Infrastructure Protection Plan Fast-tracked Right Past the Public

[acmejack]

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a Nov. 2 draft of its National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP) and only provided a two-week window for requesting a copy of the plan and a 30-day public comment period. According to its authors, the report offers a "comprehensive, integrated national plan for the protection of critical infrastructures and key resources." Yet, the time constraints on viewing and commenting on it do not allow for substantive public review or response. The NIPP Program Management Office rejected a request by OMB Watch to extend the comment period by 60 days with no explanation for its decision.

In a federal register notice, without an accompanying press release, DHS informed the public of the availability of the draft NIPP along with instructions for obtaining a copy for review. The agency announced in the notice that the draft plan would only be available to the public for 15 days by formal request and established a Dec. 5 deadline for public comment on the 175-page NIPP.

These tight timeframes severely limit the ability of groups and concerned citizens to access and provide input on the report. Given the extensive nature of the report, as well as the importance of the subject matter, it seems clear that additional time should be allotted to allow for greater public input.

http://www.ombwatch.org/article/articleview/3174/1/403