"Designating these teams now will give state and local officials a chance to plan, train, and exercise with their federal counterparts before a disaster strikes," said Homeland Security Secretary Chertoff.
The Maritime Infrastructure Recovery Plan would be implemented by the Secretary of Homeland Security in the event of a significant national transportation security incident.
"We are adopting biometric, electronically-based, and secure travel documents that are tamper-resistant, yet provide a very convenient way to move back and forth across our borders," said Deputy Secretary Michael Jackson.
TSA will begin implementing Registered Traveler as a pilot program in 10 to 20 airports. Before nationwide implementation, operations at these airports will be used to evaluate the impact of alternate checkpoint processes on screening and wait times.