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Issues

Tsunami Detection

Tsunami Warning System Legislation Passes House Science Committee

4 May 2005

The House Science Committee passed legislation today sponsored by U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee (D-WA) and Committee Chairman Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY) to improve both domestic and international tsunami detection, forecasting, warning and preparedness efforts through increased education, research and detection systems.  The United States Tsunami Warning and Education Act, H.R. 1674, was reported out of the Committee by a voice vote and is expected to be voted upon by the full House of Representatives soon.

Said Inslee, "This bill will go a long way towards helping America and the international community detect and prepare for future tsunamis.  We have the science and technology in Washington State to deploy more warning devices throughout our oceans at a minimal cost.  A robust system that combines detection with education is an effective approach to mitigating the effects of future tsunamis.  This legislation will significantly improve our ability to react to and alert people about potential tsunamis.  I commend Chairman Boehlert for his thoughtful and comprehensive approach in creating a bill to address future tsunami threats."

"We all watched in horror last December as the Indian Ocean tsunami wreaked its devastation.  Much of the death could have been avoided," Boehlert said.  "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."

Inslee has been briefed about tsunami warning technology by local tsunami-expert Dr. Eddie Bernard from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory in Seattle.  The Laboratory has pioneered the research and deployment of the existing tsunami detection system.  In addition, Redmond-based Paroscientific manufactures the pressure transducers with which NOAA's tsunami warning buoys are equipped. 

Of particular importance to Washington State, the legislation will increase funding for NOAA research into tsunami detection, and will require NOAA to notify Congress when a part of the tsunami system malfunctions.  Three of the six buoys off the West Coast of the United States were inoperable for parts of the past year, yet the public was not made aware of this until after the tsunami disaster in Southeast Asia.  The bill will also provide dedicated funding for federal and state coordination on tsunami awareness and preparedness programs, which will affect communities along the Washington State coastline.

The legislation is based on the tsunami forecast and warning plan proposed by the Administration in January and reflects expert testimony received at a January 26 Science Committee hearing on U.S. tsunami preparedness.  Similar to the Administration's proposal, H.R. 1674 would strengthen the existing tsunami forecast and warning system in the Pacific and expand it to cover the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico.  But the Boehlert-Inslee bill would also add dedicated funding and greater emphasis on community outreach and education programs.  The legislation provides $26 million for FY2006, and $30 million for the two years thereafter to NOAA for tsunami detection and warning systems, as well as dedicated funding for research, education and hazard mitigation programs.  The bill also directs NOAA to provide technical assistance and training on the development of a global tsunami detection and warning network, especially in the Indian Ocean Region.  

Highlights of the United States Tsunami Warning and Education Act, HR 1674:

• Expands tsunami forecast and warning capability for all U.S. coastlines: The bill allows NOAA the flexibility to determine the proper mix of detection equipment (buoys, tidal gauges, etc.), but it requires that the components gather more than just tsunami data and that they be integrated with other ocean observing systems.
• Requires NOAA to notify Congress within a sufficient amount of time if any part of the detection or warning system malfunctions: During the December 26th Indian Ocean Tsunami, three of the six NOAA special detection buoys, including some off the Washington State coast, were not working; one had been inoperable for fifteen months.
• Increases emphasis on tsunami education and outreach activities: Inslee and Boehlert heard from many experts that education and outreach activities are important to saving lives. The bill creates a federal/state partnership program to improve community awareness and preparedness for tsunamis. States would help decide which activities would be funded, such as inundation maps, evacuation plans and warning sirens.
• Requires NOAA to have a dedicated tsunami research program: The program will improve our abilities to detect, forecast, and mitigate for tsunami threats with specific research on new buoys, modeling and mapping.
• Directs NOAA to provide technical advice and training to the international community: As the United States works toward the goal of a global tsunami detection and warning system, NOAA will provide guidance on detection equipment, identifying and mapping vulnerable coastal areas and developing communication technologies to provide quick and reliable warnings to vulnerable communities.
• Calls on the National Academy of Sciences to review NOAA's tsunami programs: The goal of this provision is to have outside experts evaluate NOAA's efforts and provide recommendations to improve the programs.

U.S. Rep Jay Inslee