By Shelia Watson
Contributing Writer

Earlier this month, President Bush signed into law the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2007, which provides $32 billion in funds for the department and several sub-agencies, including money for projects in Charleston.

South Carolina’s U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham and Jim DeMint applauded the passage of the bill, which will help fund border and port security, Coast Guard operations and threat-based grant programs.

“South Carolina makes tremendous contributions to protecting our nation,” said Graham. “This legislation funds some of our nation’s most important priorities in terms of securing our borders, ports and defending ourselves in the war on terror. It demonstrates the import role our state plays and will continue to play in homeland security.”

“This bill provides important funding that highlights South Carolina’s role in securing America’s homeland,” said DeMint. “As we continue to fight the war on terror and secure our ports and borders, I’m pleased South Carolina will be at the forefront.”

The act appropriates the funds needed to protect the United States against terrorism, secure the country’s borders, assist states and localities in dealing with natural disasters and perform other functions of the Department of Homeland Security. It also strengthens the capabilities of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to prepare for and respond to emergencies that require action by the federal government.

Funding for local projects includes $2.5 million for acquisition, construction, improvements and related expenses for the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center located on the old Navy base in North Charleston.

FLETC-Charleston is one of three FLETC training sites in the United States and has been part of the DHS since 2003. Prior to that, the Charleston facility had been used by the Border Patrol to accommodate overflow training from its facilities in Brunswick, Ga.

In December 2004, the U.S. Coast Guard officially consolidated its Maritime Law Enforcement School and its Boarding Team Member School into a new Coast Guard Maritime Law Enforcement Academy at FLETC-Charleston. The administrative office of the U.S. Courts, Federal Probation and Pretrial Services established its academy at FLETC-Charleston in January 2005.

FLETC-Charleston’s training facilities include modular mat rooms, boat boarding platforms and shipboard simulators. In 2005, the facility began construction of a 25-point, 50-yard firearms range, a visitor center and main entry gate, off-site commercial vehicle inspection and mail screening facility and a new data center/central monitoring/security building. The facility can accommodate more than 800 students in three dormitories; the dining facility can seat 1,000 students and staff.

“What we typically do with those funds is use it for renovations and maintenance,” said Gene Coon, site director for FLETC-Charleston. “We have a rather large facility here—over 250 acres and a number of buildings—and it takes a lot to maintain it.”

Some funds will be used for minor construction such as additional training platforms, mock-up fuselages to be used for training and restroom facilities, Coon said.

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