Tsunami Warning and Education Act
PL 109-424 (H.R.1674), enacted 12/20/2006

120 STAT. 2902
PUBLIC LAW 109–424—DEC. 20, 2006
Public Law 109–424
109th Congress
An Act
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.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Tsunami Warning and Education
Act’’.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) The term ‘‘Administration’’ means the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration.
(2) The term ‘‘Administrator’’ means the Administrator of
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
SEC. 3. PURPOSES.
The purposes of this Act are—
(1) to improve tsunami detection, forecasting, warnings,
notification, outreach, and mitigation to protect life and prop-
erty 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 vulner-
able States and United States territories, including the Atlantic
Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico areas;
(3) to improve mapping, modeling, research, and assess-
ment efforts to improve tsunami detection, forecasting,
warnings, notification, outreach, mitigation, response, and
recovery;
(4) to improve and increase education and outreach activi-
ties 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 inter-
national efforts to establish regional tsunami warning systems
in vulnerable areas worldwide, including the Indian Ocean;
and
(6) to improve Federal, State, and international coordina-
tion for detection, warnings, and outreach for tsunami and
other coastal impacts.
33 USC 3202.
33 USC 3201.
33 USC 3201
note.
Tsunami
Warning and
Education Act.
Dec. 20, 2006
[H.R. 1674]
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120 STAT. 2903
PUBLIC LAW 109–424—DEC. 20, 2006
SEC. 4. TSUNAMI FORECASTING AND WARNING PROGRAM.
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator, through the National
Weather Service and in consultation with other relevant Adminis-
tration offices, shall operate a program to provide tsunami detection,
forecasting, and warnings for the Pacific and Arctic Ocean regions
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) utilize and maintain an array of robust tsunami detec-
tion technologies;
(3) maintain detection equipment in operational condition
to fulfill the detection, forecasting, and warning requirements
of this Act;
(4) 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;
(5) maintain data quality and management systems to
support the requirements of the program;
(6) include a cooperative effort among the 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 Administration from international
and domestic seismic networks;
(7) 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,
including utilization of and coordination with existing Federal
warning 
systems, 
including 
the 
National 
Oceanic 
and
Atmospheric Administration Weather Radio All Hazards Pro-
gram;
(8) allow, as practicable, for integration of tsunami detec-
tion technologies with other environmental observing tech-
nologies; and
(9) 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
tsunami anywhere in the Pacific and Arctic Ocean regions
and providing adequate warnings; and
(2) an Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico
tsunami warning system capable of forecasting tsunami 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 tsunami for States along
the coastal areas of the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea,
or Gulf of Mexico.
(d) TSUNAMI WARNING CENTERS.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator, through the National
Weather Service, shall maintain or establish—
Establishment.
33 USC 3203.
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120 STAT. 2904
PUBLIC LAW 109–424—DEC. 20, 2006
(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 deter-
mined 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 tsunami;
(C) evaluating deep ocean buoy data and tidal moni-
toring stations for indications of tsunami resulting from
earthquakes and other sources;
(D) disseminating forecasts and tsunami warning bul-
letins to Federal, State, and local government officials and
the public;
(E) coordinating with the tsunami hazard mitigation
program described in section 5 to ensure ongoing sharing
of information between forecasters and emergency manage-
ment officials; and
(F) making data gathered under this Act and post-
warning analyses conducted by the National Weather
Service or other relevant Administration offices available
to researchers.
(e) TRANSFER OF TECHNOLOGY; MAINTENANCE AND UPGRADES.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out this section, the National
Weather Service, in consultation with other relevant Adminis-
tration offices, shall—
(A) develop requirements for the equipment used to
forecast tsunami, which shall include provisions for multi-
purpose 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;
(B) develop and execute a plan for the transfer of
technology from ongoing research described in section 6
into the program under this section; and
(C) ensure that maintaining operational tsunami detec-
tion equipment is the highest priority within the program
carried out under this Act.
(2) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—
(A) Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment
of this Act, the National Weather Service, in consultation
with other relevant Administration offices, 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
of this Act, the National Weather Service, in consultation
with other relevant Administration offices, shall transmit
a report to Congress on how technology developed under
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120 STAT. 2905
PUBLIC LAW 109–424—DEC. 20, 2006
section 6 is being transferred into the program under this
section.
(f) FEDERAL COOPERATION.—When deploying and maintaining
tsunami detection technologies, the Administrator shall seek the
assistance and assets of other appropriate Federal agencies.
(g) ANNUAL EQUIPMENT CERTIFICATION.—At the same time Con-
gress receives the budget justification documents in support of
the President’s annual budget request for each fiscal year, the
Administrator shall transmit to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on
Science of the House of Representatives a certification that—
(1) identifies the tsunami detection equipment deployed
pursuant to this Act, as of December 31 of the preceding cal-
endar year;
(2) certifies which equipment is operational as of December
31 of the preceding calendar year;
(3) in the case of any piece of such equipment that is
not operational as of such date, identifies that equipment and
describes the mitigation strategy that is in place—
(A) to repair or replace that piece of equipment within
a reasonable period of time; or
(B) to otherwise ensure adequate tsunami detection
coverage;
(4) identifies any equipment that is being developed or
constructed to carry out this Act but which has not yet been
deployed, if the Administration has entered into a contract
for that equipment prior to December 31 of the preceding
calendar year, and provides a schedule for the deployment
of that equipment; and
(5) certifies that the Administrator expects the equipment
described in paragraph (4) to meet the requirements, cost,
and schedule provided in that contract.
(h) CONGRESSIONAL NOTIFICATIONS.—The Administrator shall
notify the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
of the Senate and the Committee on Science of the House of Rep-
resentatives within 30 days of—
(1) impaired regional forecasting capabilities due to equip-
ment or system failures; and
(2) significant contractor failures or delays in completing
work associated with the tsunami forecasting and warning
system.
(i) REPORT.—Not later than January 31, 2010, the Comptroller
General of the United States shall transmit a report to the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate
and the Committee on Science of the House of Representatives
that—
(1) evaluates the current status of the tsunami detection,
forecasting, and warning system and the tsunami hazard miti-
gation program established under this Act, including progress
toward tsunami inundation mapping of all coastal areas vulner-
able to tsunami and whether there has been any degradation
of services as a result of the expansion of the program;
(2) evaluates the National Weather Service’s ability to
achieve continued improvements in the delivery of tsunami
detection, forecasting, and warning services by assessing poli-
cies and plans for the evolution of modernization systems,
Deadline.
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120 STAT. 2906
PUBLIC LAW 109–424—DEC. 20, 2006
models, and computational abilities (including the adoption of
new technologies); and
(3) lists the contributions of funding or other resources
to the program by other Federal agencies, particularly agencies
participating in the program.
(j) EXTERNAL REVIEW.—The Administrator shall enter into an
arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences to review
the tsunami detection, forecast, and warning program established
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 enact-
ment of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit a report con-
taining 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 imple-
menting all the Academy’s recommendations, to the Committee
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the
Committee on Science of the House of Representatives.
(k) REPORT.—Not later than 3 months after the date of enact-
ment of this Act, the Administrator shall establish a process for
monitoring and certifying contractor performance in carrying out
the requirements of any contract to construct or deploy tsunami
detection equipment, including procedures and penalties to be
imposed in cases of significant contractor failure or negligence.
SEC. 5. NATIONAL TSUNAMI HAZARD MITIGATION PROGRAM.
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator, through the National
Weather Service and in consultation with other relevant Adminis-
tration offices, shall conduct a community-based tsunami hazard
mitigation program to improve tsunami preparedness of at-risk
areas in the United States and its territories.
(b) COORDINATING COMMITTEE.—In conducting the program
under this section, the Administrator shall establish a coordinating
committee comprising representatives of Federal, State, local, and
tribal government officials. The Administrator may establish sub-
committees 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 4(c) in the United
States and its territories can have the opportunity to participate
in the program;
(3) provide recommendations to the National Weather
Service on how to improve the TsunamiReady program, particu-
larly on ways to make communities more tsunami resilient
through the use of inundation maps and other mitigation prac-
tices; and
(4) ensure that all components of the program are
integrated with ongoing hazard warning and risk management
activities, emergency response plans, and mitigation programs
in affected areas, including integrating information to assist
in tsunami evacuation route planning.
Establishment.
33 USC 3204.
Deadline.
Reports.
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120 STAT. 2907
PUBLIC LAW 109–424—DEC. 20, 2006
(c) PROGRAM COMPONENTS.—The program under this section
shall—
(1) use inundation models that meet a standard of accuracy
defined by the 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 edu-
cation networks and programs to ensure community readiness,
including the development of comprehensive coastal risk and
vulnerability assessment training and decision support tools,
implementation of technical training and public education pro-
grams, and providing for certification of prepared communities;
(3) integrate tsunami preparedness and mitigation pro-
grams into ongoing hazard warning and risk management
activities, emergency response plans, and mitigation programs
in affected areas, including integrating information to assist
in tsunami evacuation route planning;
(4) promote the adoption of tsunami warning and mitiga-
tion 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.
(d) SAVINGS CLAUSE.—Nothing in this section shall be construed
to require a change in the chair of any existing tsunami hazard
mitigation program subcommittee.
SEC. 6. TSUNAMI RESEARCH PROGRAM.
The Administrator shall, in consultation with other agencies
and academic institutions, and with the coordinating committee
established under section 5(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 collec-
tion, analysis, and assessment for tsunami tracking and numerical
forecast modeling. Such research program shall—
(1) consider other appropriate research to mitigate the
impact of tsunami;
(2) coordinate with the National Weather Service on tech-
nology 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. 7. GLOBAL TSUNAMI WARNING AND MITIGATION NETWORK.
(a) INTERNATIONAL TSUNAMI WARNING SYSTEM.—The Adminis-
trator, through the National Weather Service and in consultation
with other relevant Administration offices, 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 Oceano-
graphic 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.
33 USC 3206.
33 USC 3205.
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120 STAT. 2908
PUBLIC LAW 109–424—DEC. 20, 2006
(b) INTERNATIONAL
TSUNAMI
INFORMATION
CENTER.—The
Administrator, through the National Weather Service and in con-
sultation with other relevant Administration offices, 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
may also provide such assistance to other nations participating
in a global tsunami warning system established through the Inter-
governmental Oceanographic Commission. As part of its responsibil-
ities 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 tech-
nologies for tsunami warning systems;
(3) maintain a library of materials to promulgate knowledge
about tsunami in general and for use by the scientific commu-
nity; and
(4) disseminate information, including educational mate-
rials 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;
(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; and
(3) shall provide technical and other assistance to support
international tsunami programs.
(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 encour-
age all nations to support full and open exchange of data.
SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator
to carry out this Act—
(1) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2008, of which—
(A) not less than 27 percent of the amount appropriated
shall be for the tsunami hazard mitigation program under
section 5; and
(B) not less than 8 percent of the amount appropriated
shall be for the tsunami research program under section
6;
(2) $26,000,000 for fiscal year 2009, of which—
(A) not less than 27 percent of the amount appropriated
shall be for the tsunami hazard mitigation program under
section 5; and
(B) not less than 8 percent of the amount appropriated
shall be for the tsunami research program under section
6;
(3) $27,000,000 for fiscal year 2010, of which—
33 USC 3207.
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120 STAT. 2909
PUBLIC LAW 109–424—DEC. 20, 2006
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 1674 (S. 50):
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 109–698 (Comm. on Science).
SENATE REPORTS: No. 109–59 accompanying S. 50 (Comm. on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation).
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 152 (2006):
Dec. 6, considered and passed House.
Dec. 8, considered and passed Senate.
(A) not less than 27 percent of the amount appropriated
shall be for the tsunami hazard mitigation program under
section 5; and
(B) not less than 8 percent of the amount appropriated
shall be for the tsunami research program under section
6;
(4) $28,000,000 for fiscal year 2011, of which—
(A) not less than 27 percent of the amount appropriated
shall be for the tsunami hazard mitigation program under
section 5; and
(B) not less than 8 percent of the amount appropriated
shall be for the tsunami research program under section
6; and
(5) $29,000,000 for fiscal year 2012, of which—
(A) not less than 27 percent of the amount appropriated
shall be for the tsunami hazard mitigation program under
section 5; and
(B) not less than 8 percent of the amount appropriated
shall be for the tsunami research program under section
6.
Approved December 20, 2006.
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