(October 13, 2006) -- CA Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed an Executive Order creating a "California Maritime Security Council" -- which includes no elected officials -- to develop a statewide maritime security strategy.
LBReport.com posts the full text of Governor Schwarzenegger's Executive Order below.
Gov. Schwarzenegger's action comes just weeks after he vetoed SB 927 by State Sen. Alan Lowenthal (D, LB-SP-PV) that would have levied a container fee to fund port security, clean air measures and rail cargo projects. The City of Long Beach (in a unanimous 2005 vote of its City Council) supported the container fee measure and newly elected Mayor Bob Foster had urged the Governor to sign it...but the bill was opposed by the "CA Ass'n of Port Authorities" in which the Ports of LB and L.A. are both members (and pay dues using public money) while the Port of LB remained publicly neutral.
Governor Schwarzenegger included the "CA Ass'n of Port Authorities" as a member of his "Maritime Security Council."
The "CA Ass'n of Port Authorities" also urged the defeat of SB 764 ("no net increase" in port air pollution) by Sen. Lowenthal and AB 1101 (diesel magnet sources) bill by Assemblywoman Jenny Oropeza (D., Carson-LB)...both of which were likewise supported by the City of Long Beach (while the Port of LB remained publicly neutral).
[Sen. Lowenthal's "no net increase" bill was killed by Assembly Democrat leaders, reportedly miffed with Lowenthal for advancing a redistricting reform measure; Assemblywoman Oropeza's diesel magnet sources bill died on the State Senate floor, a body controlled by Democrats.]
The text of Gov. Schwarzenegger's Executive Order follows:
[Begin text]
EXECUTIVE ORDER S-19-06
WHEREAS on September 11, 2001, the United States of America was struck by a series of terrorist attacks where nearly 3,000 innocent lives were lost; and
WHEREAS the President signed the Maritime Transportation Security Act on November 25, 2002, to protect the nation's ports and waterways from a terrorist attack; and
WHEREAS the National Strategy for Maritime Security was issued by the President on September 20, 2005; and
WHEREAS the United States Coast Guard has established three Area Maritime Security Committees in California dedicated to identifying potential threats and improving security measures, procedures, and communications; and
Whereas the California Office of Homeland Security is a member of California's three Area Maritime Security Committees; and
WHEREAS securing California's ports and preparing for emergencies is critical to public safety and the State's continued economic prosperity; and
Whereas California ports handle 43 percent of the nation's waterborne commerce, are home to a major U.S. Navy installation, and a substantial cruise ship industry; and
WHEREAS a catastrophic event at one of California's ports would have a devastating impact on the people who work at ports, the residents of port communities, and California's economy.
NOW, THEREFORE I, ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, Governor of the State of California, by virtue of the power and authority vested in my by the Constitution and statutes of the State of California, do hereby issue this Order to become effective immediately:
1. The Director of the Office of Homeland Security shall create the California Maritime Security Council to enhance port security through statewide collaboration and information sharing.
2. The California Maritime Security Council Membership shall include:
a. Director of the Office of Homeland Security, or his or her designee, who will serve as Chair
b. Commander, U.S. Coast Guard, District Eleven, or his or her designee, who will serve as Vice Chair
c. Secretary of the Business, Transportation & Housing Agency, or his or her designee
d. Director of the Office of Emergency Services, or his or her designee
e. Adjutant General of the California National Guard, or his or her designee
f. Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol, or his or her designee
g. Assistant Director in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, or his or her designee
h. Commander of the United States Navy Region Southwest, or his or her designee
i. Director of the Western Region of the United States Department of Transportation Maritime Administration, or his or her designee
j. President of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, Northern California District Council, or his or her designee
k. President of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, Southern California District Council, or his or her designee
l. President of the California Association of Port Authorities, or his or her designee
m. President of the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association, or his or her designee
n. Executive Director of Port Hueneme, or his or her designee
o. Executive Director of Port of Long Beach, or his or her designee
p. Executive Director of Port of Los Angeles, or his or her designee
q. Executive Director of Port of Oakland, or his or her designee
r. Executive Director of Port of Richmond, or his or her designee
s. Executive Director of Port of San Diego, or his or her designee
t. Executive Director of Port of San Francisco, or his or her designee
u. Executive Director of Port of Stockton, or his or her designee
v. Other representatives that the Director of the Office of Homeland Security determines are necessary to carry out the mission of the California Maritime Security Council.
3. The California Maritime Security Council shall be responsible for:
a. Identifying areas where port stakeholders can improve statewide collaboration and information sharing to identify potential threats;
b. Identifying areas where institutionalized coordination through codified processes will enhance security, emergency response procedures, communications, coordinating contingency planning, and other areas of mutual responsibility across the State of California;
c. Developing a statewide maritime security strategy;
d. Preparing plans to quickly recover from a catastrophic event at a California port; and
e. Developing a strategy to increase the amount of homeland security funding California receives from the United States Department of Homeland Security by establishing baseline levels of preparedness.
4. The California Maritime Security Council shall submit a report of its activities and recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature no later than November 1, 2007, and annually thereafter.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the agencies under my direct executive authority shall cooperate in the implementation of this Order. Other entities such as the United States Coast Guard, the Unites States Navy, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the California port authorities, and labor unions or other entities are requested to assist in its implementation.
This Order is not intended to, and does not create any rights or benefits, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity, against the State of California, its departments, agencies, or other entities, its officers or employees, or any other person.
I DIRECT that as soon as hereafter possible, this Order be filed in the Office of the Secretary of State and that widespread publicity and notice be given to this Order.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 12th day of October 2006.
s/ Arnold Schwarzenegger
Governor of California
