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Posted Oct 31, 2009; 3:57 AM

Sturgeon Bay nets federal waterways protection grant

By Ramelle Bintz
rbintz@doorcountyadvocate.com

The Sturgeon Bay Police and Fire departments have been offered a $649,887 federal grant to enhance the security and protection of waterways in the region.

The Department of Homeland Security considers it such a high priority that it is a 100 percent grant with no local funding required.

The funds will be used to strengthen the police department's ability to protect critical infrastructure facilities and transit systems, as well as assisting the fire department in improving their response and firefighter safety.

The Port Security Grant provides funding for:

A 27-foot police/fire/rescue boat.

18 wireless digital surveillance cameras for the port of Sturgeon Bay.

Equipment for the local combined Sturgeon Bay Police/Door County Sheriff SWAT Team.

Underwater scanning sonar.

Training expenses associated with the grant.

"This isn't just for Sturgeon Bay," said Sturgeon Bay Police Chief Dan Trelka, "but for the whole region."

It has not yet been determined where or who the boat will be purchased from, Trelka said. It will be kept at one of the local marinas.

Sturgeon Bay Police Capt. Arleigh Porter and Sturgeon Bay firefighter Kalin Montevideo submitted the application this spring after learning there was a possibility to receive funding through federal stimulus grants. The intention is to infuse this money into the local economy to the greatest extent possible, Trelka said.

The Sturgeon Bay Finance Committee voted 3-0 to accept the funding this week, and it will be voted on next week by the full Common Council.

Only five communities (Green Bay, Milwaukee, Fountain City, Marinette County and Sturgeon Bay) in the state were offered grant funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Port Security Grant Program. The largest award was offered to Sturgeon Bay.