[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 28 (Tuesday, March 2, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H975-H984]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
NATURAL HAZARDS RISK REDUCTION ACT OF 2010
Mr. WU. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(H.R. 3820) to reauthorize Federal natural hazards reduction programs,
and for other purposes, as amended.
[[Page H976]]
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 3820
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Natural Hazards Risk
Reduction Act of 2010''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) The United States faces significant risks from many
types of natural hazards, including earthquakes, hurricanes,
tornadoes, wildfires, and floods. Increasing numbers of
Americans are living in areas prone to these hazards.
(2) Earthquakes occur without warning and can have
devastating effects. According to the U.S. Geological Survey,
two recent earthquakes, the Northridge Earthquake in 1994,
and the Loma Prieta Earthquake in 1989, killed nearly 100
people, injured 12,757, and caused $33 billion in damages.
Nearly all States face some level of seismic risk. Twenty-six
urban areas in 14 States have a significant seismic risk.
(3) Severe weather is the most costly natural hazard,
measured on a per year basis. According to data from the
National Weather Service over the last 10 years, tornadoes,
thunderstorms, and hurricanes have caused an average of 226
fatalities and $16 billion of property damage per year. The
2005 hurricane season was one of the most destructive in
United States history, killing 1,836 people, and causing $80
billion in damage.
(4) The United States Fire Administration reports that 38
percent of new home construction in 2002 was in areas
adjacent to, or intermixed with, wildlands. Fires in the
wildland-urban interface are costly. For example, the 2007
California Witch fire alone caused $1.3 billion in insured
property losses, according to the Insurance Services Office
(ISO). In addition, Government Accountability Office reported
in 2007 that the Federal spending for wildfire suppression
between 2001 and 2005 was, on average, $2.9 billion per year.
(5) Developing better knowledge about natural hazard
phenomena and their effects is crucial to assessing the risks
these hazards pose to communities. Instrumentation,
monitoring, and data gathering to characterize earthquakes
and wind events are important activities to increase this
knowledge.
(6) Current building codes and standards can mitigate the
damages caused by natural hazards. The Institute for Business
and Home Safety estimated that the $19 billion in damage
caused by Hurricane Andrew in 1994 could have been reduced by
half if such codes and standards were in effect. Research for
the continuous improvement of building codes, standards, and
design practices--and for developing methods to retrofit
existing structures--is crucial to mitigating losses from
natural hazards.
(7) Since its creation in 1977, the National Earthquake
Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) has supported research to
develop seismic codes, standards, and building practices that
have been widely adopted. The NEHRP Recommended Provisions
for Seismic Regulations for New Buildings and Other
Structures and the Guidance for Seismic Performance
Assessment of Buildings are two examples.
(8) Research to understand the institutional, social,
behavioral, and economic factors that influence how
households, businesses, and communities perceive risk and
prepare for natural hazards, and how well they recover after
a disaster, can increase the implementation of risk
mitigation measures.
(9) A major goal of the Federal natural hazards-related
research and development effort should be to reduce the loss
of life and damage to communities and infrastructure through
increasing the adoption of hazard mitigation measures.
(10) Research, development, and technology transfer to
secure infrastructure is vitally important. Infrastructure
that supports electricity, transportation, drinking water,
and other services is vital immediately after a disaster, and
their quick return to function speeds the economic recovery
of a disaster-impacted community.
TITLE I--EARTHQUAKES
SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``National Earthquake
Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of 2010''.
SEC. 102. FINDINGS.
Section 2 of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977
(42 U.S.C. 7701) is repealed.
SEC. 103. DEFINITIONS.
Section 4 of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977
(42 U.S.C. 7703) is amended by striking paragraphs (8) and
(9).
SEC. 104. NATIONAL EARTHQUAKE HAZARDS REDUCTION PROGRAM.
Section 5 of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977
(42 U.S.C. 7704) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:
``(2) Program activities.--The activities of the Program
shall be designed to--
``(A) research and develop effective methods, tools, and
technologies to reduce the risk posed by earthquakes to the
built environment, especially to lessen the risk to existing
structures and lifelines;
``(B) improve the understanding of earthquakes and their
effects on households, businesses, communities, buildings,
structures, and lifelines, through interdisciplinary and
multidisciplinary research that involves engineering, natural
sciences, and social sciences; and
``(C) facilitate the adoption of earthquake risk reduction
measures by households, businesses, communities, local,
State, and Federal governments, national standards and model
building code organizations, architects and engineers,
building owners, and others with a role in planning for
disasters and planning, constructing, retrofitting, and
insuring buildings, structures, and lifelines through--
``(i) grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, and
technical assistance;
``(ii) development of standards, guidelines, voluntary
consensus standards, and other design guidance for earthquake
hazards risk reduction for buildings, structures, and
lifelines;
``(iii) outreach and information dissemination to
communities on location-specific earthquake hazards and
methods to reduce the risks from those hazards; and
``(iv) development and maintenance of a repository of
information, including technical data, on seismic risk and
hazards reduction.''; and
(B) by striking paragraphs (3) through (5);
(2) by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:
``(b) Responsibilities of Program Agencies.--
``(1) Lead agency.--The National Institute of Standards and
Technology (in this section referred to as the `Institute')
shall be responsible for planning and coordinating the
Program. In carrying out this paragraph, the Director of the
Institute shall--
``(A) ensure that the Program includes the necessary
components to promote the implementation of earthquake
hazards risk reduction measures by households, businesses,
communities, local, State, and Federal governments, national
standards and model building code organizations, architects
and engineers, building owners, and others with a role in
preparing for disasters, or the planning, constructing,
retrofitting, and insuring of buildings, structures, and
lifelines;
``(B) support the development of performance-based seismic
engineering tools, and work with the appropriate groups to
promote the commercial application of such tools, through
earthquake-related building codes, standards, and
construction practices;
``(C) ensure the use of social science research and
findings in informing research and technology development
priorities, communicating earthquake risks to the public,
developing earthquake risk mitigation strategies, and
preparing for earthquake disasters;
``(D) coordinate all Federal post-earthquake
investigations; and
``(E) when warranted by research or investigative findings,
issue recommendations for changes in model codes to the
relevant code development organizations, and report back to
Congress on whether such recommendations were adopted.
``(2) National institute of standards and technology.--In
addition to the lead agency responsibilities described under
paragraph (1), the Institute shall be responsible for
carrying out research and development to improve building
codes and standards and practices for buildings, structures,
and lifelines. In carrying out this paragraph, the Director
of the Institute shall--
``(A) work, in conjunction with other appropriate Federal
agencies, to support the development of improved seismic
standards and model codes;
``(B) in coordination with other appropriate Federal
agencies, work closely with standards and model code
development organizations, professional societies, and
practicing engineers, architects, and others involved in the
construction of buildings, structures, and lifelines, to
promote better building practices, including by--
``(i) developing technical resources for practitioners on
new knowledge and standards of practice; and
``(ii) developing methods and tools to facilitate the
incorporation of earthquake engineering principles into
design and construction practices;
``(C) develop tools, technologies, methods, and
practitioner guidance to feasibly and cost-effectively
retrofit existing buildings and structures to increase their
earthquake resiliency; and
``(D) work closely with national standards organizations,
and other interested parties, to develop seismic safety
standards and practices for new and existing lifelines.
``(3) Federal emergency management agency.--
``(A) In general.--The Federal Emergency Management Agency
(in this paragraph referred to as the `Agency'), consistent
with the Agency's all hazards approach, shall be responsible
for facilitating the development and adoption of standards,
model building codes, and better seismic building practices,
developing tools to assess earthquake hazards, promoting the
adoption of hazard mitigation measures, and carrying out a
program of direct assistance to States and localities to
mitigate earthquake risks to buildings, structures,
lifelines, and communities.
``(B) Director's duties.--The Director of the Agency
shall--
``(i) work closely with other relevant Federal agencies,
standards and model building code development organizations,
architects,
[[Page H977]]
engineers, and other professionals, to facilitate the
development and adoption of standards, model codes, and
design and construction practices to increase the earthquake
resiliency of new and existing buildings, structures, and
lifelines in the--
``(I) preparation, maintenance, and wide dissemination of
design guidance, model building codes and standards, and
practices to increase the earthquake resiliency of new and
existing buildings, structures, and lifelines;
``(II) development of performance-based design guidelines
and methodologies supporting model codes for buildings,
structures, and lifelines; and
``(III) development of methods and tools to facilitate the
incorporation of earthquake engineering principles into
design and construction practices;
``(ii) develop tools, technologies, and methods to assist
local planners, and others, to model and predict the
potential impact of earthquake damage in seismically
hazardous areas; and
``(iii) support the implementation of a comprehensive
earthquake education and public awareness program, including
the development of materials and their wide dissemination to
all appropriate audiences, and support public access to
locality-specific information that may assist the public in
preparing for, mitigating against, responding to, and
recovering from earthquakes and related disasters.
``(C) State assistance grant program.--The Director of the
Agency shall operate a program of grants and assistance to
enable States to develop mitigation, preparedness, and
response plans, compare inventories and conduct seismic
safety inspections of critical structures and lifelines,
update building and zoning codes and ordinances to enhance
seismic safety, increase earthquake awareness and education,
and encourage the development of multistate groups for such
purposes. The Director shall operate such programs in
coordination with the all hazards mitigation and preparedness
programs authorized by the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief
and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.), in
order to ensure that such programs are as consistent as
possible. In order to qualify for assistance under this
subparagraph, a State must--
``(i) demonstrate that the assistance will result in
enhanced seismic safety in the State;
``(ii) provide 50 percent of the costs of the activities
for which assistance is being given, except that the Director
may lower or waive the cost-share requirement for these
activities in exceptional cases of economic hardship; and
``(iii) meet such other requirements as the Director of the
Agency shall prescribe.
``(D) Federal emergency management agency role and
responsibility.--Nothing in this Act shall be construed to
diminish the role and responsibility of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency with regard to all hazards preparedness,
response, recovery, and mitigation.
``(4) United states geological survey.--The United States
Geological Survey (in this paragraph referred to as the
`Survey') shall conduct research and other activities
necessary to characterize and identify earthquake hazards,
assess earthquake risks, monitor seismic activity, and
provide real-time earthquake information. In carrying out
this paragraph, the Director of the Survey shall--
``(A) conduct a systematic assessment of the seismic risks
in each region of the Nation prone to earthquakes, including,
where appropriate, the establishment and operation of
intensive monitoring projects on hazardous faults, detailed
seismic hazard and risk studies in urban and other developed
areas where earthquake risk is determined to be significant,
and engineering seismology studies;
``(B) work with officials of State and local governments to
ensure that they are knowledgeable about the specific seismic
risks in their areas;
``(C) develop standard procedures, in consultation with the
Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, for
issuing earthquake alerts, including aftershock advisories,
and, to the extent possible, ensure that such alerts are
compatible with the Integrated Public Alerts and Warning
System program authorized by section 202 of the Robert T.
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42
U.S.C. 5132);
``(D) issue when justified, and notify the Director of the
Federal Emergency Management Agency of, an earthquake
prediction or other earthquake advisory, which may be
evaluated by the National Earthquake Prediction Evaluation
Council;
``(E) operate, as integral parts of the Advanced National
Seismic Research and Monitoring System, a National Earthquake
Information Center and a national seismic network, together
providing timely and accurate information on earthquakes
world-wide;
``(F) support the operation of regional seismic networks in
areas of higher seismic risk;
``(G) develop and support seismic instrumentation of
buildings and other structures to obtain data on their
response to earthquakes for use in engineering studies and
assessment of damage;
``(H) monitor and assess Earth surface deformation as it
pertains to the evaluation of earthquake hazards and impacts;
``(I) work with other Program agencies to maintain
awareness of, and where appropriate cooperate with,
earthquake risk reduction efforts in other countries, to
ensure that the Program benefits from relevant information
and advances in those countries;
``(J) maintain suitable seismic hazard maps in support of
building codes for structures and lifelines, including
additional maps needed for performance-based design
approaches, and, to the extent possible, ensure that such
maps are developed consistent with the multihazard advisory
maps authorized by section 203(k) of the Robert T. Stafford
Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C.
5133(k));
``(K) conduct a competitive, peer-reviewed process which
awards grants and cooperative agreements to complement and
extend related internal Survey research and monitoring
activities; and
``(L) operate, in cooperation with the National Science
Foundation, a Global Seismographic Network for detection of
earthquakes around the world and research into fundamental
earth processes.
``(5) National science foundation.--The National Science
Foundation shall be responsible for funding basic research
that furthers the understanding of earthquakes, earthquake
engineering, and community preparation and response to
earthquakes. In carrying out this paragraph, the Director of
the National Science Foundation shall--
``(A) support multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary
research that will improve the resiliency of communities to
earthquakes, including--
``(i) research that improves the safety and performance of
buildings, structures, and lifelines, including the use of
the large-scale experimental and computational facilities of
the George E. Brown, Jr. Network for Engineering Earthquake
Simulation;
``(ii) research to support more effective earthquake
mitigation and response measures, such as developing better
knowledge of the specific types of vulnerabilities faced by
segments of the community vulnerable to earthquakes,
addressing the barriers they face in adopting mitigation and
preparation measures, and developing methods to better
communicate the risks of earthquakes and to promote
mitigation; and
``(iii) research on the response of communities,
households, businesses, and emergency responders to
earthquakes;
``(B) support research to understand earthquake processes,
earthquake patterns, and earthquake frequencies;
``(C) encourage prompt dissemination of significant
findings, sharing of data, samples, physical collections, and
other supporting materials, and development of intellectual
property so research results can be used by appropriate
organizations to mitigate earthquake damage;
``(D) work with other Program agencies to maintain
awareness of, and where appropriate cooperate with,
earthquake risk reduction research efforts in other
countries, to ensure that the Program benefits from relevant
information and advances in those countries; and
``(E) include to the maximum extent practicable diverse
institutions, including Historically Black Colleges and
Universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribal Colleges
and Universities, Alaska Native-serving institutions, and
Native Hawaiian-serving institutions.''; and
(3) in subsection (c)(1) by inserting ``on Natural Hazards
Risk Reduction established under section 301 of the Natural
Hazards Risk Reduction Act of 2010'' after ``Interagency
Coordinating Committee''.
SEC. 105. POST-EARTHQUAKE INVESTIGATIONS PROGRAM.
Section 11 of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977
(42 U.S.C. 7705e) is amended by striking ``There is
established'' and all that follows through ``conduct of such
earthquake investigations.'' and inserting ``The Program
shall include a post-earthquake investigations program, the
purpose of which is to investigate major earthquakes so as to
learn lessons which can be applied to reduce the loss of
lives and property in future earthquakes. The lead Program
agency, in consultation with each Program agency, shall
organize investigations to study the implications of the
earthquakes in the areas of responsibility of each Program
agency. The investigations shall begin as rapidly as possible
and may be conducted by grantees and contractors. The Program
agencies shall ensure that the results of the investigations
are disseminated widely.''.
SEC. 106. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) In General.--Section 12 of the Earthquake Hazards
Reduction Act of 1977 (42 U.S.C. 7706) is amended--
(1) by adding at the end of subsection (a) the following:
``(9) There are authorized to be appropriated to the
Federal Emergency Management Agency for carrying out this
Act--
``(A) $10,238,000 for fiscal year 2010;
``(B) $10,545,000 for fiscal year 2011;
``(C) $10,861,000 for fiscal year 2012;
``(D) $11,187,000 for fiscal year 2013; and
``(E) $11,523,000 for fiscal year 2014.'';
(2) by adding at the end of subsection (b) the following:
``(3) There are authorized to be appropriated to the United
States Geological Survey for carrying out this Act--
``(A) $90,000,000 for fiscal year 2010, of which
$36,000,000 shall be made available for completion of the
Advanced National Seismic Research and Monitoring System;
``(B) $92,100,000 for fiscal year 2011, of which
$37,000,000 shall be made available for completion of the
Advanced National Seismic Research and Monitoring System;
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``(C) $94,263,000 for fiscal year 2012, of which
$38,000,000 shall be made available for completion of the
Advanced National Seismic Research and Monitoring System;
``(D) $96,491,000 for fiscal year 2013, of which
$39,000,000 shall be made available for completion of the
Advanced National Seismic Research and Monitoring System; and
``(E) $98,786,000 for fiscal year 2014, of which
$40,000,000 shall be made available for completion of the
Advanced National Seismic Research and Monitoring System.'';
(3) by adding at the end of subsection (c) the following:
``(3) There are authorized to be appropriated to the
National Science Foundation for carrying out this Act--
``(A) $64,125,000 for fiscal year 2010;
``(B) $66,049,000 for fiscal year 2011;
``(C) $68,030,000 for fiscal year 2012;
``(D) $70,071,000 for fiscal year 2013; and
``(E) $72,173,000 for fiscal year 2014.''; and
(4) by adding at the end of subsection (d) the following:
``(3) There are authorized to be appropriated to the
National Institute of Standards and Technology for carrying
out this Act--
``(A) $7,000,000 for fiscal year 2010;
``(B) $7,700,000 for fiscal year 2011;
``(C) $7,931,000 for fiscal year 2012;
``(D) $8,169,000 for fiscal year 2013; and
``(E) $8,414,000 for fiscal year 2014.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 14 of the National
Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (42 U.S.C. 7708) is
amended--
(1) by striking ``(a) Establishment.--''; and
(2) by striking subsection (b).
TITLE II--WIND
SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``National Windstorm Impact
Reduction Act Reauthorization of 2010''.
SEC. 202. PURPOSE.
Section 202 of the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act
of 2004 (42 U.S.C. 15701) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 202. PURPOSE.
``It is the purpose of the Congress in this title to
achieve a major measurable reduction in losses of life and
property from windstorms through the establishment and
maintenance of an effective Windstorm Impact Reduction
Program. The objectives of such Program shall include--
``(1) the education of households, businesses, and
communities about the risks posed by windstorms, and the
identification of locations, structures, lifelines, and
segments of the community which are especially vulnerable to
windstorm damage and disruption, and the dissemination of
information on methods to reduce those risks;
``(2) the development of technologically and economically
feasible design and construction methods and procedures to
make new and existing structures, in areas of windstorm risk,
windstorm resilient, giving high priority to the development
of such methods and procedures for lifelines, structures
associated with a potential high loss of life, and structures
that are especially needed in times of disasters, such as
hospitals and public safety and shelter facilities;
``(3) the implementation, in areas of major windstorm risk,
of instrumentation to record and gather data on windstorms
and the characteristics of the wind during those events, and
continued research to increase the understanding of windstorm
phenomena;
``(4) the development, publication, and promotion, in
conjunction with State and local officials and professional
organizations, of model building codes and standards and
other means to encourage consideration of information about
windstorm risk in making decisions about land use policy and
construction activity; and
``(5) the facilitation of the adoption of windstorm risk
mitigation measures in areas of windstorm risk by households,
businesses, and communities through outreach, incentive
programs, and other means.''.
SEC. 203. DEFINITIONS.
Section 203(1) of the National Windstorm Impact Reduction
Act of 2004 (42 U.S.C. 15702(1)) is amended by striking
``Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy''
and inserting ``Director of the National Institute of
Standards and Technology''.
SEC. 204. NATIONAL WINDSTORM IMPACT REDUCTION PROGRAM.
Section 204 of the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act
of 2004 (42 U.S.C. 15703) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 204. NATIONAL WINDSTORM IMPACT REDUCTION PROGRAM.
``(a) Establishment.--There is established the National
Windstorm Impact Reduction Program.
``(b) Program Activities.--The activities of the Program
shall be designed to--
``(1) research and develop cost-effective, feasible
methods, tools, and technologies to reduce the risks posed by
windstorms to the built environment, especially to lessen the
risk to existing structures and lifelines;
``(2) improve the understanding of windstorms and their
impacts on households, businesses, communities, buildings,
structures, and lifelines, through interdisciplinary and
multidisciplinary research that involves engineering, natural
sciences, and social sciences; and
``(3) facilitate the adoption of windstorm risk reduction
measures by households, businesses, communities, local, State
and Federal governments, national standards and model
building code organizations, architects and engineers,
building owners, and others with a role in planning for
disasters and planning, constructing, retrofitting, and
insuring buildings, structures, and lifelines through--
``(A) grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, and
technical assistance;
``(B) development of hazard maps, standards, guidelines,
voluntary consensus standards, and other design guidance for
windstorm risk reduction for buildings, structures, and
lifelines;
``(C) outreach and information dissemination to communities
on site specific windstorm hazards and ways to reduce the
risks from those hazards; and
``(D) development and maintenance of a repository of
information, including technical data, on windstorm hazards
and risk reduction;
``(c) Responsibilities of Program Agencies.--
``(1) Lead agency.--The National Institute of Standards and
Technology (in this section referred to as the `Institute')
shall be responsible for planning and coordinating the
Program. In carrying out this paragraph, the Director of the
Institute shall--
``(A) ensure that the Program includes the necessary
components to promote the implementation of windstorm risk
reduction measures by households, businesses, communities,
local, State, and Federal governments, national standards and
model building code organizations, architects and engineers,
building owners, and others with a role in planning and
preparing for disasters, and planning constructing, and
retrofitting, and insuring buildings, structures, and
lifelines;
``(B) support the development of performance-based
engineering tools, and work with the appropriate groups to
promote the commercial application of such tools, through
wind-related building codes, standards, and construction
practices;
``(C) ensure the use of social science research and
findings in informing the development of technology and
research priorities, in communicating windstorm risks to the
public, in developing windstorm risk mitigation strategies,
and in preparing for windstorm disasters;
``(D) coordinate all Federal post-windstorm investigations;
and
``(E) when warranted by research or investigative findings,
issue recommendations for changes in model codes to the
relevant code development organizations, and report back to
Congress on whether such recommendations were adopted.
``(2) National institute of standards and technology.--In
addition to the lead agency responsibilities described under
paragraph (1), the Institute shall be responsible for
carrying out research and development to improve model codes,
standards, design guidance and practices for the construction
and retrofit of buildings, structures, and lifelines. In
carrying out this paragraph, the Director of the Institute
shall--
``(A) support the development of instrumentation, data
processing, and archival capabilities, and standards for the
instrumentation and its deployment, to measure wind, wind
loading, and other properties of severe wind and structure
response;
``(B) coordinate with other appropriate Federal agencies to
make the data described in subparagraph (A) available to
researchers, standards and code developers, and local
planners;
``(C) support the development of tools and methods for the
collection of data on the loss of and damage to structures,
and data on surviving structures after severe windstorm
events;
``(D) improve the knowledge of the impact of severe wind on
buildings, structures, lifelines, and communities;
``(E) develop cost-effective windstorm impact reduction
tools, methods, and technologies;
``(F) work, in conjunction with other appropriate Federal
agencies, to support the development of wind standards and
model codes; and
``(G) in conjunction with other appropriate Federal
agencies, work closely with standards and model code
development organizations, professional societies, and
practicing engineers, architects, and others involved in the
construction of buildings, structures, and lifelines, to
promote better building practices, including by--
``(i) supporting the development of technical resources for
practitioners to implement new knowledge; and
``(ii) supporting the development of methods and tools to
incorporate wind engineering principles into design and
construction practices.
``(3) Federal emergency management agency.--The Federal
Emergency Management Agency, consistent with the Agency's all
hazards approach, shall support the development of risk
assessment tools and effective mitigation techniques, assist
with windstorm-related data collection and analysis, and
support outreach, information dissemination, and
implementation of windstorm preparedness and mitigation
measures by households, businesses, and communities,
including by--
``(A) working to develop or improve risk-assessment tools,
methods, and models;
``(B) work closely with other appropriate Federal agencies
to develop and facilitate the adoption of windstorm impact
reduction measures, including by--
``(i) developing cost-effective retrofit measures for
existing buildings, structures,
[[Page H979]]
and lifelines to improve windstorm performance;
``(ii) developing methods, tools, and technologies to
improve the planning, design, and construction of new
buildings, structures, and lifelines;
``(iii) supporting the development of model wind codes and
standards for buildings, structures, and lifelines; and
``(iv) developing technical resources for practitioners
that reflect new knowledge and standards of practice; and
``(C) develop and disseminate guidelines for the
construction of windstorm shelters.
Nothing in this Act shall be construed to diminish the role
and responsibility of the Federal Emergency Management Agency
with regard to all hazards preparedness, response, recovery,
and mitigation.
``(4) National oceanic and atmospheric administration.--The
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall support
atmospheric sciences research and data collection to improve
the understanding of the behavior of windstorms and their
impact on buildings, structures, and lifelines, including
by--
``(A) working with other appropriate Federal agencies to
develop and deploy instrumentation to measure speed and other
characteristics of wind, and to collect, analyze, and make
available such data;
``(B) working with officials of State and local governments
to ensure that they are knowledgeable about, and prepared
for, the specific windstorm risks in their area;
``(C) supporting the development of suitable wind speed
maps and other derivative products that support building
codes and other hazard mitigation approaches for buildings,
structures, and lifelines, and, to the extent possible,
ensure that such maps and other derivative products are
developed consistent with the multihazard advisory maps
authorized by section 203(k) of the Robert T. Stafford
Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C.
5133(k));
``(D) conducting a competitive, peer-reviewed process which
awards grants and cooperative agreements to complement the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's wind-
related and storm surge-related research and data collection
activities;
``(E) working with other appropriate Federal agencies and
State and local governments to develop or improve risk-
assessment tools, methods, and models; and
``(F) working with other appropriate Federal agencies to
develop storm surge models to better understand the
interaction between windstorms and bodies of water.
``(5) National science foundation.--The National Science
Foundation shall be responsible for funding basic research
that furthers the understanding of windstorms, wind
engineering, and community preparation and response to
windstorms. In carrying out this paragraph, the Director of
the National Science Foundation shall--
``(A) support multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary
research that will improve the resiliency of communities to
windstorms, including--
``(i) research that improves the safety and performance of
buildings, structures, and lifelines;
``(ii) research to support more effective windstorm
mitigation and response measures, such as developing better
knowledge of the specific types of vulnerabilities faced by
segments of the community vulnerable to windstorms,
addressing the barriers they face in adopting mitigation and
preparation measures, and developing methods to better
communicate the risks of windstorms and to promote
mitigation; and
``(iii) research on the response of communities to
windstorms, including on the effectiveness of the emergency
response, and the recovery process of communities,
households, and businesses;
``(B) support research to understand windstorm processes,
windstorm patterns, and windstorm frequencies;
``(C) encourage prompt dissemination of significant
findings, sharing of data, samples, physical collections, and
other supporting materials, and development of intellectual
property so research results can be used by appropriate
organizations to mitigate windstorm damage;
``(D) work with other Program agencies to maintain
awareness of, and where appropriate cooperate with, windstorm
risk reduction research efforts in other countries, to ensure
that the Program benefits from relevant information and
advances in those countries; and
``(E) include to the maximum extent practicable diverse
institutions, including Historically Black Colleges and
Universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribal Colleges
and Universities, Alaska Native-serving institutions, and
Native Hawaiian-serving institutions.''.
SEC. 205. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
Section 207 of the National Windstorm Impact Reduction
Program of 2004 (42 U.S.C. 15706) is amended to read as
follows:
``SEC. 207. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
``(a) Federal Emergency Management Agency.--There are
authorized to be appropriated to the Federal Emergency
Management Agency for carrying out this title--
``(1) $9,682,000 for fiscal year 2010;
``(2) $9,972,500 for fiscal year 2011;
``(3) $10,271,600 for fiscal year 2012;
``(4) $10,579,800 for fiscal year 2013; and
``(5) $10,897,200 for fiscal year 2014.
``(b) National Science Foundation.--There are authorized to
be appropriated to the National Science Foundation for
carrying out this title--
``(1) $9,682,000 for fiscal year 2010;
``(2) $9,972,500 for fiscal year 2011;
``(3) $10,271,600 for fiscal year 2012;
``(4) $10,579,800 for fiscal year 2013; and
``(5) $10,897,200 for fiscal year 2014.
``(c) National Institute of Standards and Technology.--
There are authorized to be appropriated to the National
Institute of Standards and Technology for carrying out this
title--
``(1) $4,120,000 for fiscal year 2010;
``(2) $4,243,600 for fiscal year 2011;
``(3) $4,370,900 for fiscal year 2012;
``(4) $4,502,000 for fiscal year 2013; and
``(5) $4,637,100 for fiscal year 2014.
``(d) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.--
There are authorized to be appropriated to the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for carrying out this
title--
``(1) $2,266,000 for fiscal year 2010;
``(2) $2,334,000 for fiscal year 2011;
``(3) $2,404,000 for fiscal year 2012;
``(4) $2,476,100 for fiscal year 2013; and
``(5) $2,550,400 for fiscal year 2014.''.
TITLE III--INTERAGENCY COORDINATING COMMITTEE ON NATURAL HAZARDS RISK
REDUCTION
SEC. 301. INTERAGENCY COORDINATING COMMITTEE ON NATURAL
HAZARDS RISK REDUCTION.
(a) In General.--There is established an Interagency
Coordinating Committee on Natural Hazards Risk Reduction,
chaired by the Director of the National Institute of
Standards and Technology.
(1) Membership.--In addition to the chair, the Committee
shall be composed of--
(A) the directors of--
(i) the Federal Emergency Management Agency;
(ii) the United State Geological Survey;
(iii) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration;
(iv) the National Science Foundation;
(v) the Office of Science and Technology Policy; and
(vi) the Office of Management and Budget; and
(B) the head of any other Federal agency the Committee
considers appropriate.
(2) Meetings.--The Committee shall not meet less than 2
times a year at the call of the Director of the National
Institute of Standards and Technology.
(3) General purpose and duties.--The Committee shall
oversee the planning and coordination of the National
Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program and the National
Windstorm Impact Reduction Program, and shall make proposals
for planning and coordination of any other Federal research
for natural hazard mitigation that the Committee considers
appropriate.
(4) Strategic plans.--The Committee shall develop and
submit to Congress, not later than one year after the date of
enactment of this Act--
(A) a Strategic Plan for the National Earthquake Hazards
Reduction Program that includes--
(i) prioritized goals for such Program that will mitigate
against the loss of life and property from future
earthquakes;
(ii) short-term, mid-term, and long-term research
objectives to achieve those goals;
(iii) a description of the role of each Program agency in
achieving the prioritized goals;
(iv) the methods by which progress towards the goals will
be assessed;
(v) an explanation of how the Program will foster the
transfer of research results onto outcomes, such as improved
building codes;
(vi) a description of the role of social science in
informing the development of the prioritized goals and
research objectives; and
(vii) a description of how the George E. Brown, Jr. Network
for Earthquake Engineering Simulation and the Advanced
National Seismic Research and Monitoring System will be used
in achieving the prioritized goals and research objectives;
and
(B) a Strategic Plan for the National Windstorm Impact
Reduction Program that includes--
(i) prioritized goals for such Program that will mitigate
against the loss of life and property from future windstorms;
(ii) short-term, mid-term, and long-term research
objectives to achieve those goals;
(iii) a description of the role of each Program agency in
achieving the prioritized goals;
(iv) the methods by which progress towards the goals will
be assessed;
(v) an explanation of how the Program will foster the
transfer of research results onto outcomes, such as improved
building codes; and
(vi) a description of the role of social science in
informing the development of the prioritized goals and
research objectives.
(5) Progress reports.--Not later than one year after the
date of enactment of this Act, and at least once every two
years thereafter, the Committee shall submit to the
Congress--
(A) a report on the progress of the National Earthquake
Hazards Reduction Program that includes--
(i) a description of the activities funded for the previous
two years of the Program, a description of how these
activities align with the prioritized goals and research
objectives established in the Strategic Plan, and the
budgets, per agency, for these activities;
(ii) the outcomes achieved by the Program for each of the
goals identified in the Strategic Plan;
[[Page H980]]
(iii) a description of any recommendations made to change
existing building codes that were the result of Program
activities; and
(iv) a description of the extent to which the Program has
incorporated recommendations from the Advisory Committee on
Earthquake Hazards Reduction; and
(B) a report on the progress of the National Windstorm
Impact Reduction Program that includes--
(i) a description of the activities funded for the previous
two years of the Program, a description of how these
activities align with the prioritized goals and research
objectives established in the Strategic Plan, and the
budgets, per agency, for these activities;
(ii) the outcomes achieved by the Program for each of the
goals identified in the Strategic Plan;
(iii) a description of any recommendations made to change
existing building codes that were the result of Program
activities; and
(iv) a description of the extent to which the Program has
incorporated recommendations from the Advisory Committee on
Windstorm Impact Reduction.
(6) Coordinated budget.--The Committee shall develop a
coordinated budget for the National Earthquake Hazards
Reduction Program and a coordinated budget for the National
Windstorm Impact Reduction Program. These budgets shall be
submitted to the Congress at the time of the President's
budget submission for each fiscal year.
(b) Advisory Committees on Natural Hazards Reduction.--
(1) In general.--The Director of the National Institute of
Standards and Technology shall establish an Advisory
Committee on Earthquake Hazards Reduction, an Advisory
Committee on Windstorm Impact Reduction, and other such
advisory committees as the Director considers necessary to
advise the Institute on research, development, and technology
transfer activities to mitigate the impact of natural
disasters.
(2) Advisory committee on earthquake hazards reduction.--
The Advisory Committee on Earthquake Hazards Reduction shall
be composed of at least 11 members, none of whom may be
employees of the Federal Government, including
representatives of research and academic institutions,
industry standards development organizations, emergency
management agencies, State and local government, and business
communities who are qualified to provide advice on earthquake
hazards reduction and represent all related scientific,
architectural, and engineering disciplines. The
recommendations of the Advisory Committee shall be considered
by Federal agencies in implementing the National Earthquake
Hazards Reduction Program.
(3) Advisory committee on windstorm impact reduction.--The
Advisory Committee on Windstorm Impact Reduction shall be
composed of at least 7 members, none of whom may be employees
of the Federal Government, including representatives of
research and academic institutions, industry standards
development organizations, emergency management agencies,
State and local government, and business communities who are
qualified to provide advice on windstorm impact reduction and
represent all related scientific, architectural, and
engineering disciplines. The recommendations of the Advisory
Committee shall be considered by Federal agencies in
implementing the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program.
(4) Assessments.--The Advisory Committee on Earthquake
Hazards Reduction and the Advisory Committee on Windstorm
Impact Reduction shall offer assessments on--
(A) trends and developments in the natural, social, and
engineering sciences and practices of earthquake hazards or
windstorm impact mitigation;
(B) the priorities of the Programs' Strategic Plans;
(C) the coordination of the Programs; and
(D) and any revisions to the Programs which may be
necessary.
(5) Reports.--At least every two years, the Advisory
Committees shall report to the Director of the National
Institute of Standards and Technology on the assessments
carried out under paragraph (4) and their recommendations for
ways to improve the Programs. In developing recommendations
for the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program, the
Advisory Committee on Earthquake Hazards Reduction shall
consider the recommendations of the United States Geological
Survey Scientific Earthquake Studies Advisory Committee.
(c) Coordination of Federal Disaster Research, Development,
and Technology Transfer.--Not later than 2 years after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Subcommittee on Disaster
Reduction of the Committee on Environment and Natural
Resources of the National Science and Technology Council
shall submit a report to the Congress identifying--
(1) current Federal research, development, and technology
transfer activities that address hazard mitigation for
natural disasters, including earthquakes, hurricanes,
tornados, wildfires, floods, and the current budgets for
these activities;
(2) areas of research that are common to two or more of the
hazards identified in paragraph (1); and
(3) opportunities to create synergies between the research
activities for the hazards identified in paragraph (1).
TITLE IV--NATIONAL CONSTRUCTION SAFETY TEAM ACT AMENDMENTS
SEC. 401. NATIONAL CONSTRUCTION SAFETY TEAM ACT AMENDMENTS.
The National Construction Safety Team Act (15 U.S.C. 7301
et seq.) is amended--
(1) in section 2(a)--
(A) by striking ``a building or buildings'' and inserting
``a building, buildings, or infrastructure''; and
(B) by striking ``To the maximum extent practicable, the
Director shall establish and deploy a Team within 48 hours
after such an event.'' and inserting ``The Director shall
make a decision whether to deploy a Team within 72 hours
after such an event.'';
(2) in section 2(b)(1), by striking ``buildings'' and
inserting ``buildings or infrastructure'';
(3) in section 2(b)(2)(A), by striking ``building'' and
inserting ``building or infrastructure'';
(4) in section 2(b)(2)(D), by striking ``buildings'' and
inserting ``buildings or infrastructure'';
(5) in section 2(c)(1), by striking ``the United States
Fire Administration and'';
(6) in section 2(c)(1)(G), by striking ``building'' and
inserting ``building or infrastructure'';
(7) in section 2(c)(1)(J)--
(A) by striking ``building'' and inserting ``building or
infrastructure''; and
(B) by inserting ``and the National Windstorm Impact
Reduction Act of 2004'' after ``Act of 1977'';
(8) in section 4(a), by striking ``investigating a
building'' and inserting ``investigating building and
infrastructure'';
(9) in section 4(a)(1)--
(A) by striking ``a building'' and inserting ``a building
or infrastructure''; and
(B) by striking ``building'' both of the other places it
appears and inserting ``building or infrastructure'';
(10) in section 4(a)(3), by striking ``building'' both
places it appears and inserting ``building or
infrastructure'';
(11) in section 4(b), by striking ``building'' both places
it appears and inserting ``building or infrastructure'';
(12) in section 4(c)(1) and (2), by striking ``building''
both places it appears and inserting ``building or
infrastructure'';
(13) by amending section 4(d)(1) to read as follows:
``(1) In general.--Except as otherwise provided in this
subsection, a Team investigation shall have priority over any
other investigation which is related to the purpose and
duties set forth in section 2(b) and undertaken by any other
Federal agency.'';
(14) in section 4(d)(3) and (4), by striking ``building''
both places it appears and inserting ``building or
infrastructure'';
(15) in section 4, by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
``(5) Infrastructure investigations.--With respect to an
investigation relating to an infrastructure failure, a
Federal agency with primary jurisdiction over the failed
infrastructure which is conducting an investigation and
asserts priority over the Team investigation shall have such
priority. Such priority shall not otherwise affect the
authority of the Team to continue its investigation under
this Act.'';
(16) in section 7(a), by striking ``on request and at
reasonable cost'';
(17) in section 7(c), by striking ``building'' and
inserting ``building or infrastructure'';
(18) in section 8(1) and (4), by striking ``building'' both
places it appears and inserting ``building or
infrastructure'';
(19) in section 9, by striking ``the United States Fire
Administration and'';
(20) in section 9(2)(C), by striking ``building'' and
inserting ``building or infrastructure'';
(21) in section 10(3), by striking ``building'' and
inserting ``building and infrastructure'';
(22) in section 11(a), by striking ``the United States Fire
Administration and''; and
(23) by striking section 12.
TITLE V--FIRE RESEARCH PROGRAM
SEC. 501. FIRE RESEARCH PROGRAM.
Section 16(a)(1) of the National Institute of Standards and
Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278f(a)(1)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (D), by inserting ``fires at the
wildland-urban interface,'' after ``but not limited to,'';
and
(2) in subparagraph (E), by inserting ``fires at the
wildland-urban interface,'' after ``types of fires,
including''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Oregon (Mr. Wu) and the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Broun) each will
control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Oregon.
General Leave
Mr. WU. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have
5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include
extraneous material on H.R. 3820, the bill under consideration.
{time} 1415
Mr. WU. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3820, the
Natural Hazards Risk Reduction Act of 2010. This bipartisan bill
addresses a crucial need--securing our communities against earthquakes,
hurricanes, tornadoes, and other natural phenomena.
[[Page H981]]
As we saw last month in Haiti and just this past weekend in Chile,
earthquakes can strike without warning, can cause massive damage and
many, many casualties. Mitigation efforts, like advanced building
codes, are crucial to preventing loss and injury. Preparation saves
lives. The Chilean experience demonstrates the importance of
preparation, of building codes, and of education.
H.R. 3820 reauthorizes two very important natural hazard mitigation
programs--the Natural Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program and the
National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program.
Since Congress created the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction
Program, or NEHRP, in 1977, it has been used to study earthquake
phenomena, to identify seismic hazards, and to develop building codes
and practices to withstand earthquakes. This reauthorization will allow
the U.S. Geological Survey, FEMA, the National Science Foundation, and
the National Institute of Standards and Technology to continue their
efforts to develop and to promote earthquake mitigation measures.
Created in 2004, the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program, or
NWIRP, is also a critical tool in countering the destructive forces of
hurricanes, tornadoes, and other severe windstorms. Destructive
windstorms are not limited to Florida, to the Gulf Coast, or to Tornado
Alley in our Midwest. Two years ago, in my Pacific Northwest, we
experienced 150-mile-per-hour winds, a storm which killed 18 people and
which caused nearly $200 million in damage. Just last week, gusts of up
to 90 miles per hour were reported in the Northeast, knocking out power
for more than 87,000 New Yorkers and others in Pennsylvania through the
Mid-Atlantic. The purpose of NWIRP is to study wind hazards and to
develop building codes and practices to prevent damage.
The adoption of mitigation measures is the crucial last step in
preventing losses from natural disasters. H.R. 3820 includes provisions
to develop ways to cost effectively retrofit existing structures and to
secure lifelines as well as provisions for research to identify the
best methods to encourage homeowners, businesses, and communities to
plan for natural disasters and to adopt mitigation and education
measures.
H.R. 3820 also brings greater coordination to Federal natural hazards
R&D efforts. It directs the relevant agencies to develop a multihazards
research agenda and to identify where common research approaches are
appropriate across different types of hazards. This will enable a
research agenda where the lessons learned in one disaster will be
applied to help prevent damage in another and, therefore, save lives.
It will use scarce taxpayer dollars more effectively and more
efficiently.
I would like to thank the ranking member of the Technology and
Innovation Subcommittee, Mr. Smith of Nebraska, for his hard work and
support in helping us bring this bill to the floor.
I would also like to recognize my friend and colleague, Mr. Broun of
Georgia, who is here on the floor with us today.
I would similarly like to thank the chairman of the full Science and
Technology Committee, Mr. Bart Gordon of Tennessee, and the ranking
member, Mr. Hall of Texas, the unforgettable Mr. Hall.
H.R. 3820 is supported by the American Society of Civil Engineers. I
urge my colleagues to vote for its passage.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BROUN of Georgia. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3820, the National Hazards
Risk Reduction Act of 2010.
Whether they come in the form of hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes,
tsunamis, or other phenomena, natural hazards are infrequent and
inevitable, and as illustrated by recent events in Haiti and in Chile,
can be devastating to life and property.
The infrequency of such events is, of course, no excuse for
complacency in taking steps to address them. The programs authorized in
this legislation are the Federal Government's primary means of
advancing science and technology to mitigate the risks of natural
hazards. This legislation authorizes two programs--the National
Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program, or NEHRP, and the National
Windstorm Impact Reduction Program, NWIRP.
NEHRP was established in 1977 in response to growing concerns about
the threat of damaging earthquakes. It is an agency effort consisting
of four participating agencies: firstly, the National Institute of
Standards and Technology, NIST, supporting problem-focused earthquake
engineering research and development programs aimed at improving
building design codes and construction standards; secondly, the
National Science Foundation, NSF, supporting basic research in
geoscience, engineering, economic, and social aspects of earthquakes;
thirdly, the U.S. Geological Survey, USGS, conducting basic and applied
Earth science and seismology research; fourthly, FEMA, which supports
mitigation, response, education, outreach, and implementation of
research results.
Similarly, the Windstorm Impact Reduction Program, created in 2004
and modeled after NEHRP, consists of four agencies--NIST, NSF and FEMA,
as well as NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association,
which funds research in the atmospheric sciences--to better understand,
predict, and respond to hurricanes, tornadoes, and other windstorms.
The goals and activities of these two programs are clear. From
engineering research to improve the structural resiliency of buildings,
to the development of model building codes and standards, to recovery
and response operations, the opportunities for leveraging earthquake
mitigation and windstorm mitigation activities are numerous and
substantial. Accordingly, the primary objective of this legislation is
to establish an overarching coordination structure to improve
communication, to exploit potential synergies, and to ensure that new
knowledge developed from both programs can be translated into practice
and, eventually, into decreased vulnerabilities.
Much progress has been made with the overall authorization levels in
this bill, which have been reduced from prior authorization levels. In
particular, at three of the four NEHRP agencies, authorized levels have
been reduced to more realistic levels that still achieve its goals--a
responsible approach given our ominous overall fiscal situation. At the
fourth NEHRP agency, USGS, the authorization level has been modestly
increased. This reflects a position by the lead authors of the bill
that earthquake research should be a priority at USGS.
These two programs, if directed to the right priorities and
implemented as a true, coordinated interagency effort, can become more
effective and can be leveraged many times over.
I appreciate the hard work from my fellow members of the committee
and staff to balance the need for minimizing the risk of these natural
disasters with the fiscal reality of large deficits and debt.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. WU. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the chairman of the
Research and Science Education Subcommittee of the Science Committee,
the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Lipinski).
Mr. LIPINSKI. I thank the chairman for yielding.
Madam Speaker, I have a background as an engineer. I actually have a
master's degree in systems engineering. I understand the need for
understanding how systems work and for understanding what can be done
in preparation so that, in the case of Mr. Wu's bill, we can do the
best that we can to mitigate, to avoid the problems, and to deal with
what happens in the aftermath of earthquakes and windstorms.
I thank Mr. Wu for this bill, and I thank Chairman Gordon also for
moving this bill forward and for bringing it to the House floor. I
thank the Republicans for their work, and I thank Mr. Broun here today.
I think this is something that we often forget about until after a
disaster strikes. With the earthquake in Chile, we've heard so much
talk about the planning beforehand, about the requirements that
buildings have to be designed in a certain way to withstand
earthquakes, and about the lives that were saved. Probably tens of
thousands of lives were saved from this. This was all through a type of
planning that can come through this bill.
[[Page H982]]
I think it is also important--and I see this so often, not just in
the NSF, NIST, USGS, or NOAA. We see all these silos--all these
departments, agencies--which are doing separate work, and they don't
oftentimes enough coordinate the work that they are doing. So I think
this bill does a very good job of making sure that we have the
coordination when it comes to planning for earthquakes and for looking
into what we can do about that for windstorms.
So I thank Mr. Wu for introducing this bill, and I urge my colleagues
to support it.
Mr. BROUN of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I appreciate the hard work that
my good friend from Oregon (Mr. Wu) and my friend from Nebraska (Mr.
Smith) have put into this bill. Certainly, as a fiscal conservative, I
am concerned about how the agencies within the Federal Government
coordinate their activities and coordinate their communications. I
congratulate Mr. Wu on trying to bring overarching communications
between these four governmental agencies.
Just today on Fox and Friends news, they had a seismologist who was
predicting just in the very near future a major earthquake which would
affect Mr. Wu's home State of Oregon, the State of Washington, as well
as the State of California. We've seen a tremendous number of
earthquakes recently, and, I think, having the Federal Government
agencies coordinate their efforts to try to find some way to
communicate between those is absolutely a much needed process. I
congratulate Mr. Wu on his efforts to do that.
So, having said all of that, Madam Speaker, I am prepared to close,
but I do just want to congratulate Mr. Wu again on his hard work on
this bill.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. WU. I want to thank the gentleman from Georgia for his very kind
remarks.
Madam Speaker, we do not and we actually should not agree all the
time, because these are sincere differences which, I think, we reflect
in our personal values and in the values of our constituents; but the
legislation that we are dealing with today demonstrates this Congress'
working at its best on those issues where we should be coming together,
and we do.
I want to thank the gentleman. I want to thank Mr. Smith and Mr. Hall
on the minority side.
Mr. BROUN of Georgia. Would the gentleman yield?
Mr. WU. I would be happy to yield to the gentleman.
Mr. BROUN of Georgia. I agree wholeheartedly.
I wish we could get together on health reform and could get together
and do something that's right for the American people. I wish we could
get together on an economic stimulus package. Folks on our side would
very much like to do so. It is unfortunate that we have such a
philosophical divide on many issues.
Mr. Wu, I have enjoyed working with you on the Science and Technology
Committee. I love your State. I did my internship in Portland, Oregon,
and I know that's where you live, in that area. I wish we could get
together on many issues. I congratulate you on your leadership and for
bringing together a bipartisan bill so that people do get together at
least on this issue.
I commit to you, as well as to my Democratic colleagues, to work to
try to find some commonsense solutions, market-based solutions, to
health reform and to getting our economy back on course and other
things. I hope that we can work together on these.
{time} 1430
Mr. WU. I thank the gentleman for his kind remarks. Sometimes the
largest things start in small ways, and the longest journey starts with
a small step, and perhaps we are taking that step today, Mr. Broun.
Storms teach us all sorts of things, and personal effort and caring
matter a lot. The snowstorms that paralyzed this city a couple of weeks
ago in some respects are a metaphor for what has been going on with the
political and policy mechanisms that also occupy this city.
I believe that in my home State, within a few hours of the storm
being over, we would be out there starting to clean up, and we would be
doing a reasonable job fairly soon. What happened here was paralysis
for days at a time, schools closing for the rest of the week, and
people complaining about the city not cleaning the streets.
But what I noticed was that in my neighborhood, folks did shovel
their sidewalks, and it makes a big difference. Just take care of your
own sidewalk, and maybe help your neighbor, if your neighbor is old or
just not able to do these things for him or herself. In the second
storm, I actually offered to pay my son a little bit of money to shovel
the whole block. Shoveling the block was the second most important
thing to do. I think the most important thing to do was to teach him
civic virtue and what serving the broader good is all about.
This bill does serve the broader national good. The example of Chile
demonstrates the importance of preparation. It demonstrates the
importance of American technology, because the Chileans borrowed their
designs from the United States. It also helps us understand where we
need to get better, because their highways had a lot of collapses, just
as our highways during the quake in Los Angeles unfortunately
collapsed, and perhaps we can improve our designs for that.
Education is also a very, very important component of earthquake
safety. In my State, it is estimated that we could have a 9.5 Richter
scale quake, just like the world's largest quake ever recorded. That
one was down in Peru and Chile, and it was 9.5 on the Richter scale.
The scientists tell us that is what can happen in the Pacific
Northwest, and it actually has happened in the past.
Since the last ice age, these quakes have occurred every 200 to 1,000
years, and the average period was 300 years. We didn't know that this
was going to go on. When I moved to Oregon, we didn't know anything
about problems like this. But this is the problem of science.
Through research on tree roots which were buried in mud and research
on Japanese records, we found out that the last such earthquake
occurred in January of 1701, 309 years ago. So if the average period is
300 years, we are in that zone, and we ought to be prepared.
Education is key. Preparation is key. And it is not just the
buildings, it is not just design, but it is also about educating people
about what to do before the quake, what to do during the quake, what to
do after the quake, and how do you prepare for a tsunami, how do you
get out of the way.
It takes courage, and it takes overcoming fear, and there are
different kinds of courage, and there are different kinds of fear. I
know that some folks are concerned about what happens when we move to
an all-hazards approach to these natural phenomena, and I can tell you
that this Congress, this committee, Mr. Broun and I, will stand united
in providing the resources so that we can appropriately reduce risk
across different phenomena, whether the risk is created by wind, by
water, by earthquake, or by tsunami. That is the obligation of
leadership, and we will provide the leadership to do that, because at
the end of the day, the earthquakes, the wind and other hazards, they
know no bounds, they know no geographic bounds, and they know no bounds
with respect to age or income or any other hazard.
Madam Speaker, I ask all Members to vote in favor of this
legislation.
Mr. OBERSTAR. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3820,
the ``Natural Hazards Risk Reduction Act of 2010''. This bill
reauthorizes natural hazard risk reduction programs, in particular the
National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program and the National
Windstorm Impact Reduction Program.
Members of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and I
have been strong advocates for the reduction of the risks our Nation
faces from natural hazards. I commend the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr.
Gordon), Chairman of the Committee on Science and Technology, and the
gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Wu), for bringing this bill before the House
today and for the cooperative spirit in which they have worked with our
committee on this legislation.
The ``Natural Hazards Risk Reduction Act of 2010'', and the programs
it authorizes, will assist communities and citizens across the country
in reducing their risk from several natural hazards, that,
unfortunately, occur all too often in our Nation. Specifically, this
legislation addresses the risks from three hazards: earthquakes,
windstorms, and fires.
We have all recently seen the destruction that earthquakes can cause.
On January 12,
[[Page H983]]
2010, a catastrophic earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale
struck the island nation of Haiti. This earthquake was the largest
earthquake to hit Haiti in over 200 years. An estimated 230,000 people
lost their lives in this disaster, which affected over three million
people.
I have a deep, personal connection to the people of Haiti: before I
went to work for people of Minnesota, I lived in Haiti for almost 3
years. Since that time, I have followed events in that nation and have
maintained many good friendships with Haitian citizens. In fact, I was
in Haiti shortly before the earthquake hit, in October 2009. When I
accompanied Speaker Pelosi on a bipartisan, bicameral trip to Haiti
last month, I was struck by visions of places I saw just three months
prior that were unrecognizable as they lie in complete and utter ruin.
These haunting images clearly demonstrate the power of an earthquake,
and the importance of ensuring we do everything we can to protect our
citizens from such devastation.
This past weekend, another devastating earthquake struck Chile. This
earthquake is believed to be hundreds of times more powerful than the
earthquake that struck Haiti, yet early reports seem to indicate that
the loss of life and destruction--while no less tragic--was less severe
than in Haiti. There are likely a number of reasons for the reduced
damage, including where the earthquake struck. However, it must also be
recognized that Chile is a nation that is at great risk of seismic
activity and has taken significant steps to reduce the risk that
earthquakes pose to that nation and its citizens.
H.R. 3820 also addresses risks due to windstorms and wildfires. In my
district in Minnesota, we have been unfortunate to bear witness to the
devastating effects of both of these hazards, and how they can be
related. On July 4, 1999, a straight line windstorm, also known as a
derecho, struck the Boundary Waters Canoe Wilderness Area and downed
millions of trees. Not only did this devastate the wilderness area and
its surroundings, it also created a huge fire hazard from the fallen
timber.
The citizens of Minnesota made every effort to reduce the risk of the
fire. Residents in the affected areas utilized Federal Emergency
Management Agency, FEMA, mitigation funds to install outdoor sprinkler
systems to protect against wildfire. Unfortunately, although not
unpredictably, in 2007, the Ham Lake Fire struck the area. The
structures that had installed and maintained sprinkler systems were
protected from the fire. This is another good example of how important
it is to reduce the risk of natural hazards.
H.R. 3820 contains several amendments at the request of the Committee
on Transportation and Infrastructure that will help ensure the
earthquake, windstorm, and wildfire risk reduction programs authorized
in this bill are consistent with FEMA's all-hazards approach. While the
Federal Government currently administers risk reduction programs for
earthquakes, floods, and windstorms as free-standing programs, it is
important that such programs do not operate completely independently or
in a ``stove piped'' manner. In the past, I have strongly opposed
efforts by the Department of Homeland Security to channel Federal
resources and focus away from all-hazards preparedness and response
programs into terrorism programs, because this approach would segment
by particular risk.
Specifically, H.R. 3820, as amended, will require that the National
Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program and the National Windstorm Impact
Reduction Program to be operated in coordination with the all-hazards
mitigation and preparedness programs administered by FEMA and
authorized by the Stafford Act. In this manner, States, communities,
and citizens can utilize these programs in a coordinated manner. FEMA
is already taking steps to coordinate among the agency's mitigation
programs, by making the administrative requirements of its all-hazards
and flood programs as consistent as possible. We anticipate FEMA will
apply this sound approach to the programs authorized under this bill as
well.
In addition, this legislation calls for the mapping of windstorm and
earthquake risks. H.R. 3820, as amended, will require that, to the
extent possible, these maps be developed consistent with the multi-
hazard advisory maps authorized by the Stafford Act. It is not
efficient or effective for communities to use separate maps identifying
risk from each particular natural hazard the community may face. As
hazard maps are now digitized, data for each type of risk can be easily
superimposed on the same map, which will allow communities to use one
common map in planning and identifying risks.
Finally, H.R. 3820 contains amendments to the National Construction
Safety Teams Act and expands authority of the National Institute of
Standards and Technology, NIST, to deploy teams to investigate
infrastructure failure. NIST's current authority is limited to building
collapse investigations. I am pleased that this bill, as amended,
clarifies that the authority to deploy teams for infrastructure failure
is limited to NIST's existing authority and expertise to investigate
the structural causes of collapse, as well as building codes, and does
not give NIST authority beyond that arena, such as a related
transportation accident and incident investigation if there is also an
infrastructure failure component. The amendment also ensures that if
another Federal agency with jurisdiction over the infrastructure
investigates the failure, such agency investigation will have priority
over the NIST investigation. I look forward to continued work with the
Committee on Science and Technology on this provision as we move ahead
with this legislation.
I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 3820, the
``Natural Hazards Risk Reduction Act of 2010.''
Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R.
3820, the Natural Hazards Risk Reduction Act of 2009. As a
representative of a state that faces perhaps more natural hazard risk
than any other--including not just from earthquakes, but also
wildfires, windstorms, landslides, and tsunamis--I cannot overstate the
importance of the programs authorized in this legislation, which are
essential for protecting the lives and property of tens of millions of
Californians.
Two tragedies over the past two months have shown us the dramatic
difference that comes from being properly prepared for a natural
disaster. The magnitude 7.0 earthquake in Haiti on January 12th struck
a country that was woefully unprepared for such an event. Unreinforced
buildings collapsed like houses of cards, and an almost unfathomable
200,000 people were killed. This past Sunday, a far-stronger magnitude
8.8 earthquake hit Chile, and while this tragedy claimed the lives of
over 700, the death toll was much lower than Haiti's because people
were protected by buildings constructed to withstand that sort of
shaking.
The United States has not suffered these sorts of staggering
casualties from a seismic event in over a hundred years, in large part
due to the work of the U.S. Geological Survey's Earthquake Hazard
Program. We cannot predict when the next major earthquake will strike
the United States. But we know where it is most likely. And we have
been able to enact building codes in those areas to protect people in
their homes and offices. We have conducted preparedness drills so
people know what to do when the Big One hits. We have been able to
engineer pipelines, power lines, and roads to survive a major quake, so
we can rebuild and recover as quickly as possible. The U.S. Geological
Survey has helped make this all possible.
This legislation reauthorizes the National Earthquake Hazard
Reduction Program, of which the U.S. Geological Survey's Earthquake
Hazard Program is a part. When this legislation was first reported out
of the Science and Technology Committee, I was concerned about the cut
in authorization levels to the U.S. Geological Survey, which I believed
reflected the wrong message about the importance of this critical
program. I am pleased to say that after a hearing in my subcommittee on
January 20th, my good friends Bart Gordon, Chairman of the Science and
Technology Committee, and David Wu, chief sponsor of this legislation,
worked with me to increase the authorization levels and put the
Earthquake Hazard Program on the path for continued growth. I would
also like to thank the ranking member of my subcommittee, Doug Lamborn
of Colorado, for working with me in this endeavor, as well as all the
scientists and engineers who wrote to me expressing their support for
this program.
Madam Speaker, in closing, I urge my colleagues to support this bill,
but more importantly, I urge us all to help the people of Haiti and
Chile in any way we can as they attempt to clean up and rebuild. The
hopes and prayers of everyone in this Chamber are with them.
Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I would like to thank
Subcommittee Chairman David Wu, Subcommittee Ranking Member Adrian
Smith, and Ranking Member Ralph Hall for their hard work on this very
important legislation that will do so much to help protect our
communities from natural disasters. I also want to recognize the work
of the Natural Resources Committee as well as the Transportation and
Infrastructure Committee in arriving at the text we are considering
today. Both Chairman Rahall and Chairman Oberstar have been enormously
helpful in getting this bill to the floor today. In addition, I want to
recognize Jim Costa, who chairs the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral
Resources at the Natural Resources Committee, and who has been a leader
in working to protect our communities from earthquakes. At this time I
would like to insert an exchange of letters between Chairman Rahall and
myself into the Record, and once again thank both Chairmen for their
support.
[[Page H984]]
House of Representatives,
Committee on Natural Resources,
Washington, DC, February 24, 2010.
Hon. Bart Gordon,
Chairman, Committee on Science and Technology, Washington,
DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for the opportunity to work
with you on H.R. 3820, the Natural Hazards Risk Reduction Act
of 2009, which was referred to the Committee on Science and
Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Natural
Resources.
Because of the continued cooperation and consideration that
you have afforded me and my staff in developing these
provisions, and knowing of your interest in expediting this
legislation, I am willing to waive further consideration of
H.R. 3820 by the Committee on Natural Resources at this time.
Of course, this waiver is not intended to prejudice any
future jurisdictional claims over the provisions of this
legislation or similar language. I also reserve the right to
seek to have conferees named from the Committee on Natural
Resources on these provisions, and request your support if
such a request is made.
Please place this letter into the committee report on H.R.
3820 and into the Congressional Record during consideration
of the measure on the House floor.
With warm regards, I am
Sincerely,
Nick J. Rahall II,
Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources.
____
Committee on Science
and Technology,
Washington, DC, February 24, 2010.
Hon. Nick J. Rahall II
Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Rahall: Thank you for your letter regarding
H.R. 3820, the Natural Hazards Risk Reduction Act of 2009.
Your support for this legislation and your assistance in
ensuring its timely consideration are greatly appreciated.
I agree that provisions in the bill are of jurisdictional
interest to the Committee on Natural Resources. I acknowledge
that by discharging the Committee on Natural Resources from
further consideration of H.R. 3820, your Committee is not
relinquishing its jurisdiction and I will fully support your
request to be represented in a House-Senate conference on
those provisions over which the Committee on Natural
Resources has jurisdiction. A copy of our letters will be
placed in the Committee Report on H.R. 3820 and in the
Congressional Record during consideration of the bill on the
House floor.
I value your cooperation and look forward to working with
you as we move ahead with this important legislation.
Sincerely,
Bart Gordon,
Chairman.
Mr. WU. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Wu) that the House suspend the rules and
pass the bill, H.R. 3820, as amended
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. BROUN of Georgia. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and
nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
____________________