Pale Rider
06-23-2007, 03:52 AM
DHS Secure Border Initiative Delayed
By DAN CATERINICCHIA AP Business Writer
WASHINGTON — Technical issues are delaying the completion of a multibillion-dollar high-tech fence intended to reduce illegal entry along the nation's southern border, the government said Thursday.
Some lawmakers are questioning why Boeing Co., the lead contractor, and staff at the Department of Homeland Security waited until a day after a hearing earlier this month to update Congress on the delay.
The first phase of the project involves building nine towers that are dotted along 28 miles of the Arizona-Mexico border, and bracket the Sasabe, Ariz., port of entry.
Boeing, the world's largest aerospace company, in September won a three-year, $67 million contract to install the fence, the initial step in a multibillion-dollar plan to reduce illegal entry along 6,000 miles of U.S. borders with Canada and Mexico.
At the hearing on June 7, no problems or delays on so-called Project 28 were mentioned. But the next day DHS officials notified congressional staff of a one-week lag due to radar problems, according to a letter questioning how and when Congress was informed.
The letter was sent Tuesday to DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff by House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., and Rep. Loretta Sanchez, D-Calif., chair of subcommittee that held the hearing.
"It is unacceptable that the department chose to disclose this information via telephone to committee staff, rather than providing a thorough assessment of the project's status directly to committee members at the hearing," the letter says.
DHS spokesman Russ Knocke said Boeing did not tell the department about the radar issues, which were identified on the day of the subcommittee hearing, until June 8 when the information was promptly passed to the committee.
"It was coincidental. Nonetheless, it's still not acceptable," Knocke said Thursday, adding that Chertoff will respond to the letter soon.
DHS officials called House committee staff Friday to inform them that Project 28 would be further delayed. In addition to the radar issue, Boeing also is working through technical glitches hampering complete camera coverage from all nine towers back to the common operating video terminals used by Customs and Border Protection agents, Knocke said.
Boeing set the original deadlines and has not provided a new target date for completion, Knocke said, adding only that "we are moving with an absolute sense of urgency."
"We continue to work toward the resolution of a few remaining technical matters on the border," said Boeing spokesman Eric Mazzacone, who referred questions about the delay to Customs and Borders Protection.
A CPB spokesman said no hard date had been set for completion. He added that even after the system is working properly, border agents will need to be trained to use it.
The House last week passed a $37.4 billion DHS funding bill that provides $1 billion for the project, but President Bush has said he will veto the overall measure since it exceeds the administration's request by $2.1 billion.
Shares of Chicago-based Boeing added $1.12 to $97.20 on Thursday.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/fn/4910220.html
By DAN CATERINICCHIA AP Business Writer
WASHINGTON — Technical issues are delaying the completion of a multibillion-dollar high-tech fence intended to reduce illegal entry along the nation's southern border, the government said Thursday.
Some lawmakers are questioning why Boeing Co., the lead contractor, and staff at the Department of Homeland Security waited until a day after a hearing earlier this month to update Congress on the delay.
The first phase of the project involves building nine towers that are dotted along 28 miles of the Arizona-Mexico border, and bracket the Sasabe, Ariz., port of entry.
Boeing, the world's largest aerospace company, in September won a three-year, $67 million contract to install the fence, the initial step in a multibillion-dollar plan to reduce illegal entry along 6,000 miles of U.S. borders with Canada and Mexico.
At the hearing on June 7, no problems or delays on so-called Project 28 were mentioned. But the next day DHS officials notified congressional staff of a one-week lag due to radar problems, according to a letter questioning how and when Congress was informed.
The letter was sent Tuesday to DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff by House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., and Rep. Loretta Sanchez, D-Calif., chair of subcommittee that held the hearing.
"It is unacceptable that the department chose to disclose this information via telephone to committee staff, rather than providing a thorough assessment of the project's status directly to committee members at the hearing," the letter says.
DHS spokesman Russ Knocke said Boeing did not tell the department about the radar issues, which were identified on the day of the subcommittee hearing, until June 8 when the information was promptly passed to the committee.
"It was coincidental. Nonetheless, it's still not acceptable," Knocke said Thursday, adding that Chertoff will respond to the letter soon.
DHS officials called House committee staff Friday to inform them that Project 28 would be further delayed. In addition to the radar issue, Boeing also is working through technical glitches hampering complete camera coverage from all nine towers back to the common operating video terminals used by Customs and Border Protection agents, Knocke said.
Boeing set the original deadlines and has not provided a new target date for completion, Knocke said, adding only that "we are moving with an absolute sense of urgency."
"We continue to work toward the resolution of a few remaining technical matters on the border," said Boeing spokesman Eric Mazzacone, who referred questions about the delay to Customs and Borders Protection.
A CPB spokesman said no hard date had been set for completion. He added that even after the system is working properly, border agents will need to be trained to use it.
The House last week passed a $37.4 billion DHS funding bill that provides $1 billion for the project, but President Bush has said he will veto the overall measure since it exceeds the administration's request by $2.1 billion.
Shares of Chicago-based Boeing added $1.12 to $97.20 on Thursday.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/fn/4910220.html