Funding for DHS preparedness grants cut by $1B

The DHS recently released the FY 2012 guidance and application kits for seven grant programs that support the National Preparedness Goal. Grants total more than $1.3 billion, a reduction of nearly $1 billion from FY 2011 and $1.5 billion below the President Obama’s FY 2012 request. The DHS preparedness grants give priority this year to applicants in the nation’s highest-risk areas, including urban areas, with a focus on terrorism prevention.

“Given the significant reduction in grant funding this year, we are maximizing limited grant dollars by setting clear priorities and focusing on the areas that face the greatest risk,” DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano said in a statement.

All preparedness grant applications are due no later than May 4. Final submissions must be made through the Non-Disaster (ND) Grants system.

Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP): $830 million
The Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) provides more than $830 million for states and urban areas to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism and other threats.

Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI): $490 million
The Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) provides more than $490 million to enhance regional preparedness and capabilities in 31 high-threat, high-density areas. The 9/11 Act requires states to dedicate 25% of UASI funds to law enforcement terrorism prevention activities.

Emergency Management Performance Grants (EMPG): $339 million
Emergency Management Performance Grants (EMPG) Program provides more than $339 million to assist state and local governments in enhancing and sustaining all-hazards emergency management capabilities.

State Homeland Security Program (SHSP): $294 million
The State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) provides $294 million to support the implementation of state homeland security strategies to build and strengthen preparedness capabilities at all levels. The 9/11 Act requires states to dedicate 25% of SHSP funds to law enforcement terrorism prevention activities.

Port Security Grant Program (PSGP): $97 million
Port Security Grant Program (PSGP) provides more than $97 million to help protect critical port infrastructure from terrorism, enhance maritime domain awareness and strengthen risk management capabilities in order to protect against improvised explosive devices and other non-conventional weapons.

Transit Security Grant Program (TSGP): $87 million
Transit Security Grant Program (TSGP) provides more than $87 million to owners and operators of transit systems to protect critical surface transportation and the traveling public from acts of terrorism and to increase the resilience of transit infrastructure.

Operation Stonegarden (OPSG): $46 million
Operation Stonegarden (OPSG) provides more than $46 million to enhance cooperation and coordination among federal, state, territorial, tribal and local law enforcement agencies to jointly enhance security along the U.S. land and water borders.

Intercity Passenger Rail (Amtrak) Program: $10 million
Intercity Passenger Rail (Amtrak) Program provides $10 million to protect critical surface transportation infrastructure and the traveling public from terrorism and increase the resilience of the Amtrak rail system.

Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP): $10 million
Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) provides $10 million to support target hardening and other physical security enhancements for nonprofit organizations determined to be at high risk of a terrorist attack and located within one of the FY 2012 UASI-eligible urban areas.

Tribal Homeland Security Grant Program (THSGP): $6 million
Tribal Homeland Security Grant Program (THSGP) provides $6 million to eligible tribal applicants to implement preparedness initiatives to help strengthen the nation against risk associated with potential terrorist attacks and other hazards.