[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 111 (Thursday, July 31, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8524-S8526]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   EARTHQUAKE HAZARDS ACT AMENDMENTS

  Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
now proceed to consideration of Calendar No. 141, S. 910.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A bill (S. 910) to authorize appropriations for carrying 
     out the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1997 for fiscal 
     years 1998 and 1999, and for other purposes, which had been 
     reported from the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation, with an amendment to strike all after the 
     enacting clause and inserting in lieu thereof the 
     following:

     SECTION 1. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       Section 12 of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 
     (42 U.S.C. 7706) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)(7)--
       (A) by striking ``and'' after ``1995,''; and
       (B) by inserting before the period at the end the 
     following: ``, $20,900,000 for the fiscal year ending 
     September 30, 1998, and $21,500,000 for the fiscal year 
     ending September 30, 1999'';
       (2) in subsection (b)--
       (A) by striking ``and'' after ``September 30, 1995;'';
       (B) by inserting before the period at the end the 
     following: ``; $51,142,000 for the fiscal year ending 
     September 30, 1998 of which $3,800,000 shall be used for the 
     Global Seismic Network operated by the Agency; and 
     $52,676,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1999, of 
     which $3,800,000 shall be used for the Global Seismic Network 
     operated by the Agency''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following: ``Of the amounts 
     authorized to be appropriated under this subsection, at 
     least--
       ``(1) $8,000,000 of the amount authorized to be 
     appropriated for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1998; 
     and
       ``(2) $8,250,000 of the amount authorized for the fiscal 
     year ending September 30, 1999,
     shall be used for carrying out a competitive, peer-reviewed 
     program under which the Director, in close coordination with 
     and as a complement to related activities of the United 
     States Geological Survey, awards grants to, or enters into 
     cooperative agreements with, State and local governments and 
     persons or entities from the academic community and the 
     private sector.'';
       (3) in subsection (c)--
       (A) by striking ``and'' after ``September 30, 1995,''; and
       (B) by inserting before the period at the end the 
     following: ``, (3) $18,450,000 for engineering research and 
     $11,920,000 for geosciences research for the fiscal year 
     ending September 30, 1998, and (4) $19,000,000 for 
     engineering research and $12,280,000 for geosciences research 
     for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1999''; and
       (4) in the last sentence of subsection (d)--
       (A) by striking ``and'' after ``September 30, 1995,''; and
       (B) by inserting before the period at the end the 
     following: ``, $2,000,000 for the fiscal year ending 
     September 30, 1998, and $2,060,000 for the fiscal year ending 
     September 30, 1999''.

     SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION OF REAL-TIME SEISMIC HAZARD WARNING 
                   SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT, AND OTHER ACTIVITIES.

       (a) Automatic Seismic Warning System Development.--
       (1) Definitions.--In this section:
       (A) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of 
     the United States Geological Survey.
       (B) High-risk activity.--The term ``high-risk activity'' 
     means an activity that may be adversely affected by a 
     moderate to severe seismic event (as determined by the 
     Director). The term includes high-speed rail transportation.
       (C) Real-time seismic warning system.--The term ``real-time 
     seismic warning system'' means a system that issues warnings 
     in real-time from a network of seismic sensors to a set of 
     analysis processors, directly to receivers related to high-
     risk activities.
       (2) In general.--The Director shall conduct a program to 
     develop a prototype real-time seismic warning system. The 
     Director may enter into such agreements or contracts as may 
     be necessary to carry out the program.
       (3) Upgrade of seismic sensors.--In carrying out a program 
     under paragraph (2), in order to increase the accuracy and 
     speed of seismic event analysis to provide for timely warning 
     signals, the Director shall provide for the upgrading of the 
     network of seismic sensors participating in the prototype to 
     increase the capability of the sensors--
       (A) to measure accurately large magnitude seismic events 
     (as determined by the Director); and
       (B) to acquire additional parametric data.
       (4) Development of communications and computation 
     infrastructure.--In carrying out a program under paragraph 
     (2), the Director shall develop a communications and 
     computation infrastructure that is necessary--
       (A) to process the data obtained from the upgraded seismic 
     sensor network referred to in paragraph (3); and
       (B) to provide for, and carry out, such communications 
     engineering and development as is necessary to facilitate--
       (i) the timely flow of data within a real-time seismic 
     hazard warning system; and
       (ii) the issuance of warnings to receivers related to high-
     risk activities.
       (5) Procurement of computer hardware and computer 
     software.--In carrying out a program under paragraph (2), the 
     Director shall procure such computer hardware and computer 
     software as may be necessary to carry out the program.
       (6) Reports on progress.--
       (A) In general.--Not later than 120 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Director shall prepare and submit 
     to Congress a report that contains a plan for implementing a 
     real-time seismic hazard warning system.
       (B) Additional reports.--Not later than 1 year after the 
     date on which the Director submits the report under 
     subparagraph (A), and annually thereafter, the Director shall 
     prepare and submit to Congress a report that summarizes the 
     progress of the Director in implementing the plan referred to 
     in subparagraph (A).
       (7) Authorization of appropriations.--In addition to the 
     amounts made available to the Director under section 12(b) of 
     the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (42 U.S.C. 
     7706(b)), there are authorized to be appropriated to the 
     Department of the Interior, to be used by the Director to 
     carry out paragraph (2), $3,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
     1998 and 1999.
       (b) Seismic Monitoring Networks Assessment.--
       (1) In general.--The Director shall provide for an 
     assessment of regional seismic monitoring networks in the 
     United States. The assessment shall address--
       (A) the need to update the infrastructure used for 
     collecting seismological data for research and monitoring of 
     seismic events in the United States;
       (B) the need for expanding the capability to record strong 
     ground motions, especially for urban area engineering 
     purposes;
       (C) the need to measure accurately large magnitude seismic 
     events (as determined by the Director);
       (D) the need to acquire additional parametric data; and
       (E) projected costs for meeting the needs described in 
     subparagraphs (A) through (D).
       (2) Results.--The Director shall transmit the results of 
     the assessment conducted under this subsection to Congress 
     not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this 
     Act.
       (c) Earth Science Teaching Materials.--
       (1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
       (A) Local educational agency.--The term ``local educational 
     agency'' has the meaning given that term in section 14101 of 
     the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     8801).
       (B) School.--The term ``school'' means a nonprofit 
     institutional day or residential school that provides 
     education for any of the grades kindergarten through grade 
     12.
       (2) Teaching materials.--In a manner consistent with the 
     requirement under section

[[Page S8525]]

     5(b)(4) of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (42 
     U.S.C. 7704(b)(4)) and subject to a merit based competitive 
     process, the Director of the National Science Foundation may 
     use funds made available to him or her under section 12(c) of 
     such Act (42 U.S.C. 7706(c)) to develop, and make available 
     to schools and local educational agencies for use by schools, 
     at a minimal cost, earth science teaching materials that are 
     designed to meet the needs of elementary and secondary school 
     teachers and students.
       (d) Improved Seismic Hazard Assessment.--
       (1) In general.--As soon as practicable after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Director shall conduct a project 
     to improve the seismic hazard assessment of seismic zones.
       (2) Reports.--
       (A) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, and annually during the period of the 
     project, the Director shall prepare, and submit to Congress, 
     a report on the findings of the project.
       (B) Final report.--Not later than 60 days after the date of 
     termination of the project conducted under this subsection, 
     the Director shall prepare and submit to Congress a report 
     concerning the findings of the project.
       (e) Study of National Earthquake Emergency Training 
     Capabilities.--
       (1) In general.--The Director of the Federal Emergency 
     Management Agency shall conduct an assessment of the need for 
     additional Federal disaster-response training capabilities 
     that are applicable to earthquake response.
       (2) Contents of assessment.--The assessment conducted under 
     this subsection shall include--
       (A) a review of the disaster training programs offered by 
     the Federal Emergency Management Agency at the time of the 
     assessment;
       (B) an estimate of the number and types of emergency 
     response personnel that have, during the period beginning on 
     January 1, 1990 and ending on July 1, 1997, sought the 
     training referred to in subparagraph (A), but have been 
     unable to receive that training as a result of the 
     oversubscription of the training capabilities of the Federal 
     Emergency Management Agency; and
       (C) a recommendation on the need to provide additional 
     Federal disaster-response training centers.
       (3) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Director shall prepare and submit 
     to Congress a report that addresses the results of the 
     assessment conducted under this subsection.

     SEC. 3. COMPREHENSIVE ENGINEERING RESEARCH PLAN.

       (a) National Science Foundation.--Section 5(b)(4) of the 
     Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (42 U.S.C. 
     7704(b)(4)) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (D);
       (2) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (E) 
     and inserting ``; and ''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(F) develop, in conjunction with the Federal Emergency 
     Management Agency, the National institute of Standards and 
     Technology, and the United States Geological Survey, a 
     comprehensive plan for earthquake engineering research to 
     effectively use existing testing facilities and laboratories 
     (in existence at the time of the development of the plan), 
     upgrade facilities and equipment as needed, and integrate 
     new, innovative testing approaches to the research 
     infrastructure in a systematic manner.''.
       (b) Federal Emergency Management Agency.--Section 5(b)(1) 
     of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (42 U.S.C. 
     7704(b)(1)) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (D);
       (2) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (E) 
     and inserting ``; and''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(F) work with the National Science Foundation, the 
     National institute of Standards and Technology, and the 
     United States Geological Survey, to develop a comprehensive 
     plan for earthquake engineering research to effectively use 
     existing testing facilities and laboratories (existing at the 
     time of the development of the plan), upgrade facilities and 
     equipment as needed, and integrate new, innovative testing 
     approaches to the research infrastructure in a systematic 
     manner.''.
       (c) United States Geological Survey.--Section 5(b)(3) of 
     the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (42 U.S.C. 
     7704(b)(3)) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (E);
       (2) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (G) 
     and inserting ``; and''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(H) work with the National Science Foundation, the 
     Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the National 
     Institute of Standards and Technology to develop a 
     comprehensive plan for earthquake engineering research to 
     effectively use existing testing facilities and laboratories 
     (in existence at the time of the development of the plan), 
     upgrade facilities and equipment as needed, and integrate 
     new, innovative testing approaches to the research 
     infrastructure in a systematic manner.''.
     (d) National Institute of Standards and Technology.--Section 
     5(b)(5) of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (42 
     U.S.C. 7704(b)(5)) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (B);
       (2) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (C) 
     and inserting ``; and''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(D) work with the National Science Foundation, the 
     Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the United States 
     Geological Survey to develop a comprehensive plan for 
     earthquake engineering research to effectively use existing 
     testing facilities and laboratories (in existence at the time 
     of the development of the plan), upgrade facilities and 
     equipment as needed, and integrate new, innovative testing 
     approaches to the research infrastructure in a systematic 
     manner.''.

     SEC. 4. REPEALS.

       Sections 6 and 7 of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 
     1977 (42 U.S.C. 7705 and 7705a) are repealed.

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to the immediate 
consideration of the bill?
  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I rise today to reaffirm my support for the 
1998-1999 Reauthorization of the Earthquake Hazard Reduction Act of 
1977.
  I think we can all agree that the goal of the National Earthquake 
Hazard Reduction Program is a prime example of the proper role for 
government. In this bill we are calling for continued effort in the 
areas of public education, fundamental earth science research, 
development of better materials and building practices, and other 
activities that reduce the risk to life and property.
  This bill contains a provision that builds upon the national seismic 
network, improving its capability and forming the basis for a real-time 
seismic hazard warning system. A real-time warning system has the 
potential to save lives by alerting people outside the immediate area 
of an impending seismic shock. Advance warning can be critical in 
preventing injury by giving communities time to curtail high risk 
activities such as high-speed rail transportation, as well as shutoff 
of selected gas, electrical and water feeders to the effected area. 
This is pivotal in limiting the collateral damage caused after an 
earthquake by fire.
  As we have all seen by the devastation in Northridge, CA, the 
consequences of an earthquake are simply too important for a region to 
be lulled into a false sense of safety. This point was brought home to 
me when I heard that an earthquake had struck Chattanooga. Certainly, 
not by any means, a large event, but a reminder, that the threat of 
earthquakes occur throughout the Nation.
  We have also included an important provision which underscores our 
commitment to education. This bill would let NSF create and disseminate 
earth science educational materials in a way that permits easy access 
by educators and the general public. Acknowledging that FEMA and NSF 
have both done an outstanding job in creating educational material, we 
are looking for continued cooperation of all the agencies, one of the 
hallmarks of the National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program [NEHRP].
  To speed the process of moving this important legislation forward, I 
offer a technical amendment which brings the funding authority for USGS 
to the same level reflected in the House of Representatives version of 
this bill. The adoption of this amendment should reduce the time it 
will take for this important legislation to become law.
  Mr. President, I believe that the passage of this legislation will 
continue of the good work that these four agencies have been 
undertaking--work that saves property, but most importantly, saves 
American lives.
  Mr. HOLLINGS. Mr President, I rise today in support of passage of S. 
910, a bill to reauthorize appropriations for the Earthquake Hazards 
Reduction Act. Catastrophic earthquakes are inevitable in the United 
States. Scientists consider California to be the most likely location 
for major earthquakes; however, all or parts of 39 states--populated by 
more than 70 million people--have been classified as having major or 
moderate seismic risk. Earthquakes are not uncommon in Alaska, Idaho, 
Utah, and Nevada. Major earthquakes east of the Rockies are infrequent 
but can prove devastating. In 1811-12, three huge earthquakes rocked 
the New Madrid area of Missouri, near St. Louis and Memphis. These 
earthquakes were so powerful that they changed the course of the 
Mississippi River and rang bells in Boston. In 1886, an earthquake 
leveled my hometown of Charleston. Estimates of the strength of the 
Charleston quake range from 7.0 to 7.6 on the Richter Scale. Of 
particular interest and concern about the east coast quakes is that 
there is no known geological origin for them. This fact underscores the

[[Page S8526]]

possibility of unpredictable seismic activity in the United States.
  What we do know, though, is that the loss of life and property from 
earthquakes can be considerable. For example, the January 17, 1994, 
earthquake at Northridge, CA, was classified as only ``moderate'' in 
magnitude. Nonetheless, 57 people died, and injuries totaled over 
6,500. In addition, insurance payments for this moderate event were 
over $6 billion, and the Federal supplemental appropriation totaled 
another $9 billion. The Northridge has become the second most expensive 
natural disaster in American history, exceeded only by Hurricane 
Andrew. Reducing damage from earthquakes would not only save lives but 
also save both private insurers and the Federal Government considerable 
amounts of money.
  That is what NEHRP, National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program, 
established by the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977, is 
designed to do. It is a Federal interagency program designed to help 
minimize the loss of life and property caused by earthquakes. It 
supports scientific research on the origins of earthquakes, and funds 
engineering research to make buildings and other structures more 
seismically resistant. NEHRP also disseminates this technical 
information to the states, and helps states and localities prepare for 
earthquakes. NEHRP focuses on helping states prepare for earthquakes, 
in contrast to Federal disaster response programs that help states 
after a major event.
  The Northridge earthquake illustrates both NEHRP's accomplishments 
and what some observers believe are continuing problems.
  The most important accomplishment was the survival of most of the 
buildings and highway overpasses which were built to meet new seismic 
codes or retrofitted to meet those codes. For example, highway bridges 
designed using standards developed after the late 1970s performed very 
well. The most dramatic story concerns the retrofit of older highway 
overpasses. After the Loma Prieta earthquake in Northern California in 
1989, university researchers and Federal engineers, using NEHRP funds, 
undertook a crash program to develop new ways to retrofit older highway 
bridges and began applying those retrofit techniques to overpasses in 
Southern California. At Northridge, six major highway bridges 
collapsed. While further study is needed, it appears that the older 
overpasses that were retrofitted survived, while those that did not 
often failed.
  Northridge also illustrated some continuing problems such as the 
strength of ``lifelines''--water line, natural gas pipelines, 
electrical lines, and so forth. Little research has been done to date 
on how to make these facilities more earthquake-resistant. Dramatic 
film from Northridge showed flooded streets with shooting jets of 
burning natural gas and illustrated how easily these lines are broken.
  Mr. President, S. 910 will authorize the funding needed to continue 
the good work that has been done by the four participating agencies in 
NEHRP--the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Geological 
Survey, the National Science Foundation, and the National Institute of 
Standards and Technology--and will allow them to address problems like 
ruptured lifelines that continue to plague disaster response teams.
  This bill also will require new assessments of our seismic hazard 
warning systems, and our earthquake emergency training facilities to 
ensure that the warning systems and training facilities are up to date, 
properly operating, and responsive. In assessing the current conditions 
of the seismic monitoring networks, the agencies are expected to pay 
greater attention to understudied areas like the eastern seaboard where 
catastrophic seismic events have occurred in the past, and are 
predicted to occur in the future--yet are more difficult to understand.
  This is a good bill. I commend the Senator from Tennessee for his 
diligence in this area, and I encourage my colleagues to support 
passage of this measure today.


                           Amendment No. 1054

       (Purpose: To increase the authorization for the United 
     States Geological Survey for 1998 and 1999.)
  Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, Senator Frist has an amendment at the 
desk, and I ask for its consideration.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       The Senator from Virginia [Mr. Warner], for Mr. Frist, 
     proposes an amendment numbered 1054.

  Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that further 
reading of the amendment be dispensed with.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The amendment is as follows:

       On page 9, line 19, strike ``$51,142,000'' and insert 
     ``$52,565,000''.
       On page 9, line 22, strike ``$52,676,000'' and insert 
     ``$54,052,000''.

  Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the amendment 
be agreed to.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The amendment (No. 1054) was agreed to.
  Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be 
considered read a third time and passed, as amended, the motion to 
reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements relating to 
the bill appear at the appropriate place in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The bill (S. 910), as amended, was deemed read the third time and 
passed.
  (The text of S. 910, as passed, will be printed in a future edition 
of the Record.)

                          ____________________