[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 150 (Monday, September 18, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1237]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            INTRODUCTION OF THE SAFE COMMUNITIES ACT OF 2017

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                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 18, 2017

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, more than 10 years ago, following 
Hurricane Katrina, then-Rep. Curt Weldon and I introduced the 
bipartisan Safe Communities Act. Today, with wildfires burning in my 
state and Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Jose ravaging the Southeast, the 
ability to prepare for, withstand, and quickly recover from disasters 
is an essential component of livable communities. That's why I am 
reintroducing the Safe Communities Act, which will give state and local 
governments the tools to help them plan for and reduce the impact of 
these events.
  Federal investments in natural disasters should include prevention 
and mitigation as well as response and recovery. In fact, investment in 
prevention can save money in the long-term. Research by an independent 
group of experts in 2005 found that every dollar invested in actions to 
reduce disaster losses saves the nation about $4 in future costs. We 
all agree that by planning for the future communities can help prevent 
damage and save money, but rarely do we do it.
  The Safe Communities Act will create a new grant program to support 
state, local and regional planning activities aimed at reducing threats 
posed by natural and human-caused disasters. Grant-eligible projects 
under this program include comprehensive risk assessments and 
inventories of critical infrastructure, land-use planning for natural 
hazards and terrorism security, updates to building codes and 
development of new urban design techniques for risk-reduction. The bill 
will also create a research program to investigate the best practices 
in comprehensive land use and community planning aimed at reducing 
threats posed by natural hazards and acts of tenor.
  The number of people who live in harm's way is expanding 
dramatically, and more properties and more lives are at risk from both 
natural and human-caused disasters. The associated increases in rising 
disaster recovery costs impact us all. I look forward to working with 
my colleagues to ensure communities have the resources they need to 
help prepare for future natural disasters.

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