February 1, 2005
The Honorable Ted Stevens
Chairman, Committee on
Commerce, Science
and Transportation
Dear Mr. Chairman:
This letter provides you with
the Department of Commerce’s views on S. 50, the “Tsunami Preparedness Act”. The recent catastrophic event in the
While the Department supports
the Committee’s legislative intent to address tsunamis through the
authorization process, we are concerned that the specificity in the proposed bill
could unintentionally limit NOAA’s ability to effectively
manage these programs. Our major concerns
are with sections 3(b), which could restrict NOAA’s
ability to apply new technologies and techniques, and 3(d)(4), 3(e), 4(c)(6), 6(a)(1),
6(b) and 7(c), which seek to restrict the authority of NOAA and the
Administrator, and which would impair NOAA’s ability
to manage its own resources and priorities.
Further, we are concerned that S. 50 does not vest authorities in the
Secretary of Commerce, who is responsible for all Department of Commerce
programs.
Finally, the Department
requests that all funding authorized for this purpose be consistent with the amounts
contained in the Administration’s proposal for strengthening the U.S. Tsunami
Warning System, which was released on January 14, 2005. The Department of Commerce appreciates the
opportunity to present views on S. 50 and looks forward to working with you to
ensure NOAA has the necessary authorities to respond effectively to all natural
hazards, including tsunamis.
The Office of Management and Budget has advised that
there is no objection to the transmittal of these views from the standpoint of
the Administration’s program.
Sincerely,
Jane T. Dana
Acting General Counsel
cc: The
Honorable Daniel K. Inouye