The United States' maritime coastal security poses a significant challenge due to the vastness of its coastline and the complexity of its maritime borders. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The United States' maritime coastal security poses a significant challenge due to the vastness of its coastline and the complexity of its maritime borders. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Geodetic Survey there are approximately 95,000 miles of coastline. According to the Department of Homeland Security 2007 Transportation Systems publication there are “361 ports, and 3.3 million square miles of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) to secure”. The country's maritime borders present a formidable task for security agencies.
Now for a comparison - The combined land borders between the United States and Canada, according to the joint International Boundary Commission is 2,380 miles. In addition, the joint US-Mexico International Boundary and Water Commission state that the Mexico-United States border extends 1,954 miles. The combined US-Mexico and US-Canada borders of 4,334 miles represent only 4.5% of the combined U.S. land and maritime border and coastline that can potentially be exploited.
Historical Context and Evolution of Maritime Coastal Security
In 1816, Congress appropriated an initial $800,000 ($19 million in today’s dollars) to build a fortification system, referred to as the Third System, to protect the country's coastline. President James Monroe's Second Inaugural Address in 1821 highlighted the significance of
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