criticism from some who say the requirement could undermine the new Homeland Security Department.

The amendment to the recently enacted Homeland Security law aims to ensure the Coast Guard does not focus excessively on security functions such as seaport patrols when it moves from the Transportation Department to the new department by March 1. Boating groups and the fishing industry supported the measure, written by senators from Alaska and Maine, whose economies rely heavily on commercial fishing and boating.

But critics say it sends the wrong message when the administration is trying to get 22 agencies to work together and show flexibility. "It would insulate the Coast Guard to an undue extent and treat it differently from all the other agencies being transferred into the department," said a spokeswoman for Sen. Joseph Lieberman (D-Conn.), who first proposed a new department last year.

Sen. Fred Thompson (R-Tenn.), who helped shape the department, criticized a provision barring Coast Guard ships and aircraft from being used by any other entity in the department. That "could be interpreted as saying the Coast Guard couldn't work with other agencies unless they were in charge of the operation," a spokeswoman said.

President George W. Bush also opposed the measure, but not vigorously. "We were hopeful the Congress would allow the president and new secretary as much flexibility as possible," Homeland Security spokesman Gordon Johndroe said.

But supporters said it would help ensure the continuation of operations such as boating rescues and fisheries protection.

"We're just making sure the Coast Guard doesn't lose its traditional missions," said a spokeswoman for Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), who wrote the provision with Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska). "If the Coast Guard doesn't do that, who is going to do that in a state like Maine?"

The Coast Guard, with six stations on Long Island, is vital to area fishermen and boaters. "The last thing we want to see is the Coast Guard lose any of its search-and-rescue," said Bonnie Brady, executive director of the Long Island Commercial Fishermen's Association.

The Coast Guard supported the amendment but a spokesman said he couldn't say whether it will be equipped to keep up both its civilian functions and its new security duties. "Nobody in the Coast Guard is in a position to say that," spokesman Dan Dewell said.

The Bush administration has proposed increasing the Coast Guard operating budget to $4.6 billion this year from $3.7 billion last year to pay for its expanded duties. "We weren't going to reduce any of their non-homeland security functions anyway," Johndroe said.

The measure culminates an intense battle over the Coast Guard's move to the new department, where it will be the second-largest agency, with 41,000 employees. Some lawmakers had fought to keep the Coast Guard out of the new department.

The Stevens-Collins measure says the Coast Guard in the new department can't have any "significant reduction" in non-homeland security operations.

After the Sept. 11 attacks, the Coast Guard dramatically cut back on enforcing marine-safety laws and protecting fisheries as it stepped up security, escorting cargo vessels into ports and patrolling areas around coastal nuclear power plants.

Although boating and fishing groups support the provision, some are not convinced the law guarantees the Coast Guard will not in fact become more focused on homeland security. "It's helpful, but I've seen too much language in too many laws get circumvented over the years," said Mike Sciulla, lobbyist for the Boat Owners Association of the United States.

Copyright ? 2002, Newsday, Inc.

[OldSnipe]

Jeff,

I think the Guard will get swallowed up by the biggest beauracracy in U.S. history. Homeland Defense is like a universal adaptor, it won't do any one thing great. It will do many things so so and that will be its downfall.

[JeffL]

PAT! Welcome aboard! You and Bill and me - we'll take over this joint!

I don't know what'll happen, but such "mergers' rarely benefit any of the "mergees."

[Viking1]

I happen to agree with Old Snipe, you nailed it. By the way do I see an BM2 anchor clanker under Old Snipe??
Or............am I having a senior moment?

Bob