Port of Anacortes lands $1.36M EPA grant, advances Coast Guard auxiliary

The Port of Anacortes Commission heard updates on a federally funded Clean Ports planning grant, efforts to reestablish a U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary flotilla, and the Port's cybersecurity and artificial intelligence policies during its Thursday, June 18 meeting.

PORT RECEIVES $1.36M EPA CLEAN PORTS PLANNING GRANT

The Port is beginning work with a $1.36 million EPA Clean Ports planning grant that will fund infrastructure resilience planning, workforce development, community engagement, emissions inventory and air quality planning.

Planning, Properties and Environmental Manager Kevin Anderson said the grant aligns with the Port's goals in his presentation to the commissioners.

"We're primarily focused on economic development, but we have a strong stewardship ethos," Anderson said. "I think this planning effort can really support both arms of that mission."

Anderson said the planning process will help the Port evaluate vulnerabilities to climate change, sea level rise, severe weather, among other hazards, while identifying long-term opportunities for infrastructure and energy investments.

The Port recently released a request for proposals and plans to hire consultants to complete the work.

COAST GUARD AUXILIARY SEEKS PRESENCE IN ANACORTES

Bill Bowman, a vice commander of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, presented plans to create a new Anacortes detachment of the Coast Guard Auxiliary at Thursday's meeting.

His hope, he said, is that the detachment will become a full flotilla.

The Coast Guard Auxiliary is a volunteer civilian component of the U.S. Coast Guard.

Members support Coast Guard operations through efforts such as search and rescue, vessel safety checks and boating safety education. Anacortes previously had an active Coast Guard Auxiliary flotilla established in the 1960s, but it has been inactive recently.

A Coast Guard Auxiliary presence in Anacortes would fill the geographical gap between the existing flotillas in Bellingham and Everett, and provide services to the active boating communities in Anacortes and the San Juan Islands.

"There should be a flotilla," Bowman said. "It's long overdue."

Auxiliary organizers are currently recruiting and will have an information meeting on June 23 at 7 p.m. at the Anacortes Public Library.

The Port commissioners indicated that they are exploring ways to support the effort, including providing meeting space and connecting the group with local partners.

CYBERSECURITY, AI POLICIES

Information Technology Manager Anthony Esposito briefed commissioners on cybersecurity efforts and internal AI policy.

The Port has integrated federally required U.S. Coast Guard cybersecurity standards into its Facility Security Plan ahead of regulatory guidelines and participates in regional and national information sharing networks focused on cyber threats affecting ports and public agencies, according to officials.

Port Executive Director John Dumas noted that cybersecurity has become one of the most significant risks facing ports because cyberattacks can affect transportation systems and supply chains.

"Cybersecurity is the biggest risk to ports," Dumas said. "It's no longer bombs or intrusion, it's someone in a closet with a computer."

Esposito said ports face many of the same cyber threats as other public agencies, but also have unique infrastructure and systems that are at higher risk for cyber attacks and require additional protection.

Commissioners also reviewed a proposed internal policy governing the use of artificial intelligence for Port employees.

Esposito said that AI should be used as a tool that enhances and augments employees, but doesn't replace them. He encouraged a "human in the loop" approach, in which all AI content is reviewed and verified by a human employee.

Potential AI use cases include drafting and summarizing documents, research, data analysis, creating meeting notes and automating routine workflows, he said.

Esposito also discussed developing an internal AI assistant trained on Port policies and procedures to help employees quickly access information.

The Port is also a member of the GovAI Coalition, which is a group of local, state and federal government agencies focused on responsible use of AI in the public sector.

"AI is here, it's traveling 100 miles an hour, and it's going to take everything we have to keep up with it," Dumas said. "But it's a tool, and you've just got to figure out how to control it."

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