Questions raised about millions allocated for contaminated Montana border ports
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been accused of treating federal stimulus money like a bottomless pit of taxpayer dollars. Five border ports in Montana are slated to receive a combined total of approximately $77 million for improvements.
The Port of Whitetail is one of the border ports on board to receive $15.5 million in federal stimulus funding, though it processed only 620 vehicles in June and only 52 vehicles last December. MCC Catamount of Colorado received the contract to build the new port there on September 3.
The Port of Scobey is another of the border ports slated to receive $15 million in federal stimulus money. It processed 447 vehicles in June and 266 vehicles in January. Innovative Technical Solutions Inc. of California received the contract to build the new port there on August 14.
Local residents in Montana agreed that both of the ports need work, but objectors feel that the amount of money set aside is unjustified. They would rather see that kind of money put into essential services like a new school or a new hospital. Some wonder why the two border ports, only 12 miles apart, are both needed at all. Whitetail had only 71 residents at the time of the U.S. Census in 2000.
The problem is that the projects are already under contract, and they cannot legally be stopped, despite opposition and scrutiny. CNN did an investigative report there after criticism from U.S. Senator Byron Dorgon sparked DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano to freeze northern port improvement projects.
While the Port of Scobey can pass as a relatively modern facility, the Port of Whitetail does need a lot of work. The 45-year-old structure has wiring that is so old that it can barely support the port’s required computers and technical equipment. The houses next door that are used by customs agents are contaminated with asbestos, a toxic substance that was commonly used in building materials until about 1980. The well water there is contaminated with a number of dangerous substances. There is general agreement that the ports need to be updated, but many people balk at the multi-million dollar price tag.
For the full story, go to Great Falls Tribune.
