49–006 

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 Reported .......... 10 

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 


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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.—


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(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 communityVerDate Aug 31 2005 04:46 Oct 05, 2006 Jkt 049006 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6621 E:\HR\OC\HR698.XXX HR698

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based tsunami hazard mitigation program to improve tsunami preparedness of atrisk 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 multihazard 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; 


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(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 tsuVerDate Aug 31 2005 04:46 Oct 05, 2006 Jkt 049006 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR698.XXX HR698

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nami. 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 


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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, LamontDoherty 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 earthVerDate Aug 31 2005 04:46 Oct 05, 2006 Jkt 049006 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR698.XXX HR698

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quake 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: 


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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 


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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 


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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 ComVerDate Aug 31 2005 04:46 Oct 05, 2006 Jkt 049006 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR698.XXX HR698

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mittee 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 tidegauge 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 


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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 


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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 


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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. 


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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. 


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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. 


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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. 


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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 


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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 endto-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. 


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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.] 


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Appendix: 

H.R. 1674, SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS


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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 


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under section four, and 10 percent should be for the tsunami research program 

under section five. 


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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 


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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:] 


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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 


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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 farreaching 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 


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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 


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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:] 


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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. 


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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, nearshore 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. 


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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.] 


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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


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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 


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under section four, and 10 percent should be for the tsunami research program 

under section five. 


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