Speech
SAIC Homeland Security Testimony
Testimony of Governor Judy Martz
State Capitol
1/24/2002
I hope this hearing begins a continuous dialogue between my Administration and the Legislature to address potential threats to the citizens of our state, their homes, and their livelihoods.
We need to work together to ensure that preventative measures are taken to deter potential acts of terror. We must also work together to ensure that there are thoughtful plans in place should acts of terror occur.
And certainly, collaboration will be vitally important to ensure that these plans are adequately coordinated and funded.
Broadly speaking, we must do this in a manner which keeps government and its facilities open to the citizens of Montana.
Members of my Cabinet, many of whom you will hear from today, have been very active in responding to potential threats and laying plans for any acts that may take place. The Department of Public Health and Human Services, the Department of Administration and the Department of Military Affairs in particular have key roles to play. [pause]
One of the first questions people ask when the issue of homeland security is raised is that of the real risk to the citizens of Montana. Is Montana really at risk? What real vulnerabilities do we have?
This is a difficult question to answer.
Not being able to quantify or focus on a single person, group, or threat makes the job harder and in some ways requires more diligence. Perhaps suggesting that being better prepared for terrorism, makes us better prepared for all hazards.
With that foundation, we have in place a number of mechanisms through which the state is coordinating our security efforts. [pause]
Prior to September 11th, the State of Montana had and continues to have in place an effective emergency management system to deal with disasters such as forest fires and floods.
In light of the tragic events of 9/11, however, new measures needed to be taken and our Administration responded quickly.
On October 18th of 2001 I signed an Executive Order establishing the Homeland Security Task Force for the State of Montana.
As you know, this Task Force includes a representative from my office, the congressional delegation; state legislators; the Montana Departments of Justice and Corrections; local fire, emergency medical services and law enforcement; the Montana National Guard; the FBI; the Office of the U.S. Attorney; the U.S. Postal Service; Montana Disaster and Emergency Services and other federal, state, and local agencies. As you know, the Task Force is chaired by Director of Disaster and Emergency Services Jim Greene.
I would like to note particularly the time that President Tom Beck and Speaker Dan McGee have taken to actively participate in Task Force meetings.
Their insights and contributions have been and will continue to be vitally important as we work together to consider the financial burdens that state and local communities have had to shoulder in the aftermath of September 11th. [pause]
The Task Force is coordinating the development of clear lines of communication and protocol for working with the U.S. Office of Homeland Security, the Anti-Terrorism Task Force and all other relevant federal, state, local, tribal and private agencies and organizations.
It is also coordinating efforts to prevent, prepare for and protect against terrorist attacks within Montana, and when necessary, detect, respond to, and recover from such attacks.
In December, the Task Force submitted to me Montana’s Three-Year Domestic Preparedness Strategic Plan and has already received U.S. Department of Justice approval for federal funding.
Due to the events of September 11th, the timeframe for the plan was accelerated and the strategic plan was completed four months ahead of schedule.
Currently, the Task Force is developing their own strategic plan which will address more broadly homeland security issues and the four phases of preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation. In addition to the above hazards, the Task Force’s plan will also deal with explosives, cyber-terrorism, arson, and others. [pause]
The events of September 11 were a catalyst for what are on-going efforts at the local, tribal, state and federal levels to analyze potential threats and the governments’ ability to prevent and respond to them. This collaborative effort is crucial.
We are doing this by utilizing existing committees in addition to Homeland Security Task Force, such as SERC and the old Y2K group. Agencies are also networking with their own groups, such as DPHHS, with the variety of health and medical groups.
I felt strongly enough about the importance of Information Technology to the State of Montana that I appointed our State Chief Information Officer, Brian Wolf, to the Task Force.
At the very time we are working to make the State more efficient and effective by the use of technology as well as offer State services to our citizens and businesses online, we have to be concerned about ‘cyber-terrorists’ that would cause harm to our State technology systems.
Brian and his staff are working with state agencies and others to identify and correct potential vulnerabilities in our state network and information systems in regard to security and disaster recovery.
I have also requested that he look at 911/E-911 and Public Safety Radio Communications to ensure that we maximize the security that these systems provide to the citizens of Montana. [pause]
The role of the Montana National Guard has been, and will continue to be, key in our Homeland Security efforts.
‘Airport Guardian’ represents the first activation of Montana Army National Guard soldiers in support of homeland security. It is also the first time that Montana National Guard troops and airmen have been activated for a federal national security mission while remaining under the command of the Governor.
The Guard is supporting security operations in 14 Montana airports, and this support will continue until the Federal Aviation Administration has trained security personnel ready to take over the mission. [pause]
The Homeland Security Task Force has been focusing, since it’s inception, on planning and coordination. In the coming months, it will be very important for that focus to become one of funding mechanisms and priorities.
We will work to determine the needs of the various agencies, the potential funding sources, and the priorities for the best security of all Montana citizens.
On a federal level, we are working with Montana’s congressional delegation and President Bush’s Office of Homeland Security to ensure that federal funds are delivered to supplant state and local budgets that are already stretched. This is particularly true given that Montana is a significant border state.
At this time, however, it is unclear in the federal budget process what exact funds will be available to states and the specific needs that those funds will cover. Through the Task Force, my Administration will be working in the coming months to prioritize our needs, and work to secure appropriate federal funds to address them. [pause]
The federal government needs to pay its fair share of the increased costs that have been caused due to these events, and work to adequately protect the citizens of northern border states given our unique security needs.
This past December, I was requested to testify before the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Treasury and General Government regarding the specific needs of border states.
As many of you know, Montana’s border with Canada is approximately 550 miles long, with 11 Montana counties along it. There are 15 official ports of entry along this 550 miles of which only three operate 24 hours per day. It is estimated that there are 180 border crossings; 12 of which are paved; the remainder are gravel, dirt and primitive trails.
Border security – and all aspects of state homeland security in general -- if not done properly and with foresight to look at the cascading implications, could have a very detrimental impact upon communities, the state and the national economy.
It is critically important that any significant changes in border crossings involve departments of commerce, emergency management and law enforcement.
I made the recommendation to the Committee that one of the most important steps the federal government could take to support state and local efforts to secure our northern border is to improve intelligence gathering capability and communication between federal, state, tribal and local law enforcement.
We also encouraged federal officials to work with states to provide adequate resources to bolster the U.S. Border Patrol, Customs and Immigration agencies so that all issues specific to the border with our Canadian neighbors can be addressed in a professional partnership.
There is a very delicate balance between increasing security and ensuring that the border economy is not negatively affected.
Continued vigilance and fiscal discipline will not prevent us from feeling long-term economic ramifications. State and local budgets – particularly those of local law enforcement – are feeling the severe strain of increased security measures.
A priority must be placed on improving local capabilities. In a response, most of the lives saved will be by local responders in the first few hours. This is an area in which the state may need to support local governments.
A specific project that will help is a scheduled exercise of the State Emergency Coordination Plan to take place this November. This will be based on an earthquake scenario that will test the State’s Continuity of Government plan.
Preparation for this exercise was started prior to September 11th but will exercise many of the same response efforts that would occur if the event was terrorism instead of a natural hazard.
I look forward to working with the legislature in the coming months. I also appreciate the collaboration of all representatives on the Task Force and urge them to continue to work together as we evaluate our current level of preparedness and plan for the future.
In conclusion, the citizens of the State of Montana deserve a government that is accountable to them and works to address their most urgent needs. The security of our families, our homes, and our livelihoods is an important component of this service.
Many members of my Cabinet are here today and look forward to answering your specific questions. I urge the legislature to work with my administration and look forward to continuing this dialogue as we all work to ensure the security of every Montana citizen.
Thank you.
