A national plan for streamgages was developed in 1998 in response to a Congressional request, and increased funding for FY 2000 and 2001 has allowed us to build or reactivate a total of 100 gages needed for flood forecasting and upgrade more than 180 other stations in various ways. Although I ve focused on the USGS role in this presentation, it is clear that we cannot do it alone. Because the problem of natural hazards is so complex, solutions need to involve many perspectives, many partners. I ve mentioned some of our partners already. FEMA and the National Weather Service are two of the most significant with respect to our hazards work, but there are many, many more, including partners at the State and local level, in universities, in private-sector organizations like those here who are providing such strong support to the caucus through its working group.
Much work remains to be done.
We look forward to continuing advances in national awareness of these issues, under your leadership.