II 112th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 566 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 14, 2011 Ms. Murkowski introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources A BILL To provide for the establishment of the National Volcano Early Warning and Monitoring System.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the National Volcano Early Warning and Monitoring Program Act.

2.

Definitions

In this Act: (1)

Program

The term program means the National Volcano Early Warning and Monitoring Program established under section 3(a). (2)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.

3.

National volcano early warning and monitoring program

(a)

Establishment

The Secretary shall establish within the United States Geological Survey a program to be known as the National Volcano Early Warning and Monitoring Program. (b)

Components

The program shall consist of a national volcano watch office and data center, which shall oversee and coordinate the activities of United States Geological Survey regional volcano watch and data centers. (c)

Purposes

The purposes of the program are— (1)to monitor and study volcanoes and volcanic activity throughout the United States at a level commensurate with the threat posed by each volcano; and (2)to warn and protect people and property from undue and avoidable harm from volcanic activity.

4.

Management

(a)

Management plan

(1)

In general

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall prepare a management plan for establishing and operating the program. (2)

Inclusions

The management plan shall include— (A)annual cost estimates of— (i)operating the program; and (ii)updating the data collection, monitoring, and analysis systems; (B)annual standards and performance goals; and (C)recommendations for establishing new, or enhancing existing, partnerships with State agencies or universities. (b)

Partnerships

The Secretary may enter into cooperative agreements or partnerships with State agencies and universities, under which the Secretary may designate the agency or university as volcano observatory partners for the program. (c)

Coordination with other Federal agencies

The Secretary shall coordinate activities authorized under this Act with the heads of relevant Federal agencies including— (1)the Secretary of Transportation; (2)the Secretary of Commerce; (3)the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration; and (4)the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Administration. (d)

Grant program

(1)

In general

The Secretary may establish a competitive grant program to support research and monitoring of volcanic activities in furtherance of this Act. (2)

Cost-sharing requirement

The non-Federal share of the total cost of an activity provided assistance under this subsection shall be 25 percent. (e)

Annual report

The Secretary shall annually submit to Congress a report that describes the activities undertaken during the previous year to carry out this Act.

5.

Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2012 through 2022.