[House Report 109-698]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
109th Congress Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2d Session 109-698
======================================================================
UNITED STATES TSUNAMI WARNING AND EDUCATION ACT
_______
September 28, 2006.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on
the State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Boehlert, from the Committee on Science, submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H.R. 1674]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Science, to whom was referred the bill (H.R.
1674) to authorize and strengthen the tsunami detection,
forecast, warning, and mitigation program of the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, to be carried out by
the National Weather Service, and for other purposes, having
considered the same, report favorably thereon with an amendment
and recommend that the bill as amended do pass.
CONTENTS
Page
I. Amendment.......................................................2
II. Purpose of the Bill.............................................5
III. Background and Need for the Legislation.........................5
IV. Summary of Hearings.............................................7
V. Committee Actions...............................................8
VI. Summary of Major Provisions of the Bill, As Reported............9
VII. Section-By-Section Analysis (By Title and Section), As Reported10
VIII. Committee Views................................................11
IX. Cost Estimate..................................................14
X. Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate......................14
XI. Compliance with Public Law 104-4 (Unfunded Mandates)...........15
XII. Committee Oversight Findings and Recommendations...............16
XIII. Statement on General Performance Goals and Objectives..........16
XIV. Constitutional Authority Statement.............................16
XV. Federal Advisory Committee Statement...........................16
XVI. Congressional Accountability Act...............................16
XVII. Statement on Preemption of State, Local, or Tribal Law.........16
XVIII.Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, As Reported..........16
XIX. Committee Recommendations......................................16
XX. Committee Correspondence.......................................17
XXI. Correspondence Supporting H.R. 1674............................19
XXII. Proceedings of Subcommittee Markup.............................26
XXIII.Proceedings of Full Committee Markup...........................48
I. AMENDMENT
The amendment is as follows:
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the
following:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``United States Tsunami Warning and
Education Act''.
SEC. 2. PURPOSES.
The purposes of this Act are--
(1) to improve tsunami detection, forecasting, warnings,
notification, preparedness, and mitigation to protect life and
property both in the United States;
(2) to enhance and modernize the existing Pacific Tsunami
Warning System to increase coverage, reduce false alarms and
increase the accuracy of forecasts and warnings, and to expand
detection and warning systems to include other vulnerable
States and United States territories, including the Atlantic
Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico areas;
(3) to improve mapping, modeling, research, and assessment
efforts to improve tsunami forecasting, preparedness,
mitigation, response, and recovery;
(4) to improve and increase education and outreach activities
and ensure that those receiving tsunami warnings and the at-
risk public know what to do when a tsunami is approaching;
(5) to provide technical and other assistance to speed
international efforts to establish regional tsunami warning
systems in vulnerable areas worldwide, including the Indian
Ocean; and
(6) to improve Federal, State, and international coordination
for tsunami and other coastal hazard warnings and preparedness.
SEC. 3. TSUNAMI FORECASTING AND WARNING PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--The Administrator of the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration, through the National Weather Service, shall
operate a program to provide tsunami forecasting and warnings for the
Pacific Ocean region and for the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and
Gulf of Mexico region.
(b) Components.--The program under this section shall--
(1) include the tsunami warning centers established under
subsection (d);
(2) provide tsunami forecasting capability based on models
and measurements, including tsunami inundation models and maps
for use in increasing the preparedness of communities,
including through the TsunamiReady program;
(3) include a cooperative effort among the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration, the United States Geological
Survey, and the National Science Foundation under which the
Geological Survey and the National Science Foundation shall
provide rapid and reliable seismic information to the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration from international and
domestic seismic networks;
(4) provide a capability for the dissemination of warnings to
at-risk States and tsunami communities through rapid and
reliable notification to government officials and the public
through such means as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration weather radio and the All Hazard Alert
Broadcasting Radio; and
(5) include any technology the Administrator considers
appropriate to fulfill the objectives of the program under this
section.
(c) System Areas.--The program under this section shall operate--
(1) a Pacific tsunami warning system capable of forecasting
tsunamis anywhere in the Pacific Ocean region and providing
adequate warnings; and
(2) an Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico
tsunami warning system capable of forecasting tsunamis and
providing adequate warnings in areas of the Atlantic Ocean,
Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico that are determined--
(A) to be geologically active, or to have significant
potential for geological activity; and
(B) to pose significant risks of tsunamis for States
along the coastal areas of the Atlantic Ocean,
Caribbean Sea, or Gulf of Mexico.
(d) Tsunami Warning Centers.--
(1) In general.--The Administrator, through the National
Weather Service, shall maintain or establish--
(A) a Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii;
(B) a West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center in
Alaska; and
(C) any additional forecast and warning centers
determined by the National Weather Service to be
necessary.
(2) Responsibilities.--The responsibilities of each tsunami
warning center shall include--
(A) continuously monitoring data from seismological,
deep ocean, and tidal monitoring stations;
(B) evaluating earthquakes that have the potential to
generate tsunamis;
(C) evaluating deep ocean buoy data and tidal
monitoring stations for indications of tsunami
resulting from earthquakes and other sources;
(D) disseminating forecasts and tsunami warning
bulletins to Federal, State, and local government
officials and the public;
(E) coordinating with the tsunami hazard mitigation
program described in section 4 to ensure ongoing
sharing of information between forecasters and
emergency management officials; and
(F) making data gathered under this Act and post-
warning analyses conducted by the National Weather
Service available to researchers.
(e) Transfer of Technology; Maintenance and Upgrades.--
(1) In general.--In carrying out this section, the National
Weather Service shall--
(A) develop requirements for the equipment used to
forecast tsunamis, which shall include provisions for
multipurpose detection platforms, reliability and
performance metrics, and to the maximum extent
practicable how the equipment will be integrated with
other United States and global ocean and coastal
observation systems, the global earth observing system
of systems, global seismic networks, and the Advanced
National Seismic System; and
(B) develop and execute a plan for the transfer of
technology from ongoing research described in section 5
into the program under this section.
(2) Report to congress.--(A) Not later than 1 year after the
date of enactment of this Act, the National Weather Service
shall transmit to Congress a report on how the tsunami forecast
system under this section will be integrated with other United
States and global ocean and coastal observation systems, the
global earth observing system of systems, global seismic
networks, and the Advanced National Seismic System.
(B) Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment to
this Act, the National Weather Service shall transmit a report
to Congress on how technology developed under section 5 is
being transferred into the program under this section.
(f) Congressional Notifications.--The Administrator shall notify the
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House
of Representatives Committee on Science within 3 months of--
(1) impaired regional forecasting capabilities due to
equipment or system failures; and
(2) significant contractor failures or delays in completing
work associated with the tsunami forecasting and warning
system.
(g) External Review.--The Administrator of the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration shall enter into an arrangement with the
National Academy of Sciences to review the tsunami detection, forecast,
and warning program operated by the National Weather Service under this
Act to assess further modernization and coverage needs, as well as
long-term operational reliability issues, taking into account measures
implemented under this Act. The review shall also include an assessment
of how well the forecast equipment has been integrated into other
United States and global ocean and coastal observation systems and the
global earth observing system of systems. Not later than 2 years after
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit a
report containing the National Academy of Sciences' recommendations,
the Administrator's responses to the recommendations, including those
where the Administrator disagrees with the Academy, a timetable to
implement the accepted recommendations, and the cost of implementing
all the Academy's recommendations, to the Senate Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee
on Science.
SEC. 4. NATIONAL TSUNAMI HAZARD MITIGATION PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--The Administrator of the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration, through the National Weather Service, shall
conduct a community-based tsunami hazard mitigation program to improve
tsunami preparedness of at-risk areas in the United States and its
territories.
(b) Coordinating Committee.--In conducting the program under this
section, the Administrator shall establish a coordinating committee
comprising representatives of Federal, State, local, and tribal
government officials. The Administrator may establish subcommittees to
address region-specific issues. The committee shall--
(1) recommend how funds appropriated for carrying out the
program under this section will be allocated;
(2) ensure that areas described in section 3(c) in the United
States and its territories can have the opportunity to
participate in the program; and
(3) provide recommendations to the National Weather Service
on how to improve the TsunamiReady program, particularly on
ways to make communities more tsunami resilient through the use
of inundation maps and other mitigation practices.
(c) Program Components.--The program under this section shall--
(1) use inundation models that meet a standard of accuracy
defined by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
to improve the quality and extent of inundation mapping,
including assessment of vulnerable inner coastal and nearshore
areas, in a coordinated and standardized fashion to maximize
resources and the utility of data collected;
(2) promote and improve community outreach and education
networks and programs to ensure community readiness, including
the development of multi-hazard risk and vulnerability
assessment training and decision support tools, implementation
of technical training and public education programs, and
provide for certification of prepared communities;
(3) integrate tsunami preparedness and mitigation programs
into ongoing hazard warning and risk management programs in
affected areas;
(4) promote the adoption of tsunami warning and mitigation
measures by Federal, State, tribal, and local governments and
nongovernmental entities, including educational programs to
discourage development in high-risk areas; and
(5) provide for periodic external review of the program.
SEC. 5. TSUNAMI RESEARCH PROGRAM.
The Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration shall, in consultation with other agencies and academic
institutions, and with the Coordinating Committee established under
section 4(b), establish or maintain a tsunami research program to
develop detection, forecast, communication, and mitigation science and
technology, including advanced sensing techniques, information and
communication technology, data collection, analysis, and assessment for
tsunami tracking and numerical forecast modeling. Such research program
shall--
(1) consider other appropriate research to mitigate the
impact of tsunamis;
(2) coordinate with the National Weather Service on
technology to be transferred to operations;
(3) include social science research to develop and assess
community warning, education, and evacuation materials; and
(4) ensure that research and findings are available to the
scientific community.
SEC. 6. GLOBAL TSUNAMI WARNING AND MITIGATION NETWORK.
(a) International Tsunami Warning System.--The Administrator of the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, through the National
Weather Service, in coordination with other members of the United
States Interagency Committee of the National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation
Program, shall provide technical assistance and training to the
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, the World Meteorological
Organization, and other international entities, as part of
international efforts to develop a fully functional global tsunami
forecast and warning system comprising regional tsunami warning
networks, modeled on the International Tsunami Warning System of the
Pacific.
(b) International Tsunami Information Center.--The Administrator of
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, through the
National Weather Service, in cooperation with the Intergovernmental
Oceanographic Commission, shall operate an International Tsunami
Information Center to improve tsunami preparedness for all Pacific
Ocean nations participating in the International Tsunami Warning System
of the Pacific, and which may also provide such assistance to other
nations participating in a global tsunami warning system established
through the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission. As part of its
responsibilities around the world, the Center shall--
(1) monitor international tsunami warning activities around
the world;
(2) assist member states in establishing national warning
systems, and make information available on current technologies
for tsunami warning systems;
(3) maintain a library of materials to promulgate knowledge
about tsunamis in general and for use by the scientific
community; and
(4) disseminate information, including educational materials
and research reports.
(c) Detection Equipment; Technical Advice and Training.--In carrying
out this section, the National Weather Service--
(1) shall give priority to assisting nations in identifying
vulnerable coastal areas, creating inundation maps, obtaining
or designing real-time detection and reporting equipment, and
establishing communication and warning networks and contact
points in each vulnerable nation; and
(2) may establish a process for transfer of detection and
communication technology to affected nations for the purposes
of establishing the international tsunami warning system.
(d) Data-Sharing Requirement.--The National Weather Service, when
deciding to provide assistance under this section, may take into
consideration the data sharing policies and practices of nations
proposed to receive such assistance, with a goal to encourage all
nations to support full and open exchange of data.
SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator of the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to carry out this Act--
(1) $26,000,000 for fiscal year 2006, of which--
(A) 62 percent shall be for the tsunami forecast and
warning systems under section 3 and international
activities under section 6;
(B) 30 percent shall be for the tsunami hazard
mitigation program under section 4; and
(C) 8 percent shall be for the tsunami research
program under section 5;
(2) $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2007, of which--
(A) 66 percent shall be for the tsunami forecast and
warning systems under section 3 and international
activities under section 6;
(B) 26 percent shall be for the tsunami hazard
mitigation program under section 4; and
(C) 8 percent shall be for the tsunami research
program under section 5; and
(3) $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2008, of which--
(A) 66 percent shall be for the tsunami forecast and
warning systems under section 3 and international
activities under section 6;
(B) 26 percent shall be for the tsunami hazard
mitigation program under section 4; and
(C) 8 percent shall be for the tsunami research
program under section 5.
II. PURPOSE OF THE BILL
The purpose of H.R. 1674, the United States Tsunami Warning
and Education Act, is to improve tsunami detection,
forecasting, warnings, notification, preparedness, and
mitigation to protect life and property in the United States
and to assist the international community in the development of
an integrated global tsunami warning and education system.
III. BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR THE LEGISLATION
Indian Ocean Basin Tsunami
On December 26, 2004, an estimated magnitude 9.2 undersea
earthquake off the west coast of northern Sumatra, Indonesia,
unleashed a tsunami that affected more than 12 countries
throughout Southeast Asia and stretched as far as the
Northeastern African coast. Massive tsunami waves hit the
Indonesian coast within minutes of the earthquake, and other
deadly waves raced across the entire 3,000-mile span of the
Indian Ocean Basin within hours. Current estimates indicate
that at least 150,000 people were killed, and millions more
were injured, displaced or otherwise affected. Experts believe
that the earthquake that caused the tsunami was the most
powerful in 40 years and the fourth largest in the last
century. The death toll appears to be the worst on record for a
tsunami. Most experts agree that thousands of lives could have
been saved if an adequate tsunami detection, warning and
education program had existed in these areas.
Tsunamis in the United States
While no tsunami has caused equivalent devastation in the
U.S., tsunamis have hit the U.S. in recent decades, and almost
all of the major ones were generated in the Pacific Ocean.
In 1946, an earthquake along the Aleutian fault (Alaska)
produced waves up to 55 feet high, destroying the City of
Hilo's waterfront (Big Island, Hawaii). The tsunami killed 159
people and caused $255 million in damage (in today's dollars).
In response to this event the Federal government established
the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii in 1948.
In 1960, a magnitude 9.5 earthquake, the most powerful
earthquake in the 20th century, occurred off the coast of
Chile. The resulting Pacific-wide tsunami reached Hawaii with
waves as high as 35 feet, causing 61 deaths and $155 million in
damages (in today's dollars).
In 1964, a magnitude 9.2 earthquake, the largest earthquake
in the Northern Hemisphere in the 20th century, occurred in
Alaska. The resulting tsunami devastated five of Alaska's seven
largest communities and nearly destroyed the Alaskan fishing
industry. Waves also reached the entire California coastline
with heights of 7 to 21 feet. Half of the waterfront district
in Crescent City, CA was destroyed. The tsunami killed more
than 120 people in the U.S. and Canada and caused a total of
$515 million in damage (in today's dollars).
Many experts predict that an earthquake similar in
magnitude and proximity to the shore as that which occurred in
Sumatra has a 10 to 15 percent chance of striking the West
Coast of the U.S. within the next 50 years. Such a tsunami
would wreak havoc on the West Coast within minutes, before any
warnings could likely be issued. Therefore, the best way to
save lives during such an event is for States and local
officials to develop evacuation and disaster plans and educate
the public about what it must do immediately after feeling the
ground shake.
From June 14 to June 17, 2005, four earthquakes, the
largest being a magnitude 7.2, shook the West Coast. While,
fortunately, none of the earthquakes caused a tsunami, news
reports highlighted the fragmented and divergent warning
systems and responses from State and local officials and the
public. These events further showed the need for a coordinated
education and outreach plan.
Existing U.S. Tsunami Warning System
To protect the U.S., the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) operates two tsunami warning centers, one
in Alaska and one in Hawaii. The Hawaiian center dates back to
1948, and the entire warning system as it exists today, which
includes tsunami-detecting buoys, has been in place since 2001.
But, because there are no tsunami-detecting buoys or other
detection equipment in the Indian Ocean Basin, the U.S. warning
centers were unable to adequately forecast the December 2004
Indian Ocean Basin tsunami or send warnings to the affected
nations in time to be helpful. If the disaster had occurred in
the Pacific Ocean, some experts question whether the U.S. would
have been adequately prepared, because three of the six special
tsunami-detecting buoys the U.S. has deployed in the Pacific
Ocean were not functioning at the time. The U.S. has no tsunami
detection and warning systems in place for the coastal areas of
the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico or Caribbean Sea, areas that
face at least some risk of tsunamis.
Administration Tsunami Plan
On January 14, 2005, in response to the Indian Ocean Basin
tsunami, the Administration announced an interagency plan to
improve U.S. risk assessment, detection and warning
capabilities, and disaster planning for tsunamis. The plan
would cost $37.5 million over Fiscal Years 2005 and 2006, with
about $24 million for NOAA and about $13.5 million for the
United States Geological Survey (USGS). Most of the proposed
funding for NOAA would be used to procure and deploy 32 special
tsunami-detecting buoys, while funding for USGS would be to
upgrade and expand its seismic sensor network. This legislation
is based on the Administration's proposal. H.R. 1674 authorizes
the tsunami activities at NOAA and addresses concerns that a
number of experts voiced regarding deficiencies in the
Administration's proposal, most notably, a lack of emphasis on
education and outreach activities.
IV. SUMMARY OF HEARINGS
The House Committee on Science held a hearing January 26,
2005, on ``Tsunamis: Is the U.S. Prepared?'' The hearing
focused on the causes of tsunamis, the risks they pose to the
U.S. and to the rest of the world, and how the U.S. should
prepare for them.
The Committee heard from: (1) The Honorable Jay Inslee,
Member, U.S. House of Representatives; (2) Dr. Charles ``Chip''
Groat, Director of the United States Geological Survey; (3)
Gen. David L. Johnson (ret.), Director of the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service; (4)
Dr. John Orcutt, Deputy Director for Research at the Scripps
Institution of Oceanography, University of California at San
Diego, and President of the American Geophysical Union; (5) Dr.
Arthur Lerner-Lam, Director of the Columbia Center for Hazards
and Risk Research, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia
University; and (6) Mr. Jay Wilson, Coordinator of Earthquake
and Tsunami Programs, Plans and Training Section, Oregon
Emergency Management.
Congressman Inslee testified that the country will
experience future earthquakes and tsunamis and that many areas
in the country are at risk. He stated that the U.S. needs to
deploy significantly more tsunami-detecting buoys to adequately
detect tsunamis approaching the U.S. In addition, he argued
that buoys would not be sufficient without a warning and
education system to provide people on the shorelines with a
course of action in the event of an earthquake or tsunami.
Dr. Groat testified that the Pacific Northwest is at
significant risk from tsunami-causing earthquakes. He said that
under the Administration's proposal USGS would be able to
significantly improve earthquake data processing and analysis,
which would increase the USGS's ability to determine whether
any given earthquake is likely to cause a tsunami and to
transmit that data more quickly to tsunami forecasters and
other officials.
Gen. Johnson stated that under the Administration's
proposal NOAA would expand the current tsunami warning system
for the U.S. through the installation of 32 new tsunami-
detecting buoys and 38 new sea-level monitoring and tide gauges
by 2007. Furthermore, the Administration's plan would increase
funding for NOAA's TsunamiReady program, he said, which
provides education and outreach to vulnerable communities.
Finally, the Administration and NOAA support the development of
a Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS), he said,
which would link observations taken from many nations and help
provide a real-time international tsunami warning capability.
This capability did not exist when the Indian Ocean tsunami
occurred, he noted. Gen. Johnson stated he supported efforts by
Congress to help implement these programs.
Dr. Orcutt stressed that long-term maintenance of the
Global Seismic Network (GSN) and tsunami-detection systems is
extremely important. He argued that current GSN funding is
inadequate. He also testified that there should be a greater
emphasis on deployment of inexpensive monitoring technology and
suggested that any technology should be integrated with
existing systems.
Dr. Lerner-Lam stated that the Administration's proposal
should have a greater emphasis on involving regional, State and
local agencies in the development of a comprehensive tsunami
warning program. He noted that the proposal lacked appropriate
funds to develop new technologies. In addition, he stated that
the tsunami warning system buoys and tide gauges should be a
part of GEOSS, and ensure interoperability of its system with
those developed by international partners.
Mr. Wilson discussed the importance of the National Tsunami
Hazard Mitigation Program, a Federal/State community-based
outreach and education program, and suggested that it be funded
at an annual level of at least $7.8 million. This level of
funding would be the most cost-effective means of protecting
U.S. coastlines by providing long-term support for the state
tsunami hazard mapping and mitigation programs, he said. These
mapping and mitigation programs provide States and localities
with the necessary information to prepare evacuation and
disaster plans and to educate the public about the plans, he
said.
V. COMMITTEE ACTIONS
On January 26, 2005, the Committee on Science heard
testimony from State and Federal officials on the threat that
tsunamis posed to the United States, as well as on steps the
Federal government should take to mitigate these threats. On
April 18, 2005, Congressman Sherwood Boehlert introduced H.R.
1674, the United States Tsunami Warning and Education Act,
which was referred to the Committee on Science.
On April 20, 2005, the Subcommittee on Environment,
Technology, and Standards considered H.R. 1674, The United
States Tsunami Warning and Education Act, and ordered the
measure reported favorably, without amendment, by a voice vote.
On May 4, 2005, the Committee on Science met to consider
H.R. 1674, and considered the following amendments to the bill:
1. Mr. Boehlert offered a manger's amendment that made
technical corrections to the bill based on recommendations from
the Administration. The amendment also increased the funding
for the National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program from $6
million to $7.8 million as recommended by State officials and
supported by other Members of the Committee. The amendment was
adopted by a voice vote.
2. Mr. Wu offered an amendment to authorize the study of
the potential for improving communication systems for tsunami
hazards warnings. Mr. Wu made a motion to withdraw his
amendment, and by unanimous consent, the request to withdraw
the amendment was agreed to.
The motion to adopt the bill as amended passed by a voice
vote. Mr. Gordon moved that the Committee favorably report the
bill H.R. 1674, as amended, to the House with the
recommendation that the bill, as amended, do pass; that the
staff be instructed to prepare the legislative report and make
necessary technical and conforming changes; and that the
Chairman take all necessary steps to bring the bill before the
House for consideration. With a quorum present, the motion was
agreed to by a voice vote.
VI. SUMMARY OF MAJOR PROVISIONS OF THE BILL, AS REPORTED
H.R. 1674 would:
Expand tsunami forecasting and warning capability
to cover all U.S. coastlines (not just the Pacific). The bill
would provide flexibility to NOAA to determine the proper mix
of tsunami detection equipment (buoys, tidal gauges, etc.) that
it should deploy, but require that the components be integrated
with other ocean observing systems.
Place greater emphasis on tsunami education and
outreach activities. The bill would codify the National Tsunami
Hazard Mitigation Program, an existing Federal-State
partnership, to improve community awareness and preparedness
for tsunamis. States would help decide what activities would be
funded, such as developing and updating inundation maps and
evacuation plans and installing warning sirens.
Require NOAA to have a dedicated tsunami research
program to improve capabilities to detect, forecast, and
mitigate tsunami threats with specific research on new buoys,
modeling and mapping.
Direct the National Academy of Sciences to review
NOAA's tsunami programs and provide recommendations to improve
them.
Require NOAA to notify Congress within three
months if any part of the detection or warning system
malfunctions.
Direct NOAA to provide technical advice and
training to the international community. NOAA would provide
guidance on detection equipment, identifying and mapping
vulnerable coastal areas and developing communication
technologies to provide quick and reliable warnings to
vulnerable communities.
Authorize appropriations for NOAA of $26 million
in FY 2006, with 62 percent allocated for tsunami forecasting
and warning systems and international activities; 30 percent
for the National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program; and 8
percent for the tsunami research program. For FY 2007 and 2008,
the bill would authorize appropriations for NOAA of $30
million, with 66 percent allocated for tsunami forecast and
warning systems and international activities; 26 percent for
the National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program; and 8 percent
for the tsunami research program.
VII. SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS (BY TITLE AND SECTION), AS REPORTED
Section 1. Short title
The United States Tsunami Warning and Education Act
Section 2. Purposes
Describes the purposes of the Act: (1) to improve tsunami
detection, forecasting, warnings, notification, preparedness
and mitigation in the U.S.; (2) to enhance and modernize the
existing Pacific tsunami warning system and to expand detection
and warning systems to the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and
Gulf of Mexico; (3) to improve tsunami mapping, modeling,
research and assessment efforts; (4) to improve and increase
education and outreach activities; (5) to provide technical and
other assistance to international efforts to establish regional
tsunami warning systems in vulnerable areas worldwide,
including the Indian Ocean region; and (6) to improve Federal,
state, and international coordination for tsunami and other
coastal hazard warnings and preparedness.
Section 3. Tsunami forecasting and warning program
Requires NOAA to operate a program to provide tsunami
forecasting and warnings for the Pacific Ocean region, and for
the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico regions.
The components of the program shall include: tsunami
warning centers; forecasting capabilities, based on
measurements, models and maps; a cooperative effort among NOAA,
USGS, and the National Science Foundation (NSF) to provide
seismic information; and the capability for the rapid and
reliable dissemination of tsunami warnings to States and
communities.
Directs the National Weather Service to develop
requirements for the equipment used to forecast tsunamis,
including how the equipment will be integrated into other
United States and global environmental observing systems, and a
plan for the transfer of technology from research into
operations. Requires the National Weather Service to submit
reports to Congress on how it will integrate the equipment and
on the technology transfer plan. Also requires the National
Weather Service to notify Congress when tsunami forecasting
capabilities are impaired for more than three months due to
equipment or contractor problems.
Requires the Administrator to enter into an arrangement
with the National Academy of Sciences to evaluate and provide
recommendations on how to improve NOAA's tsunami detection,
forecast and warning activities.
Section 4. National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program
Directs the National Weather Service to conduct the
National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program, a Federal-State
partnership to improve community awareness and preparation for
tsunamis. Establishes a coordinating committee of Federal and
state officials, which shall develop a plan for ensuring wide
participation in the program; determine how funds will be
allocated; and provide recommendations to increase resiliency
of vulnerable communities. Specifically, the National Tsunami
Hazard Mitigation Program will use NOAA models and maps to
assess vulnerable areas; promote and improve community outreach
and education networks; and integrate tsunami preparedness and
mitigation programs into ongoing hazard warnings and planning.
Section 5. Tsunami research program
Requires NOAA to establish a tsunami research program to
develop detection, forecasting, communication and mitigation
tools and technologies. Directs the research program to work
with the National Weather Service on ways to transfer the
research into operations.
Section 6. Global tsunami warning and mitigation network
Directs NOAA to provide technical assistance and training
to the international community toward the development of a
fully functional global tsunami forecast and warning system.
Establishes the International Tsunami Information Center to
provide information and advice to nations around the world to
improve tsunami preparedness.
Section 7. Authorization of appropriations
Authorizes appropriations of $26 million for fiscal year
2006 and $30 million for each of fiscal years 2007 and 2008 to
carry out the Act. Specifies that of any funds appropriated for
activities under this act for fiscal year 2006, 62 percent
should be used for the tsunami forecast and warning systems
under section 3 and section 6, 30 percent should be used for
the National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program under section 4,
and 8 percent should be for the tsunami research program under
section 5. For each of fiscal years 2007 and 2008, 66 percent
should be used for the tsunami forecast and warning systems
under section 3 and section 6, 26 percent should be used for
the National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program under section 4,
and 8 percent should be for the tsunami research program under
section 5.
VIII. COMMITTEE VIEWS
Section 3. Tsunami forecasting and warning program
The massive destruction and widespread nature of the Indian
Ocean Basin tsunami has caused the U.S. to reevaluate its
existing system, which currently only has detection
capabilities in the Pacific Ocean. The Act requires NOAA to
expand its detection and warning system to the areas of the
Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, which also
have some risk of tsunamis. Because of its expertise in
seismology and earthquakes, the Committee expects NOAA to work
with the USGS on how best to provide coverage and where to
deploy technology in these new areas.
The seismic networks operated by the USGS and NSF provide
earthquake information that is vital to NOAA's abilities to
properly forecast tsunamis, although NOAA does have a few
seismic sensors of its own. The Act requires NOAA to work in
cooperation with USGS and NSF to ensure information is shared
rapidly. The Committee expects this cooperative effort will
enable improvements in collecting and transmitting crucial
earthquake data, in forecasting tsunamis, and in issuing
tsunami warnings to potentially affected communities,
ultimately shaving valuable seconds off the response time to
these fast-moving disasters.
To be more cost-effective, provide greater scientific
value, and increase support for sustainable funding for the
tsunami detection systems, the Act requires NOAA to develop
specific requirements for the buoys, including provisions to
ensure the equipment will serve multiple purposes and to be
integrated into other global observing systems. The Committee
will follow this issue closely as the Act also requires NOAA to
report to Congress about its integration efforts.
The Committee expects the Administration to utilize and
maintain the maximum practicable array of robust detection
technologies, including (but not limited to) deep ocean
detection buoys (including redundant and spare buoys) and an
associated tide-gauge and water level system for long-term
continuous operation of tsunami detection, forecasting and
warning transmission capabilities.
The Committee expects the Administrator to seek the
assistance of the Coast Guard, Navy, and other appropriate
Federal agencies when deploying and maintaining tsunami
detection technologies.
The Act requires NOAA to contract with the National Academy
of Sciences to review NOAA's entire tsunami detection,
forecast, and warning program. The Committee expects the review
to include consideration of the following specific issues:
Whether the program is being implemented in
the most effective way possible;
Whether the geographic distribution of the
tsunami-detecting buoys and other instruments are
optimal; and
Whether those instruments are sufficiently
integrated into other ocean-observing systems so as to
ensure the long-term sustainability of the program.
The Committee expects NOAA to follow the Academy's report
as it updates and improves tsunami detection, forecast and
warning activities.
Section 4. National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program
The Committee heard repeatedly from witnesses and outside
experts about the importance of education and outreach
programs. While buoy technology is important in accurately and
quickly forecasting tsunamis, the affected public must know
what to do and where to go when a tsunami could be approaching.
Unfortunately, in the case of the Indian Ocean Basin tsunami,
thousands of lives could have been saved if people had simply
known what to do and had sought higher ground upon feeling the
earth shake violently.
The Committee expects NOAA to use the National Tsunami
Hazard Mitigation Program as the foundation of its education
and outreach activities. While the program's focus must expand
to include the U.S. states and territories along the Atlantic
Ocean, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, the Committee expects
the program to continue to focus on those areas most vulnerable
to a tsunami.
The Committee expects that the Tsunami Hazard Mitigation
Program Coordinating Committee will include representatives
from the following federal agencies: the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (chair), the United States
Geological Survey (through its earthquake programs), the
National Science Foundation, the National Institute of
Standards and Technology, and the Federal Emergency Management
Administration.
The capability to share information in the event of an
emergency is imperative. Development of communication networks
must be part of a coordinated effort between coastal community,
county, State, and Federal participants.
While the Act does not explicitly spell out how such a
communications infrastructure is to be developed, the Committee
notes already-existing public-private efforts, and encourages
NOAA to work with such local stakeholders to further improve
such coastal tsunami warning and communications systems.
The Administration's proposal highlights the National
Weather Service's TsunamiReady Program, which certifies that
localities have met specific criteria in tsunami disaster
planning. However, many States and localities have complained
that the TsunamiReady Program does not currently provide
funding or adequate advice to communities on how to meet the
criteria. The Committee expects NOAA to incorporate the
recommendations of the Coordinating Committee to improve the
TsunamiReady Program.
Section 5. Tsunami research program
The Committee expects those involved in the research
program to coordinate closely with those in the National
Weather Service to ensure that the ideas that arise from
successful research conducted under this section will be put
into operational use.
The Committee expects that the tsunami research program
will help develop tools to determine whether an earthquake or
other seismic event will result in a tsunami and the likely
path, severity, duration, and travel time of a tsunami. Also,
the research program shall develop techniques and technologies
that may be used to communicate tsunami forecasts and warnings
as quickly and effectively as possible to affected communities.
The Committee also expects the Administrator to ensure that the
research program is coordinated with efforts of other agencies
to ensure techniques and technologies are being developed and
deployed that would support evacuation information needs,
including real-time notice of problems or blockages along
tsunami evacuation routes in at-risk areas.
Section 6. Global tsunami warning and mitigation network
In the aftermath of the December 24, 2004 earthquake and
tsunami, NOAA officials stated that no formal mechanisms or
protocols were in place to warn Indian Ocean Basin nations. The
Committee expects NOAA to work with the international community
to remedy this situation.
The international community has since held several meetings
to examine how best to develop a global tsunami warning system.
The Committee is concerned by news reports that many of the
nations plan to develop their own independent systems, which
could jeopardize the sharing of information and hamper efforts
to adequately provide tsunami forecasts and warnings for all
nations. The Committee expects the National Weather Service to
coordinate with the State Department to find ways to encourage
nations to make their systems interoperable with the U.S.
system.
The Committee assumes that the Administration's receipt of
reimbursement from international partners will continue under
the same procedures in effect on the date of enactment of this
Act.
Section 7. Authorization of appropriations
The Committee is concerned that the Administration's
tsunami proposal may rely too heavily on expensive buoys and
rely too little on education and outreach. To ensure that NOAA
strikes a better balance in implementing the Act, the Committee
prescribes a percentage of any amounts appropriated for each
component of the program and expects NOAA to follow the
percentages.
IX. COST ESTIMATE
A cost estimate and comparison prepared by the Director of
the Congressional Budget Office under section 402 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 has been timely submitted to
the Committee on Science prior to the filing of this report and
is included in Section X of this report pursuant to House Rule
XIII, clause 3(c)(3).
H.R. 1674 contains no new budget authority, credit
authority, or changes in revenues or tax expenditures. Assuming
that the sums authorized under the bill are appropriated, H.R.
1674 does authorize additional discretionary spending, as
described in the Congressional Budget Office report on the
bill, which is contained in Section X of this report.
X. CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE COST ESTIMATE
U.S. Congress,
Congressional Budget Office,
Washington, DC, May 12, 2005.
Hon. Sherwood L. Boehlert,
Chairman, Committee on Science,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 1674, the United
States Tsunami Warning and Education Act.
If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Deborah Reis.
Sincerely,
Douglas Holtz-Eakin,
Director.
Enclosure.
H.R. 1674--United States Tsunami Warning and Education Act
Summary: H.R. 1674 would direct the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration to establish and implement new
programs to research, detect, monitor, and mitigate the effects
of tsunamis in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, the Caribbean
Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico. The bill would direct the agency
to upgrade and improve existing systems and data management
efforts and would authorize it to provide technical aid to
those affected by tsunamis, including local and international
entities. For those purposes, the bill would authorize the
appropriation of $26 million for fiscal year 2006 and $30
million for each of fiscal years 2007 and 2008.
CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 1674 would cost a
total of $86 million over the 2006-2010 period, assuming
appropriation of the amounts authorized. Enacting H.R. 1674
could affect direct spending, but CBO estimates any offsetting
receipts and subsequent spending would not exceed $500,000 in
any year. Enacting the bill would not affect revenues.
H.R. 1674 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector
mandates as defined by the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA).
Coastal states and local communities would benefit from the
programs and grants authorized in this bill; any costs they may
incur would be from complying with conditions of federal
assistance.
Estimated cost to the Federal Government: The estimated
budgetary impact of H.R. 1674 is shown in the following table.
The costs of this legislation fall within budget function 300
(natural resources and environment).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
By fiscal year, in millions of
dollars--
---------------------------------------
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHANGES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION
Authorization Level............. 26 30 30 0 0
Estimated Outlays............... 5 15 25 28 13
------------------------------------------------------------------------
For this estimate, CBO assumes that H.R. 1674 will be
enacted by the beginning of 2006 and that the entire amounts
authorized will be appropriated for each year. Estimated
outlays are based on historical spending patterns of similar
scientific programs. Some of the costs of carrying out a global
tsunami warning and mitigation program may be offset by
reimbursements from other countries participating in the
program, but CBO estimates that such reimbursements would be
less than $500,000 annually.
Intergovernmental and private-sector impact: H.R. 1674
contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as
defined by UMRA. Coastal states and local communities would
benefit from the programs and grants authorized in this bill;
any costs they may incur would be from complying with
conditions of federal assistance.
Previous CBO estimate: On March 17, 2005, CBO transmitted a
cost estimate for S. 50, the Tsunami Preparedness Act, as
ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science,
and Transportation on March 17, 2005. The two versions of the
legislation are similar; however, the House version would
authorize a lesser amount of appropriations: S. 50 would
authorize the appropriation of $40 million a year for 2006
through 2012.
Estimate prepared by: Federal Costs: Deborah Reis and Mike
Waters. Impact on State, Local, and Tribal Governments: Lisa
Ramirez-Branum. Impact on the Private Sector: Jean Talarico.
Estimate approved by: Peter H. Fontaine, Deputy Assistant
Director for Budget Analysis.
XI. COMPLIANCE WITH PUBLIC LAW 104-4
H.R. 1674 contains no unfunded mandates.
XII. COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee on Science's oversight findings and
recommendations are reflected in the body of this report.
XIII. STATEMENT ON GENERAL PERFORMANCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The goal of this Act is to improve tsunami detection,
forecasting, warnings, notification, preparedness, and
mitigation to protect life and property in the United States
and assist the international community in the development of an
integrated global tsunami warning and education system.
XIV. CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT
Article I, section 8 of the Constitution of the United
States grants Congress the authority to enact H.R. 1674.
XV. FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT
The Act codifies an existing advisory committee.
XVI. CONGRESSIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY ACT
The Committee finds that H.R. 1674 does not relate to the
terms and conditions of employment or access to public services
or accommodations within the meaning of section 102(b)(3) of
the Congressional Accountability Act (Public Law 104-1).
XVII. STATEMENT ON PREEMPTION OF STATE, LOCAL, OR TRIBAL LAW
This bill is not intended to preempt any State, local, or
tribal law.
XVIII. CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED
This legislation does not amend any existing Federal
statute.
XIX. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
On May 4, 2005, a quorum being present, the Committee on
Science favorably reported H.R. 1674, the United States Tsunami
Warning and Education Act, by a voice vote and recommended its
enactment.
XXII: PROCEEDINGS OF THE MARKUP BY THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT,
TECHNOLOGY, AND STANDARDS ON H.R. 1674, U.S. TSUNAMI WARNING AND
EDUCATION ACT
----------
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2005
House of Representatives,
Subcommittee on Environment, Technology, and
Standards,
Committee on Science,
Washington, DC.
The Subcommittee met, pursuant to call, at 3:00 p.m., in
Room 2318 of the Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. Vernon J.
Ehlers [Chairman of the Subcommittee] presiding.
Chairman Ehlers. Good afternoon. The Subcommittee will be
in order. Pursuant to notice, the Subcommittee on Environment,
Technology, and Standards meets today to consider the following
measure, H.R. 1674, United States Tsunami Warning and Education
Act.
I ask unanimous consent for the authority to recess the
Subcommittee at any point, and without objection, it is so
ordered. We will now consider the bill, H.R. 1674, and proceed
with opening remarks.
On December 26, 2004, one of the most devastating tsunamis
ever recorded struck the nations of the Indian Ocean basin. And
incidentally, I move that my entire statement be entered in the
record, and I will try to skip certain portions of it. As
people recovered from the shock of the event, we naturally
began to ask questions, such as what can we learn from this to
prevent future disasters.
In that vein, I joined Chairman Boehlert, Mr. Wu, and Mr.
Inslee, to introduce H.R. 1674. This bill, the U.S. Tsunami
Warning and Education Act, authorizes $30 million annually for
NOAA to expand tsunami forecasts and warning capability for all
U.S. coastlines, to increase emphasis on community-based
tsunami education and outreach activities, so that the public
knows the proper response to tsunami warnings. Third, to
maintain a tsunami research program, and fourth, to provide
technical advice and training to the international community.
The bill is based on the Administration's proposal for a
national tsunami warning system, and it incorporates comments
from many experts.
Unfortunately, it has taken a tragic event to bring natural
disaster response planning to our attention today. However, now
that the opportunity is upon us, we must act quickly to
establish a tsunami forecast and warning system for the Untied
States, and to educate the public to understand and heed the
warnings.
This is an excellent bill, produced by Chairman Boehlert,
and I urge my colleagues to support this bill and pass it along
to the Full Committee.
I also want to add one other comment. All the attention of
the tsunami in the Indian Ocean basin has created this
interest, but we should be aware that many countries are
vulnerable to tsunami damage, and in particular, the United
States frequently encounters damage in Alaska and the Hawaiian
islands. However, the mainland is also not immune. In March of
1964, when the Great Alaska Earthquake occurred, tsunamis
traveled down the West Coast of the United States. The place
that got hit the hardest, just because of the direction of the
wave, and the topography of the area, and the direction of the
opening of the Bay, was Crescent City, California. And in
particular, this illustrates the importance of educating people
about tsunamis. In particular, they were hit hard because,
after the first wave or two hit, they thought well, that is it.
Tsunamis are only one or two waves. And they went back to their
homes and businesses. The third and the fourth waves were by
far the largest, and basically demolished the city, killing a
great many people. Though they are now, I would say, the best
educated area of the United States. In terms of tsunami
warnings, they know precisely how to deal with it. We want to
achieve that throughout the world, in any area susceptible to
tsunamis.
I am now pleased to recognize Mr. Wu for five minutes to
present his opening remarks.
[The prepared statement of Chairman Ehlers follows:]
Prepared Statement of Chairman Vernon J. Ehlers
Good afternoon everyone. Thank you for coming to today's brief
Subcommittee markup of H.R. 1674, the U.S. Tsunami Warning and
Education Act. On December 26, 2004, one of the most devastating
tsunamis ever recorded struck the nations of the Indian Ocean Basin. As
people recovered from the shock of the event, we naturally began to ask
questions such as ``What can we learn from this to prevent future
disasters?'' In that vein, I joined Chairman Boehlert, Mr. Wu, and Mr.
Inslee to introduce H.R. 1674.
The U.S. Tsunami Warning and Education Act authorizes $30 million
annually for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to:
expand tsunami forecast and warning capability for
all U.S. coastlines;
increase emphasis on community-based tsunami
education and outreach activities so that the public knows the
proper response to tsunami warnings;
maintain a tsunami research program; and
provide technical advice and training to the
international community.
The bill is based on the Administration's proposal for a national
tsunami warning system and incorporates comments from many experts,
including witnesses at the Science Committee hearing held in January.
Unfortunately, it has taken a tragic event to bring natural
disaster response planning to our attention today. However, now that
the opportunity is upon us we must act quickly to establish a tsunami
forecast and warning system for the United States, and to educate the
public to understand and heed the warnings. Chairman Boehlert developed
an excellent bill and we do not anticipate any amendments at today's
markup. I urge my colleagues to support this bill and pass it along to
the Full Committee.
Mr. Wu. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and good afternoon. I
thank the Chairman, Chairman Ehlers, and Chairman Boehlert for
bringing H.R. 1674 before the Committee and this subcommittee
this afternoon, and I am pleased to be an original co-sponsor
of this legislation.
While we cannot prevent earthquakes and tsunami, we can
prepare for them, and ensure that the citizens of our coastal
communities take appropriate action when an event occurs, and
well before the event, in preparation for it. Detection and
forecasting are not sufficient. States and local communities
must be prepared to disseminate the warning, and to direct the
public to areas of safety. Individual citizens must know where
to go when they receive a warning, or how to proceed if no
warning is forthcoming, and they sense, and they undergo a
large earthquake near the ocean.
I am fortunate to represent a Congressional district in
Oregon with a beautiful coastline. However, we are also well
aware of the potential danger presented by the Cascadia fault,
a subduction fault line located just off-shore. A 250 mile
region of this subduction fault zone is currently locked. It
has been locked, we believe, for the last 300 years, or 305
years, and it is not a matter of whether, it is only a matter
of when a large earthquake will occur. It may be immediately
off the coastline of Oregon and Washington.
Oregon has done a great deal to keep our coastline both
beautiful and our citizens safe. Cannon Beach, a coastal
community in the First Congressional District of Oregon, was
one of the first coastal communities to be designated Tsunami-
Ready by NOAA. H.R. 1674 builds upon the successful partnership
that exists between Federal, State, and local governments on
the West Coast to ensure that all U.S. coastal communities will
be prepared to deal with tsunami. The bill authorizes the type
of end-to-end system that we must have if we are to avoid the
catastrophic loss of life experienced last December in the
Indian Ocean nations.
I still have some concerns about the funding levels we are
authorizing in this bill. State and local governments have
limited resources, and the current funding level in the bill of
$6 million per year for tsunami mitigation and education is
less than the $7.8 million per year recommended at our Science
Committee hearing by Mr. Jay Wilson of Oregon Emergency
Management, and I must note that the $7.8 million recommended
number was for the Pacific coast, and the $6 million number
that we were talking about is not only for the Pacific coast,
but it is also for the Caribbean and Atlantic basins. The
addition of the Atlantic and Caribbean basins to the warning
network will increase the demands on the funds available for
inundation mapping, education, and local community mitigation
and preparation steps.
I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues on
this bill as it moves forward, to ensure that we provide
sufficient resources for education and hazard mitigation. I
understand that we have constraints on our total budget, on
total expenditures, and understand that there are certain
minimum requirements that our physical system needs in order to
maintain full capacity. However, I just need to point out, once
again, as I have in other settings, that the education and
mitigation steps provided for in this bill are those parts of
the bill which will most directly benefit Americans in case of
a near-shore earthquake right off our shores. The hardware and
the other necessary sensors, if a near-shore earthquake occurs
off North America, will certainly be helpful and appropriately
so, to people we care about in Japan or elsewhere in the world,
but the only thing that can help Americans here, if there is a
near-shore earthquake, are mitigation and education steps.
I look forward to working with Chairman Ehlers, Chairman
Boehlert, and other co-sponsors, and other Members--co-sponsors
of the legislation, and Members of this subcommittee, and the
Science Committee, to set forth the best piece of legislation
that we possibly can, and I urge support of the existing
legislation by all the Members of this panel.
Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I yield back the balance
of my time.
[The prepared statement of Mr. Wu follows:]
Prepared Statement of Representative David Wu
Good afternoon. I thank the Chairman for bringing H.R. 1674 before
the Subcommittee this afternoon. I am pleased to be a co-sponsor of
this legislation.
We cannot prevent earthquakes and tsunamis, but we can prepare for
them and ensure the citizens of our coastal communities take
appropriate action when an event occurs. Detection and forecasting are
not sufficient. States and local communities must be prepared to
disseminate the warning and direct the public to safe areas. Individual
citizens must know where to go when they receive a warning.
I am fortunate to represent a district in Oregon with a beautiful
coastline. However, we are also well aware of the potential danger
presented by the Cascadia fault located just off-shore. Oregon has done
a great deal to keep our coastline beautiful and our citizens safe.
Cannon Beach, a coastal community in my district, was one of the first
coastal communities to be designated Tsunami-Ready by NOAA.
H.R. 1674 builds upon the successful partnership that exists
between the Federal, State, and local governments on the west coast to
ensure that all U.S. coastal communities will be prepared to deal with
tsunamis. The bill authorizes the type of end-to-end system we must
have if we are to avoid the catastrophic loss of life experienced last
December in the Indian Ocean nations.
I still have some concerns about the funding levels we are
authorizing in the bill. State and local governments have limited
resources and the current funding level of $6 million per year for
tsunami hazard mitigation is less than the $7.8 million per year
recommended at our hearing by Mr. Jay Wilson of Oregon Emergency
Management.
Addition of the Atlantic and Caribbean basins to the warning
network will increase the demands on the funds available for inundation
mapping, education and local communication networks. I will continue to
work with my colleagues as this bill moves forward to ensure we provide
sufficient resources for education and hazard mitigation.
I look forward to working with Chairman Ehlers and the other co-
sponsors of this legislation to move this legislation through the
Committee. I urge support of the legislation by all my colleagues.
Chairman Ehlers. Without objection, all Members may place
opening statements in the record at this point. I hear no
objection. So ordered.
I ask unanimous consent that the bill is considered as read
and open to amendment at any point. Without objection, so
ordered.
Are there any amendments? Hearing none, the question is on
the bill, H.R. 1674, United States Tsunami Warning and
Education Act. All those in favor will say aye. Aye. All those
opposed will say no.
In the opinion of the Chair, the ayes have it. I will now
recognize Mr. Wu to offer a motion.
Mr. Wu. Mr. Chairman, I move that the Subcommittee
favorably report the bill, H.R. 1674 to the Full Committee.
Further, I ask unanimous consent that the staff be instructed
to make all necessary technical and conforming changes to the
bill in accordance with the recommendation of the subcommittee.
Chairman Ehlers. The question is on the motion to report
the bill favorably. Those in favor of the motion will signify
by saying aye. Aye. Opposed, no.
At this, the ayes appear to have it, and the bill is
favorably reported. Without objection, the motion to reconsider
is laid upon the table.
I have one item of business before we adjourn, and that is
to recognize that our esteemed Staff Director for this
subcommittee and his wife enjoy the presence of a new baby. Her
first name again was? Gabrielle Marie. Born yesterday, after a
considerable time of labor, but it was certainly worth the
effort. Wonderful baby. And we congratulate Eric and his wife,
Natalie, on this wonderful addition to their family.
Unfortunately, I think he is still at home recovering from the
shock. Yeah, he may be watching the webcast. If so, I hope he
heard the applause.
Having no further business to come before this
subcommittee, this meeting is adjourned.
[Whereupon, at 3:15 p.m., the Subcommittee was adjourned.]
Appendix:
----------
H.R. 1674, Section-by-Section Analysis
Section-by-Section Analysis of H.R. 1674,
United States Tsunami Warning and Education Act
Section 1. Short Title.
United States Tsunami Warning and Education Act
Section 2. Purposes.
Describes the purposes of the Act: (1) to improve tsunami
detection, forecasting, warnings, notification, preparedness and
mitigation both in the U.S. and around the world; (2) to enhance and
modernize the existing Pacific tsunami warning system and to expand
detection and warning systems to the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and
Gulf of Mexico; (3) to improve tsunami mapping, modeling, research and
assessment efforts; (4) to improve and increase education and outreach
activities; (5) to provide technical and other assistance to
international efforts to establish regional tsunami warning systems in
vulnerable areas worldwide, including the Indian Ocean region; and (6)
to improve federal, State, and international coordination for tsunami
and other coastal hazard warnings and preparedness.
Section 3. Tsunami Forecasting and Warning Program.
Requires NOAA to operate a program to provide tsunami forecasting
and warnings for the Pacific Ocean region, and for the Atlantic Ocean,
Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico regions.
The components of the program shall include: tsunami warning
centers; forecasting capabilities, based on measurements, models and
maps; a cooperative effort among NOAA, USGS, and NSF to provide seismic
information; and the capability for the rapid and reliable
dissemination of tsunami warnings to States and communities.
Directs the National Weather Service to develop requirements for
the equipment used to forecast tsunamis, including how the equipment
will be integrated into other United States and global environmental
observing systems and a plan for the transfer of technology from
research into operations. Requires the National Weather Service to
submit reports to Congress on how it will integrate the equipment and
on the technology transfer plan. Also requires the National Weather
Service to notify Congress when tsunami forecasting capabilities are
impaired for more than three months due to equipment or contractor
problems.
Requires the Administrator to enter into an arrangement with the
National Academy of Sciences to evaluate and provide recommendation on
how to improve NOAA's tsunami detection, forecast and warning
activities.
Section 4. Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program.
Directs the National Weather Service to conduct a community-based
tsunami hazard mitigation program to improve tsunami preparedness of
at-risk areas. Establishes a coordinating committee of federal and
State officials, which shall: develop a plan for ensuring wide
participation in the program; determine how funds will be allocated;
and provide recommendations to increase resiliency of vulnerable
communities. Specifically, the program will: use NOAA models and maps
to assess vulnerable areas; promote and improve community outreach and
education networks; and integrate tsunami preparedness and mitigation
programs into ongoing hazard warnings and planning.
Section 5. Tsunami Research Program.
Requires NOAA to establish a tsunami research program to develop
detection, forecasting, communication and mitigation tools and
technologies. Directs the program to work with the National Weather
Service on ways to transfer the research into operations.
Section 6. Global Tsunami Warning and Mitigation Network.
Directs NOAA to provide technical assistance and training to the
international community toward the development of a fully functional
global tsunami forecast and warning system. Establishes the
International Tsunami Information Center to provide information and
advice to nations around the world to improve tsunami preparedness.
Section 7. Authorization of Appropriations.
Provides $30 million for each of fiscal years 2006-2008 to carry
out the act. Specifies that of any funds appropriated for activities
under this act, 70 percent should be used for the tsunami forecast and
warning systems under section three and section six, 20 percent should
be used for the tsunami hazard mitigation program under section four,
and 10 percent should be for the tsunami research program under section
five.
XXIII: PROCEEDINGS OF THE FULL COMMITTEE MARKUP ON H.R. 1674, UNITED
STATES TSUNAMI WARNING AND EDUCATION ACT
----------
WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2005
House of Representatives,
Committee on Science,
Washington, DC.
The Committee met, pursuant to call, at 10:17 a.m., in Room
2318 of the Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. Sherwood L.
Boehlert [Chairman of the Committee] presiding.
Chairman Boehlert. Good morning. The Committee on Science
will come to order.
Pursuant to notice, the Committee on Science meets to
consider the following measures: H.R. 921, Minority Serving
Institution Digital and Wireless Technology Opportunity Act of
2005; H.R. 1674, U.S. Tsunami Warning and Education Act; and
H.R. 250, Manufacturing Technology Competitiveness Act of 2005.
I ask unanimous consent for the authority to recess the
Committee at any point during consideration of these matters.
And without objection, that is so ordered.
We will now proceed with the markup, beginning with opening
statements, and I will launch it.
I want to welcome everyone to this important markup. As
usual, we have before us bills that represent bipartisan
efforts to come up with practical solutions to real problems.
These bills will advance education, protect our Nation and
others from natural disasters, enhance research and
environmental protection, and strengthen our economy. Not bad
for one morning's work.
And I would add that while we are marking up these bills,
we are also working behind the scenes on our portions of the
Homeland Security reauthorization bill that was reported out of
the Homeland Committee last week.
Let me talk briefly now about each of the bills before us
to save time later.
First up is Mr. Forbes' bill to help minority serving
institutions get the information technology equipment they
need. This bill is identical to the version this committee
approved last year, and the bill must also go through the
Education and Workforce Committee. To move the bill forward
swiftly, both sides of the aisle here have agreed to simply
move the bill this morning by unanimous consent.
I think the bill will provide needed assistance to
educational institutions that are essential to our efforts to
develop more scientists and engineers from under-represented
groups. And I think our version of the bill, which places the
program in the Department of Commerce rather than the National
Science Foundation, matches the program with the appropriate
agency for carrying it out.
Our second bill will be the one I have introduced with
Representative Inslee to ensure that the Nation and the world
are better prepared to detect and respond to tsunamis. We all
watched with horror last December as the Indian Ocean tsunami
wreaked its devastation. Much of the death that occurred could
have been avoided.
We have an obligation to learn more about tsunamis through
research, to improve our ability to detect tsunamis and issue
warnings about them, and to improve tsunami preparation and
education so that we can limit damage and know what to do when
the warnings come. This bill will improve research, detection,
and education, and significantly, sets aside a proportion of
appropriated funds for each of these essential activities.
The basis of this bill was the Administration's plan. The
Administration is to be congratulated for its swift,
thoughtful, and comprehensive response to last December's
events. We then built on the Administration's proposal,
following the guidance we received during our January hearing.
As a result, the bill stresses and ensures funding for tsunami
preparation and education. And we also press for tsunami
detection to be integrated as much as possible with other
earth- and ocean-observing systems.
Finally, we will take up Dr. Ehlers' manufacturing bill,
which the House passed last year. I know that, as was the case
last year, we will have some debate over adding to the bill
ideas that may be worthy in themselves, the proposals, but that
would guarantee the demise of the bill. That is something we
don't want to do. I will oppose most of these amendments, which
include authorizing--I don't say all of them, because I haven't
seen all of them. I will oppose most of the amendments, which
include authorizing the Advanced Technology Program, a program
that I have always supported and continue to support. But I
want to make--actually, I want to make progress on the bill in
connection with manufacturing. That is especially important as
we enter the budget season with appropriations likely to be
more constrained than ever.
And let me say at the outset that I don't want the
amendment debate to obscure the broad, bipartisan support for
the base bill, which the House passed last year by voice vote,
no mean achievement given the political debate surrounding
manufacturing last year.
We were going to also do a markup--during the markup this
morning of the NOAA authorization bill, but both we and the
Democrats have brought up significant additional changes to the
bill. We need some more time to talk those through. We will
reschedule the markup of the NOAA bill swiftly, and I would
hope we could do it as early as next week.
So let me close by thanking my colleagues on both sides of
the aisle for their contributions to these bills. As usual, we
have beaten the odds and have worked out sensible, targeted,
bipartisan measures.
Mr. Gordon.
[The prepared statement of Chairman Boehlert follows:]
Prepared Statement of Chairman Sherwood L. Boehlert
I want to welcome everyone to this important markup. As usual, we
have before us bills that represent bipartisan efforts to come up with
practical solutions to real problems. These bills will advance
education, protect our nation and others from natural disasters,
enhance research and environmental protection and strengthen our
economy. Not bad for one morning's work.
And I would add that while we are marking up these bills, we are
also working behind the scenes on our portions of the Homeland Security
reauthorization bill that was reported out of the Homeland Committee
last week.
Let me talk briefly now about each of the bills before us today to
save time later.
First up is Mr. Forbes' bill to help minority serving institutions
get the information technology equipment they need. This bill is
identical to the version this committee approved last year, and the
bill must also go through the Education and Workforce Committee. To
move the bill forward swiftly, both sides of the aisle here have agreed
to simply move the bill this morning by unanimous consent.
I think the bill will provide needed assistance to educational
institutions that are essential to our efforts to develop more
scientists and engineers from under-represented groups. And I think our
version of the bill, which places this program in the Department of
Commerce rather than in the National Science Foundation, matches the
program with the appropriate agency for carrying it out.
Our second bill will be the bill I've introduced with
Representative Inslee to ensure that the Nation and the world are
better prepared to detect and respond to tsunamis. We all watched with
horror last December as the Indian Ocean tsunami wreaked its
devastation. Much of the death could have been avoided.
We have an obligation to learn more about tsunamis through
research, to improve our ability to detect tsunamis and issue warnings
about them, and to improve tsunami preparation and education so that we
can limit damage and know what to do when the warnings come. This bill
will improve research, detection and education and, significantly, sets
aside a proportion of appropriated funds for each of those essential
activities.
The basis of this bill was the Administration's plan. The
Administration is to be congratulated for its swift, thoughtful and
comprehensive response to last December's events. We then built on the
Administration proposal, following the guidance we received in our
January hearing. As a result, the bill stresses and ensures funding for
tsunami preparation and education, and we also press for tsunami
detection to be integrated, as much as possible, with other Earth- and
ocean-observing systems.
Finally, we will take up Dr. Ehlers' manufacturing bill, which the
House passed last year. I know that, as was the case last year, we will
have some debate over adding to the bill ideas that may be worthy in
themselves, but that would guarantee the demise of this bill. I will
oppose those amendments, which include authorizing the Advanced
Technology Program, a program I have always supported and continue to
support. But I want to actually make progress on manufacturing. That's
especially important as we enter the budget season with appropriations
likely to be more constrained than ever.
And let me say at the outset that I don't want the amendment debate
to obscure the broad, bipartisan support for the base bill, which the
House passed last year by voice vote--no mean achievement given the
political debate surrounding manufacturing last year.
We were going to also mark up the NOAA organic act this morning,
but both we and the Democrats have brought up significant additional
changes to the bill. We need some more time to talk those through. We
will reschedule the markup of the NOAA bill swiftly--perhaps as early
as next week.
So let me close by thanking my colleagues on both sides of the
aisle for their contributions to these bills. As usual, we've beaten
the odds and have worked out sensible, targeted, bipartisan measures.
Mr. Gordon.
Mr. Gordon. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Let me first thank you for moving NOAA to a later date so
that we can have a chance--I am sure that this is something
that we can work out. And there is, I think, general agreement
on both the minority and the majority on this bill.
We are also pleased that the Committee is moving forward on
its legislative agenda, and we look forward to continuing to
work on a bipartisan basis on several major bills that we hope
will be before the Committee shortly.
Today, we are addressing three important legislative areas.
We applaud the choice of topics and only question why the
Committee has not chosen to legislate more aggressively in
certain of these areas, especially manufacturing. We support
H.R. 921, the Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless
Technological Opportunity Act. The bill would provide grants to
minority serving institutions for information technology
upgrades and for training faculty and staff to use the
technology effectively in support of their education and
research activities. Minority serving institutions prepare a
growing portion of the future science and technology workforce
of the Nation, and it is important that these colleges and
universities be able to provide a quality education for their
students.
H.R. 250, the Manufacturing Technology Competitiveness Act,
is a start, but we need to make the bill's content live up to
its title. Democratic Members of the Committee, once again,
will be offering amendments to the MEP funding, workforce
training, and technology innovation that would make the bill
much stronger. Even if these pass, we will only have taken the
first steps on one of the biggest problems of our day, and we
hope we will have other opportunities this Congress to deal
with the other aspects of this far-reaching problem.
We are especially pleased that the Committee, in a
bipartisan fashion, has so rapidly developed H.R. 1674, the
United States Tsunami Warning and Education Act. The bill
directs NOAA to expand the current tsunami warning system on
two basins so that all U.S. coastal areas and territories will
be covered by a buoy-based detection and warning system. The
bill also directs NOAA to conduct a community-based tsunami
hazard mitigation program to ensure coastal communities are
prepared to act upon any warning issued by the tsunami warning
centers and establish a tsunami research program. We
enthusiastically support the bill. We feel that the funding
levels for hazard mitigation and education programs are too
low. Mr. Wu's amendment would correct this problem.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
[The prepared statement of Mr. Gordon follows:]
Prepared Statement of Representative Bart Gordon
We are pleased that the Committee is moving forward on its
legislative agenda and we look forward to continuing to work on a
bipartisan basis on several major bills that we hope will be before the
Committee shortly.
Today we are addressing four important legislative areas. We
applaud the choice of topics and only question why the Committee has
not chosen to legislate more aggressively in certain of these areas,
especially manufacturing.
We support H.R. 921, the Minority Serving Institution Digital and
Wireless Technology Opportunity Act. The bill would provide grants to
minority serving institutions for information technology upgrades and
for training faculty and staff to use the technology effectively in
support of their education and research activities. Minority serving
institutions prepare a growing portion of the future science and
technology workforce of the Nation, and it is important that these
colleges and universities be able to provide a quality education for
their students.
H.R. 250, the Manufacturing Technology Competitiveness Act, is a
start but we need to make the bill's contents live up to its title.
Democratic Members of the Committee, once again, will be offering
amendments on MEP funding, workforce training, and technology
innovation that would make the bill much stronger. Even if these pass,
we will only have taken first steps on one of the biggest problems of
our day and we hope we will have other opportunities this Congress to
deal with other aspects of this far-reaching problem.
We are especially pleased that the Committee in a bipartisan
fashion has so rapidly developed H.R. 1674, the United States Tsunami
Warning and Education Act. The bill directs NOAA to expand the current
tsunami warning system to basins so that all U.S. coastal areas and
territories will be covered by a buoy-based detection and warning
system. The bill also directs NOAA to conduct a community-based tsunami
hazard mitigation program to ensure coastal communities are prepared to
act upon any warnings issued by the tsunami warning centers and
establishes a tsunami research program. We enthusiastically support the
bill but feel that the funding levels for hazard mitigation and the
education program are too low. Mr. Wu's amendment would correct this
problem.
Chairman Boehlert. Thank you.
Without objection, Members may place opening statements in
the record at this point.
[The prepared statement of Mr. Ehlers follows:]
Prepared Statement of Representative Vernon J. Ehlers
On December 26, 2004, one of the most devastating tsunamis ever
recorded struck the nations of the Indian Ocean Basin. As people
recovered from the shock of the event, we naturally began to ask
questions such as, ``What can we learn from this to prevent future
disasters?'' In that vein, I joined Chairman Boehlert, Mr. Wu, and Mr.
Inslee to introduce the U.S. Tsunami Warning and Education Act.
H.R. 1674 authorizes $30 million annually for the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration to:
expand tsunami forecast and warning capability for
all U.S. coastlines;
increase emphasis on community-based tsunami
education and outreach activities so that the public knows the
proper response to tsunami warnings;
maintain a tsunami research program; and
provide technical advice and training to the
international community.
The bill is based on the Administration's proposal for a national
tsunami warning system and incorporates comments from many experts,
including witnesses at the Science Committee hearing held in January.
Unfortunately, it has taken a tragic event to bring natural
disaster response planning to our attention today. However, now that
the opportunity is upon us we must act quickly to establish a tsunami
forecast and warning system for the United States, aid other countries
in doing the same, and educate the public to understand and heed the
warnings. Chairman Boehlert developed an excellent bill that moved
quickly through the Subcommittee. I urge my colleagues to support this
bill and pass it from the Full Committee.
[The prepared statement of Ms. Hooley follows:]
Prepared Statement of Representative Darlene Hooley
Thank you Mr. Chairman. I am pleased that we are addressing the
issue of tsunami and how we can better prepare ourselves for these
natural disasters. I appreciate the Chairman's willingness to bring
this issue up before the Committee and I hope that we are able to
produce something that will benefit coastal communities across the
Nation.
The tsunami that struck Southeast Asia last December awoke us all
to the destructive force that oceans can produce. The undersea
earthquake that sent a massive wall of water crashing ashore across
thousands of miles of coastline in the Indian Ocean could have happened
just off the coast of Oregon, Washington, California, Alaska, or Hawaii
and it could have been our coastal communities mourning their dead and
dealing with the lasting destruction.
While I am pleased with many aspects of this bill, I am especially
pleased with the funding that has been earmarked for Tsunami Hazard
Mitigation Programs across the country. I applaud the Chairman's
decision to include an increase in the funding for these programs from
$6 million to $7.8 million as part of his Manager's Amendment. This
January I wrote a letter signed by many of my Pacific Coast colleagues
to the Appropriations Committee asking them to appropriate $7.8 million
for Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Programs. I am pleased that this
legislation recommends this same level of funding and I hope that the
Appropriations Committee follows the recommendations of experts and the
requests made by their colleagues to provide the necessary funding.
I am also happy to see money set aside in this legislation for
continued research on tsunami so that we can better understand and
predict their behavior, hopefully limiting the cost to life and
property that these natural disasters cause. Researchers at Oregon
State University and across the region are already making valuable
contributions to our understanding of tsunami and it is important that
we continue to encourage their work.
The tsunami last winter demonstrated the destructive potential of
tsunami. It is my hope that this legislation is the first step in
limiting the damage that could be done in the United States.
[The prepared statement of Ms. Jackson-Lee follows:]
Prepared Statement of Representative Sheila Jackson-Lee
Mr. Chairman, I want to applaud you and my fellow colleagues Rep.
Inslee, Rep. Ehlers, and Rep. Wu for authoring the U.S. Tsunami Warning
and Education Act. Truly, this is a timely piece of legislation that
should protect our nation from a tsunami disaster that could produce
monumental damage.
This legislation comes after the tragic tsunami disaster that took
place in South Asia. I had the opportunity to travel to Sri Lanka
shortly after the tsunami disaster to survey the damage that had taken
place. Suffice to say that the amount of damage caused by this natural
disaster is beyond our complete comprehension. People lost loved ones,
in many cases losing their entire family, they lost their homes and
businesses, and truly everyone affected by the tsunami disaster will
have the mental trauma of that day for the rest of their lives.
This bill directs NOAA to expand the current tsunami warning system
to cover the Pacific, Atlantic and Caribbean basins so that all U.S.
coastal areas and territories will be covered by a buoy-based detection
and warning system. It is vital that the American people have peace of
mind that we can at least warn them of an impending disaster. There
will be those who claim that the chances of another tsunami disaster
taking place are one in a million, but after seeing the effects of the
tsunami disaster in South Asia, I think even those odds are too great
for us to ignore.
This bill also establishes a tsunami research program and
authorizes NOAA to participate in the International Tsunami Warning
System and to provide technical assistance through international
organizations as part of the international effort to develop and
operate a global tsunami warning network. This legislation also
requires NOAA to operate an International Tsunami Information Center to
improve tsunami preparedness for all Pacific Ocean nations
participating in the international Pacific network. It is vital that we
aid our brothers and sisters abroad and try to protect them from such
natural disasters.
This legislation is vital both for our security and that of the
global community at large. Again, I applaud my colleagues for authoring
this timely piece of legislation, which I hope will pass through the
House without contention. While we could not prevent the South Asian
tsunami disaster, we can work to prevent such future disaster from
having such a devastating impact. This legislation works toward that
goal and it is in that vein that I support it.
Thank you.
Chairman Boehlert. We will now consider H.R. 1674, U.S.
Tsunami Warning and Education Act.
I provided my thoughts on the bill in the opening remarks.
Just let me say that the bill will save lives and property, and
those are two objectives that we strongly support. It will have
a real impact that hopefully we won't see for a long time,
because we hope the world won't have to face another tsunami
any time soon. But we can't know that. That is the point. So I
urge passage of this bill, which will prove essential when we
most need it.
Mr. Gordon.
[The prepared statement of Chairman Boehlert follows:]
Prepared Statement of Chairman Sherwood Boehlert
Tsunami bill
I provided my thoughts on this bill in my opening remarks. Let me
just say that this bill will save lives and property. It will have a
real impact that hopefully we won't see for a long time because we hope
the world won't have to face another tsunami any time soon. But we
can't know that--and that's the point. So I urge passage of this bill
which will prove essential when we most need it.
Tsunami amendment
This is largely a technical amendment. The most significant change
in it is that it provides additional funds for preparation, education
and outreach by altering the proportion of the funding that will go to
that purpose. This change is a result of negotiations with our friends
on the other side of the aisle. I think the amendment makes this an
even more balanced bill. I urge its adoption.
Mr. Gordon. Mr. Chairman, following your lead, I made a
statement concerning this in my opening statement. And let me
just--so I will quickly give a synopsis by saying this is
important legislation. I think that there are some funding
problems that need to be addressed to make it really effective,
but this is a swift action on an important problem. And I thank
you for bringing it up.
[The prepared statement of Mr. Gordon follows:]
Prepared Statement of Representative Bart Gordon
Mr. Chairman, thank you for bringing the Tsunami Warning and
Education Act before the Committee this morning.
This legislation authorizes a comprehensive set of NOAA activities
to ensure we have a warning and detection system operated at the
federal level and a hazard mitigation and education system in place at
the State and local level.
The bill also authorizes funding for research to improve our
knowledge of tsunamis, to develop improved detection and warning
technologies and to develop effective education and outreach tools.
However, passing this authorization bill is only the beginning.
Fortunately, catastrophic tsunamis are rare events. But it is
exactly this characteristic that can lead us to neglect this system
once it is installed and the memory of this past catastrophic event in
Indonesia fades.
If we are going to maintain the safety of our coastline, we need to
maintain the detection and warning system we are authorizing today. We
need to maintain State and local education, outreach, and emergency
preparedness programs so that all citizens are prepared to respond if
an event occurs.
Maintenance of a fully functioning program requires ongoing
oversight and support by the Congress and the Administration. This will
remain a significant challenge in these times of tight budgets.
I thank the Chairman and my colleagues, Rep. Wu, Rep. Hooley, and
Rep. Baird for their work on this issue and I encourage all of my
colleagues to support this legislation.
Chairman Boehlert. I ask unanimous consent that the bill is
considered as read and open to amendment at any point and that
Members proceed with the amendments in the order of the roster.
Without objection, so ordered.
The first amendment on the roster is a manager's amendment
offered by the Chair.
This is largely a technical amendment. It has been cleared
with the minority. The most significant change in it is that it
provides additional funds for preparation, education, and
outreach by altering the proportion of funding that will go to
that purpose. This change is the result of negotiations with
our friends and colleagues on the other side of the aisle. I
think the amendment makes this an even more balanced bill, and
I thank the minority for their contribution, and I urge its
adoption.
Mr. Gordon.
Mr. Gordon. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Boehlert. I have got--I am told--I have an
amendment at the desk, and the Clerk will report the amendment.
Ms. Tessieri. Amendment to H.R. 1674 offered by Mr.
Boehlert of New York.
Chairman Boehlert. Thank you. I ask unanimous consent to
dispense with the reading and that the amendment is considered
as en bloc. Without objection--or Mr. Gordon.
Mr. Gordon. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.
Chairman Boehlert. You are recognized for five minutes.
Mr. Gordon. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank you for working
with us on this amendment. The amendment incorporates
amendments offered by our colleagues, Mr. Wu, Representative
Hooley, and Representative Baird, to address a number of issues
raised by the Pacific Coastal States. We want to continue to
work with you on this bill as it moves forward, and I urge my
colleagues to support the amendment to the legislation.
Mr. Wu. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.
Chairman Boehlert. The gentleman is recognized.
Mr. Wu. I want to thank the staff on both sides, the
Chairman, and the Ranking Member for working on a good,
bipartisan tsunami warning and education bill. And I want to
thank everyone on the Committee and also the staff for
increasing that component of the bill, which will truly benefit
Americans, and that is the education and mitigation part of the
bill. The other parts of the bill are very, very important, but
if we have a near-shore event, near-shore earthquake, the only
part of the bill that will truly benefit Americans is the $7.8
million which is being spent on education and mitigation, and I
want to express my appreciation to the Chairman for working
with us to increase this amount from $1 million to $7.8
million. I wish that we could increase that amount even
further, but even the most optimistic of us have to bow to some
realities, some very harsh realities, in the current fiscal
environment. And I also want to recognize the very hard work of
my colleagues, Mr. Baird, and Ms. Hooley, also from the Pacific
Northwest.
And again, I want to thank the Chairman, the Ranking
Member, and the Committee staff on both sides for working to
improve this bill.
And I yield back.
Chairman Boehlert. Thank you very much.
And I wish to acknowledge--the Chair wishes to acknowledge
your significant contribution to the overall quality and
quantity of the final bill.
Is there any further discussion on the amendment? If no,
the vote occurs on the amendment. All in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no. The ayes have it, and the amendment is agreed to.
Now Mr. Wu, do you have an amendment you would like to
offer at this point? Was that incorporated into the manager's
amendment?
Mr. Wu. Mr. Chairman, I do have an amendment, which is not
in the manager's amendment, and----
Chairman Boehlert. Okay. The Clerk will report the
amendment.
Ms. Tessieri. Amendment to H.R. 1674 offered by Mr. Wu of
Oregon.
Chairman Boehlert. I ask unanimous consent to dispense with
the reading. Without objection, so ordered.
The gentleman is recognized for five minutes.
Mr. Wu. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
My amendment would require the Administrator to make an
assessment of the potential for expanded communications options
to improve systems for tsunami and other hazard warning
systems. Oregon has been evaluating new communication systems
to ensure that coastal communities receive warnings,
advisories, and alerts issued by NOAA along with information on
evacuation plans through multiple communication devices, which
are also redundant and secure.
A company in my District has begun providing this service
to several coastal communities, and there are several consortia
working on this. I understand this amendment may cause some
jurisdictional issues for this committee, and I want to offer
to work with the Chairman to--if the Chairman will work with me
on some report language to address the need to evaluate a
general communication systems and needs and secure systems for
doing so.
Chairman Boehlert. You have that commitment from the Chair,
Mr. Wu.
Mr. Wu. I ask unanimous consent to withdraw the amendment.
Chairman Boehlert. Without objection, so ordered.
Are there any other amendments? Hearing none, the vote is
on the bill H.R. 1674, U.S. Tsunami Warning and Education Act,
as amendment. All in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. In the
opinion of the Chair, the ayes have it.
I recognize Mr. Gordon to offer a motion.
Mr. Gordon. Mr. Chairman, I move that the Committee
favorably report H.R. 1674, as amended, to the House with the
recommendation that the bill, as amended, do pass. Furthermore,
I move that the staff be instructed to prepare the legislative
report and make necessary technical and conforming changes, and
that the Chairman take all necessary steps to bring the bill
before the House for consideration.
Chairman Boehlert. The question is on the motion to report
the bill favorably. Those in favor of the motion will signify
by saying aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it, and the bill is
favorably reported.
Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid upon
the table. I move that Members have two subsequent calendar
days in which to submit supplemental, minority, or additional
views on the measure. I move pursuant to Clause 1 of Rule 22 of
the Rules of the House of Representatives that the Committee
authorizes the Chairman to offer such motions as may be
necessary in the House to adopt and pass H.R. 1674, U.S.
Tsunami Warning and Education Act, as amended. Without
objection, so ordered.
I want to thank the Members for their attendance and for
their continued active participation in the deliberations of
this committee.
We are adjourned.
[Whereupon, at 11:31 a.m., the Committee was adjourned.]
Appendix:
----------
Subcommittee on Environment, Technology, and Standards Markup
Memorandum on H.R. 1674, H.R. 1674 as reported by the Subcommittee,
Section-by-Section Analysis, Amendment Roster
Section-by-Section Analysis of H.R. 1674,
United States Tsunami Warning and Education Act
Section 1. Short Title.
United States Tsunami Warning and Education Act
Section 2. Purposes.
Describes the purposes of the Act: (1) to improve tsunami
detection, forecasting, warnings, notification, preparedness and
mitigation both in the U.S. and around the world; (2) to enhance and
modernize the existing Pacific tsunami warning system and to expand
detection and warning systems to the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and
Gulf of Mexico; (3) to improve tsunami mapping, modeling, research and
assessment efforts; (4) to improve and increase education and outreach
activities; (5) to provide technical and other assistance to
international efforts to establish regional tsunami warning systems in
vulnerable areas worldwide, including the Indian Ocean region; and (6)
to improve federal, State, and international coordination for tsunami
and other coastal hazard warnings and preparedness.
Section 3. Tsunami Forecasting and Warning Program.
Requires NOAA to operate a program to provide tsunami forecasting
and warnings for the Pacific Ocean region, and for the Atlantic Ocean,
Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico regions.
The components of the program shall include: tsunami warning
centers; forecasting capabilities, based on measurements, models and
maps; a cooperative effort among NOAA, USGS, and NSF to provide seismic
information; and the capability for the rapid and reliable
dissemination of tsunami warnings to States and communities.
Directs the National Weather Service to develop requirements for
the equipment used to forecast tsunamis, including how the equipment
will be integrated into other United States and global environmental
observing systems and a plan for the transfer of technology from
research into operations. Requires the National Weather Service to
submit reports to Congress on how it will integrate the equipment and
on the technology transfer plan. Also requires the National Weather
Service to notify Congress when tsunami forecasting capabilities are
impaired for more than three months due to equipment or contractor
problems.
Requires the Administrator to enter into an arrangement with the
National Academy of Sciences to evaluate and provide recommendation on
how to improve NOAA's tsunami detection, forecast and warning
activities.
Section 4. Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program.
Directs the National Weather Service to conduct a community-based
tsunami hazard mitigation program to improve tsunami preparedness of
at-risk areas. Establishes a coordinating committee of federal and
State officials, which shall: develop a plan for ensuring wide
participation in the program; determine how funds will be allocated;
and provide recommendations to increase resiliency of vulnerable
communities. Specifically, the program will: use NOAA models and maps
to assess vulnerable areas; promote and improve community outreach and
education networks; and integrate tsunami preparedness and mitigation
programs into ongoing hazard warnings and planning.
Section 5. Tsunami Research Program.
Requires NOAA to establish a tsunami research program to develop
detection, forecasting, communication and mitigation tools and
technologies. Directs the program to work with the National Weather
Service on ways to transfer the research into operations.
Section 6. Global Tsunami Warning and Mitigation Network.
Directs NOAA to provide technical assistance and training to the
international community toward the development of a fully functional
global tsunami forecast and warning system. Establishes the
International Tsunami Information Center to provide information and
advice to nations around the world to improve tsunami preparedness.
Section 7. Authorization of Appropriations.
Provides $30 million for each of fiscal years 2006-2008 to carry
out the act. Specifies that of any funds appropriated for activities
under this act, 70 percent should be used for the tsunami forecast and
warning systems under section three and section six, 20 percent should
be used for the tsunami hazard mitigation program under section four,
and 10 percent should be for the tsunami research program under section
five.