Office of Grants and Training 

Preparedness Directorate 

U.S. Department of Homeland Security 

Washington, DC 20531 

 

G&T Information Bulletin 

No. 204 March 20, 2006 

TO: All State Administrative Agency Heads 

 All State Administrative Agency Points of Contact 

 All State Homeland Security Directors 

 

FROM: Tracy Henke, Assistant Secretary 

SUBJECT: Operation Stonegarden 

On January 6, 2006, The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the expansion 

of Operation Stonegarden, an initiative that will give states additional funding and flexibility to 

strengthen America’s borders. 

As part of the Fiscal Year 2006 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP), the Law 

Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program (LETPP) will award $400 million in grants to 

states based on risk and need. In fiscal year 2006, the LETPP allows for up to 25 percent of 

the funds awarded to each state to be used for border protection during a DHS-declared 

Code Yellow. Funding will be contingent upon recipients having an approved operational 

plan developed jointly between state, tribal and local law enforcement officials and U.S. 

Customs and Border Protection (CBP). 

In addition, the Department will retroactively allow states to reprogram up to 25% of 

previously awarded, unobligated LETPP funds from both FY 2004 and FY 2005 for use on 

border security activities. Allowable activities are limited to: 

• Operational overtime costs associated with providing enhanced law enforcement 

activities in support of federal agencies for increased border security enhancement; 

• National Guard deployments in support of border security activities; and 

• Travel and per diem costs associated with the deployment/redeployment of personnel 

to border areas. Fuel and maintenance costs for routine patrols are not allowable. 

To ensure the greatest degree of coordination of law enforcement assets, the use of federal 

funding from DHS for state border security related activities will require the states to combine 

any existing state-funded border security initiatives within the Operation Stonegarden 

framework developed by the U.S. Border Patrol headquarters and relevant sectors. 
 

States wishing to utilize prior year funding to participate in Operation Stonegarden must 

submit operational plans to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Headquarters. No funds 

may be obligated or drawn down in support of these activities without HQ-CBP approval of 

operational plans and submission of CBP and G&T approved budget detail worksheets. 

These worksheets will be provided by CBP Headquarters. State, local, and tribal law 

enforcement agencies shall not use this funding to supplant their inherent routine patrol and 

law enforcement operations or activities in order to perform other activities not directly related 

to providing an enhanced law enforcement presence. 

States should note that there is no NEW funding for this initiative. States may, if they deem 

appropriate, reprogram up to 25% of existing FY 2004 and 2005 LETPP funding for 

Operation Stonegarden. As well, states are reminded that they must comply with the 80/20 

pass through requirements. 

Attached please find CBP sector contacts in your state. These contacts will coordinate 

operational implementation of this bulletin. For further information on G&T program 

guidance, please contact your Preparedness Officer or the G&T Helpline at 1-800-368-6498.