Sec. 313. Earthquake and Tsunami Interagency Task Force
979 words·~4 min read·
/bill/114/hr/1471/eh/section-313A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
The President shall establish a Federal Interagency Task Force for the purpose of developing a comprehensive strategy and recommendations on how the Nation should prepare and plan for, mitigate against, respond to, recover from, and more successfully adapt to an earthquake, tsunami, or a combined earthquake and tsunami event in the Cascadia Subduction Zone, including identifying potential administrative or legislative changes required to implement the strategy, the funding required to implement the strategy and recommendations, and the priority in which the strategy should be implemented.
The Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or his designee, shall serve as the chairperson of the Task Force. The membership of the Task Force shall include a cross section of subject matter experts representing the following: Relevant Federal agencies. The States of Oregon, Washington, and California. Indian tribes, local governments, and private sector representatives that may be impacted by a mega-thrust earthquake, tsunami, or a combined earthquake and tsunami event in the Cascadia Subduction Zone.
Universities, academia, and research institutions with expertise in topics relevant to the work of the Task Force. Members of the Task Force may detail employees to assist the Administrator, or his designee, in fulfilling the responsibilities of the Task Force. The term Cascadia Subduction Zone means the approximately 684 miles long landward-dipping fault that separates the Juan de Fuca and North America plates and that stretches along a portion of the western coast of the United States beginning off Cape Mendocino, California, along the State of Oregon, the State of Washington, to Northern Vancouver Island, British Columbia.
The comprehensive strategy, which may build upon existing plans, studies, or other resources, shall include the following: Define how Federal agencies will coordinate to develop the ability to prepare and plan for, mitigate against, respond to, recover from, and more successfully adapt to the impacts of a mega-thrust earthquake, tsunami, or a combined earthquake and tsunami event in the Cascadia Subduction Zone. Ensure collaboration between the Department of Transportation, the Department of Energy, the United States Coast Guard, the United States Army Corps of Engineers, and other Federal agencies as appropriate to complete a needs assessment of Federal facilities in need of hardening for an event and develop a strategic plan to mitigate and retrofit Federal, State, tribal, and local critical assets for freight, energy, and transit purposes to withstand an event and to help save lives during and immediately after an event.
Assist State, tribal, and local governments in developing and implementing a coordinated and comprehensive plan to prioritize Federal, State, tribal, local, and private investments and activities to develop the ability to prepare and plan for, mitigate against, respond to, recover from, and more successfully adapt to the impacts of a mega-thrust earthquake, tsunami, or a combined earthquake and tsunami event in the Cascadia Subduction Zone, and to link to any existing State-wide mitigation plan, including examining the feasibility of the public and private sector and individuals to acquire earthquake insurance.
Identify existing funding opportunities across Federal agencies and other sources to implement the comprehensive strategy and any recommendations made by the Task Force and make recommendations for new funding opportunities. Identify barriers to obtaining funding and implementing the comprehensive strategy and to develop recommendations on how to remove such barriers. Collaborate with and assist State, tribal, and local governments in developing recommendations for cost-effective mitigation alternatives for aging State, tribal, or locally owned critical infrastructure.
Assist State, tribal, and local governments with developing a recovery plan prior to an earthquake, tsunami, or combined earthquake and tsunami event in the Cascadia Subduction Zone as to how State, tribal, and local governments may want to rebuild after the event; Identify steps taken to date to develop an onshore and offshore earthquake early warning system and define the purpose and scope of an onshore and offshore earthquake early warning system. Evaluate types of offshore earthquake early warning systems and provide recommendations and a cost estimate for an earthquake early warning system appropriate for the Cascadia Subduction Zone.
Make recommendations about how an earthquake early warning system should operate, including whether and how a system should interface with the private sector. Define appropriate roles and responsibilities for Federal, State, local, and tribal governments, including who should operate and maintain an earthquake early warning system, the cost of a system, and possible funding sources for a system. Develop a plan on how to integrate an earthquake early warning system into existing and new public alert warning systems and technologies, including mobile systems.
The Task Force shall work simultaneously and collaboratively with the National Academies. The Task Force shall enter into an agreement with the National Academies under which the National Academies shall develop recommendations for a Federal research strategy to advance scientific understanding of a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake and resulting tsunami preparedness, including the following: Geologic conditions, ground motions, and tsunami hazard. Implications of an effective automated early warning system.
Effects of mega-earthquake and tsunami events on the built and natural environment. Social and behavioral factors for effective disaster preparedness and response. Cost-effective mitigation alternatives for legacy and aging infrastructure. Strategic planning for freight, energy, and transit network robustness. Tools that help communities invest its resources for the greatest benefit. Any other topics identified as necessary by the Task Force or the National Academies. Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs of the Senate a report of the Task Force that provides the following:
The comprehensive strategy identified in subsection (f). Recommendations on administrative actions that may be taken to further the strategy. Recommendations for legislative changes that may be necessary to further the strategy. Recommendations on funding necessary to carry out the strategy.