Security Planning Underway For Sea Island Summit

For this event, a number of DHS entities will supplement security efforts, including air and sea patrols from the United States Coast Guard (USCG), ground support by the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC), additional airport resources from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), securing of federal facilities by the Federal Protective Service (FPS), additional ground and air security support from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and procedures in place to process large
numbers of international diplomats, media and other visitors by Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Planning and implementation of the overall G-8 security plans remains on schedule and all public safety services provided to area residents will continue to operate at normal levels and staffing.

“The security plans for the summit have been developed through the collective efforts of our federal, state, and local partner agencies,” said U.S. Secret Service Director W. Ralph Basham. “Our goal is not only to ensure security of the summit site, but to create a safe and secure environment for all participants, visitors and area residents.”

The following information is being provided to inform area residents of the initial security measures which may impact their daily routines:
• Additional traffic congestion in Savannah, St. Simons Island and Brunswick areas is expected. Specific announcements regarding possible street closures will be announced at a later date.
• All traffic utilizing the Torras Causeway will be monitored, with some vehicles being subject to additional inspection.
• Access to Sea Island will be restricted to summit participants and island residents only. Access to Hutchinson Island will also be restricted east of U.S. Highway 17. Additional information on restrictions and access for residents is being made available directly to residents and those affected by the restrictions.
• There are no plans to restrict local businesses from operating during the summit.

However, commercial deliveries to businesses located near official summit event sites in Brunswick, St. Simons Island, Jekyll Island, and Savannah will be allowed, but may require coordination with security personnel. Additional information on the coordination process is forthcoming.
• A combined air security plan is being developed that will provide an airspace security zone for Savannah and the coastal Georgia area.
- The following airports will be closed to general aviation: Malcolm B. McKinnon Airport on St. Simons Island, Jekyll Island Airport and Glynco Jetport in Brunswick. Commerical flights into the Glynco Jetport will operate as normal.
- The Federal Aviation Administration will conduct two “Flight Advisory Town Hall Meetings” in May in Savannah and Brunswick. For specific information on the meeting times and locations, please visit the FAA Safety Program website at http://faasafety.gov.
- The specifics of the airspace security zone will be announced by the Federal Aviation Administration in May.
• A combined water security plan is being developed that will provide a security zone along the Savannah River and the waterways around Sea Island and St. Simons Island. This proposed security zone was published in the Federal Register by the U.S. Coast Guard on April 8, 2004. As published, the zones include:
- Sea Island: “The proposed rule would prohibit the entry of all vessels and persons into the waters in the vicinity of Sea Island, Jekyll Island, and all waters of the Atlantic Ocean from the baseline of Sea Island and Jekyll islands extending seaward to a distance of 3 nautical miles, as well as waters on the Hampton River, Jones Creek, Lanier Island, St. Simons Sound, and the security zones prohibit entering closer than 100-yards to certain bridges within these same areas.”
- Savannah: “The proposed temporary security zones would prohibit the entry of all vessels into all waters of the Savannah River from Port Wentworth south to the boundary of the proposed temporary regulated navigation area that is located in the vicinity of the south east tip of Elba Island at the western portion of the Lower Flats Range. The proposed temporary regulated navigation area would control the movement of all vessels operating on the Intracoastal Waterway in the vicinity of Fields Cut and south through Elba Island Cut to St. Augustine Creek.”
- The full text of the proposed water security plan is available by searching for the “G8 Summit” at www.gpoaccess.gov.