[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1675 Reported in House (RH)]
<DOC>
Union Calendar No. 859
115th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 1675
[Report No. 115-1035, Part I]
To establish a national program to identify and reduce losses from
landslide hazards, to establish a national 3D Elevation Program, and
for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 22, 2017
Ms. DelBene (for herself, Ms. Bonamici, Mr. Cartwright, Ms. Lee, Ms.
Norton, Mr. Smith of Washington, Mr. Kilmer, Mr. Heck, and Mr.
Grijalva) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently
determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such
provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
November 16, 2018
Reported from the Committee on Natural Resources with an amendment
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed
in italic]
November 16, 2018
Referral to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology extended
for a period ending not later than December 28, 2018
December 28, 2018
Additional sponsors: Mr. Polis, Mr. Tipton, and Mrs. Torres
December 28, 2018
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology discharged; committed to
the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered
to be printed
[For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on March
22, 2017]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish a national program to identify and reduce losses from
landslide hazards, to establish a national 3D Elevation Program, 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 ``National Landslide Preparedness
Act''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) 3D.--The term ``3D'' means 3-dimensional.
(2) 3D elevation data.--
(A) In general.--The term ``3D elevation data''
means 3D, high-resolution data obtained using lidar,
ifsar, or other methods over the United States
(including territories).
(B) Inclusions.--The term ``3D elevation data''
includes terrestrial and bathymetric elevation data.
(3) 3D elevation program.--The term ``3D Elevation
Program'' means the 3D Elevation Program established under
section 5(a).
(4) Ifsar.--The term ``ifsar'' means interferometric
synthetic aperture radar.
(5) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian tribe'' has the
meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
(6) Lidar.--The term ``lidar'' means light detection and
ranging.
(7) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior, acting through the Director of the United
States Geological Survey.
(8) State.--The term ``State'' means any unit of State or
Territorial government handling the identification, mapping,
assessment, and research of landslide hazards or responding to
landslide events, including--
(A) a State geological survey office;
(B) a State department of emergency response; and
(C) a State department of transportation.
SEC. 3. NATIONAL LANDSLIDE HAZARDS REDUCTION PROGRAM.
(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a program, to be
known as the ``National Landslide Hazards Reduction Program'' (referred
to in this section as the ``program'')--
(1) to identify and understand landslide hazards and risks;
(2) to reduce losses from landslides;
(3) to protect communities at risk of landslide hazards;
and
(4) to help improve communication and emergency
preparedness, including by coordinating with communities and
entities responsible for infrastructure that are at risk of
landslide hazards.
(b) Description of Program.--
(1) Program activities.--The Secretary, in coordination
with the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Landslide
Hazards established by subsection (c)(1) (referred to in this
section as the ``Committee'') and in coordination with existing
activities of the United States Geological Survey and other
Federal agencies, shall--
(A) identify, map, assess, and research landslide
hazards;
(B) respond to landslide events; and
(C) in coordination with States and Indian tribes--
(i) establish working groups with States
and Indian tribes to identify regional and
local priorities for researching, identifying,
mapping, and assessing landslide hazards; and
(ii) develop and implement landslide hazard
guidelines for--
(I) geologists;
(II) geological and geotechnical
engineers; and
(III) land use and other
decisionmakers.
(2) National strategy.--Not later than 180 days after the
date of enactment of this Act, and every 5 years thereafter,
the Secretary, in coordination with the Committee, shall
develop and publish a national strategy for landslide hazards
and risk reduction in the United States, which shall include--
(A) goals and priorities for the program;
(B) priorities for data acquisition, research,
communications, and risk management on landslides and
landslide hazards across relevant Federal agencies; and
(C) a detailed interagency plan to carry out the
national strategy, including details about the
programs, projects, and budgets that will be used to
implement the national strategy.
(3) National landslide hazards database.--In carrying out
the program, the Secretary, in coordination with States and
Indian tribes, shall develop and maintain a publicly accessible
national landslide hazard and risk inventory database to
compile, maintain, standardize, and evaluate data regarding--
(A) landslide hazards and risks nationwide;
(B) the nationwide impact of landslides on--
(i) health and safety;
(ii) the economy and infrastructure; and
(iii) the environment;
(C) landslide hazard stabilization; and
(D) reduction of losses from landslides.
(4) Landslide hazard and risk preparedness for
communities.--In carrying out the program, the Secretary, in
coordination with the Secretary of the Army, the Secretary of
Commerce, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Secretary of
Transportation, and the heads of other relevant Federal
agencies, and in consultation with States and Indian tribes,
shall develop and disseminate--
(A) landslide planning and risk reduction guidance,
guidelines, maps, tools, and training materials to help
inform State, local, and tribal governments and
decisionmakers with respect to--
(i) the use and implementation of landslide
hazard assessments;
(ii) the applied use of the database
developed under paragraph (3);
(iii) reducing losses from landslides; and
(iv) resources available for communities
working to improve landslide hazard
preparedness; and
(B) landslide preparedness curricula and training
modules for--
(i) State, local, and tribal officials;
(ii) Federal, State, local, and tribal
emergency managers; and
(iii) the National Guard.
(5) Flash flood and debris flow early warning system.--In
carrying out the program, the Secretary, in coordination with
the Secretary of Commerce and Secretary of Agriculture, shall
expand the early warning system for flash floods and debris
flow by--
(A) expanding the early warning system for post-
wildfire debris flow to include recently burned areas
across the western United States;
(B) developing procedures with State, local, and
tribal governments to monitor stormwater drainage in
areas with high flash flood and debris flow risk;
(C) identifying high-risk debris flow areas, such
as recently burned land and potential lahar hazard
areas; and
(D) identifying areas susceptible to post-wildfire
landslides.
(6) Emergency response activities.--In carrying out the
program, the Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of
Commerce, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the heads of
other relevant Federal agencies, States, and Indian tribes,
shall establish emergency response procedures for the rapid
deployment of Federal scientists, equipment, and services to
areas impacted by a significant landslide event--
(A) to support emergency response efforts and
improve the safety of emergency responders;
(B) to improve data collection; and
(C) to conduct research to advance the
understanding of the causes, impacts, and reduction of
landslide hazards and risks.
(c) Interagency Coordinating Committee on Landslide Hazards.--
(1) In general.--There is established a committee, to be
known as the ``Interagency Coordinating Committee on Landslide
Hazards''.
(2) Membership.--The Committee shall be composed of the
following members (or their designees):
(A) The Secretary, who shall serve as Chairperson
of the Committee.
(B) The Secretary of the Army.
(C) The Secretary of Commerce.
(D) The Secretary of Homeland Security.
(E) The Secretary of Transportation.
(F) The Director of the National Science
Foundation.
(G) The Director of the Office of Science and
Technology Policy.
(H) The Director of the Office of Management and
Budget.
(I) The Secretary of Agriculture.
(3) Meetings.--The Committee shall meet at the call of the
Chairperson.
(4) Purpose and duties.--The Committee shall--
(A) advise and oversee the program;
(B) facilitate communication and coordination
across Federal agencies in the planning, management,
budgeting, and execution of landslide activities; and
(C) support the development and execution of the
national strategy under subsection (b)(2), including
by--
(i) supporting the development of national
goals and priorities for the national strategy;
(ii) articulating Federal agency roles,
responsibilities, and resources for carrying
out the national strategy; and
(iii) overseeing the implementation of the
national strategy.
(d) Advisory Committee.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish an advisory
committee, to be known as the ``Advisory Committee on
Landslides'' (referred to in this subsection as the ``Advisory
Committee'').
(2) Membership.--The Advisory Committee shall be composed
of not fewer than 11 members--
(A) of whom none may be an individual described in
any of subparagraphs (A) through (F) of section
7342(a)(1) of title 5, United States Code; and
(B) who shall be representatives of--
(i) States, including State geological
organizations;
(ii) Indian tribes, including tribal
geological organizations;
(iii) research institutions and
institutions of higher education that are
qualified--
(I) to provide advice regarding
landslide hazard and risk reduction;
and
(II) to represent related
scientific, architectural, engineering,
and planning disciplines;
(iv) industry standards development
organizations; and
(v) State, local, and tribal emergency
management agencies.
(3) Recommendations.--
(A) In general.--The Advisory Committee shall
submit to the Committee recommendations for the
implementation of the program, including
recommendations regarding--
(i) landslide hazard and risk reduction and
planning;
(ii) tools for communities;
(iii) research; and
(iv) such other topics as the Advisory
Committee determines appropriate.
(B) Consideration.--The Secretary and the agency
heads described in subparagraphs (A) through (H) of
subsection (c)(2) shall take into consideration any
recommendation of the Advisory Committee submitted
under subparagraph (A).
(e) Grant Programs.--
(1) Cooperative landslide hazard mapping and assessment
program.--
(A) In general.--Subject to appropriations, the
Secretary may--
(i) provide grants, on a competitive basis,
to State, local, and tribal governments to
research, map, assess, and collect data on
landslide hazards and identify areas
susceptible to post-wildfire landslides within
the jurisdictions of those governments; and
(ii) accept and use funds received from
other Federal and non-Federal partners to
advance the purposes of the program.
(B) Priority.--
(i) In general.--The Secretary shall
consult annually with the Committee, States,
and Indian tribes to establish priorities for
the grant program under this paragraph.
(ii) Funding prioritization.--In providing
grants under this paragraph, the Secretary
shall give priority to projects that--
(I) will achieve the greatest
landslide hazard and risk reduction;
(II) reflect the goals and
priorities of the national strategy
established under subsection (b)(2)(A);
(III) are matched at least 50
percent of the total cost of the
project from non-Federal sources; and
(IV) include acquisition of
enhanced elevation data consistent with
the 3D Elevation Program.
(2) National landslide research grants.--In providing
grants for landslide research and development, the Director of
the National Science Foundation, in consultation with the
Secretary and the Committee, shall ensure that the grants are
provided on a competitive basis to State, local, and tribal
governments, institutions of higher education, and
nongovernmental entities to advance the goals and priorities of
the national strategy established under subsection (b)(2)(A),
including for research and development on--
(A) the causes, mechanisms, triggers, hydrology,
and geology of landslides;
(B) ways to reduce landslide hazards and risks to
minimize loss of life and property, including landslide
hazard and risk communication, perception,
decisionmaking, tools, and technologies; and
(C) other goals and priorities of the national
strategy established under subsection (b)(2)(A).
(f) Annual Report.--The Secretary shall submit to Congress an
annual report, including a description of, with respect to the
preceding calendar year--
(1) the goals and accomplishments of the Secretary and the
agency heads described in subparagraphs (A) through (H) of
subsection (c)(2) in carrying out the national strategy
developed under subsection (b)(2), expressed--
(A) by agency, program, and budgetary resource; and
(B) by the goals and priorities of the national
strategy established under subsection (b)(2)(A);
(2) the results of the activities of the Committee under
this section;
(3) the extent to which any recommendations of the Advisory
Committee under subsection (d)(3)(A) have been implemented;
(4) the grants provided under this section during that
preceding calendar year, including a description of--
(A) each activity carried out using such a grant;
and
(B) the results of those activities; and
(5) for each significant landslide event in the United
States during that preceding calendar year--
(A) a description of the landslide event and the
implications of the event on communities, including
life and property;
(B) recommendations on how the identification of
the landslide risk could have been improved prior to
the event;
(C) a description of the effectiveness of any
warning and risk communication, including the
dissemination of warnings by State, local, and tribal
partners in the affected area;
(D) recommendations to improve risk identification,
reduction, and communication to landowners and local
governments;
(E) recommendations to improve landslide hazard
preparedness and emergency response activities under
this section; and
(F) such other findings as the Secretary determines
appropriate.
(g) Sunset.--This program, including any reporting requirements,
shall sunset on the date that is seven years after the date of
enactment.
SEC. 4. GROUND SUBSIDENCE.
As the Secretary determines to be appropriate, the Secretary shall
support the identification, mapping, research, and monitoring of
subsidence and groundwater resource accounting.
SEC. 5. 3D ELEVATION PROGRAM.
(a) Establishment of 3D Elevation Program.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a program,
to be known as the ``3D Elevation Program''--
(A) to provide 3D elevation data coverage for the
United States;
(B) to coordinate and facilitate the collection,
dissemination, and use of 3D elevation data among
Federal departments and agencies and non-Federal
entities;
(C) to produce standard, publicly accessible 3D
elevation data products for the United States; and
(D) to promote the collection, dissemination, and
use of 3D elevation data among Federal, State, local,
and tribal governments, communities, institutions of
higher education, and the private sector through--
(i) cooperative agreements;
(ii) the development and maintenance of
spatial data infrastructure to provide quality
control and deliver to the public 3D elevation
data products;
(iii) the development of standards and
guidelines for 3D elevation data acquisition to
increase accessibility to 3D elevation data in
a standard, easy-to-use format; and
(iv) the identification, assessment, and
adoption of emerging technologies to improve
the accuracy and efficiency of the 3D Elevation
Program.
(2) Management.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary shall manage the 3D
Elevation Program--
(i) to ensure efficiency with respect to
related activities of the Department of the
Interior and other participating Federal
departments and agencies; and
(ii) to meet the needs of Department of the
Interior programs, stakeholders, and the
public.
(B) Other federal departments and agencies.--The
head of each Federal department and agency involved in
the acquisition, production, distribution, or
application of 3D elevation data shall--
(i) coordinate with the 3D Elevation
Federal Interagency Coordinating Committee
established under subsection (b) to acquire
additional, enhanced 3D elevation data;
(ii) submit to the Secretary a description
of priority areas of interest for 3D elevation
data collection for use in providing grants and
cooperative agreements under subsection (d);
(iii) implement policies and procedures for
data acquisition and sharing that are
consistent with standards and guidelines
developed under the 3D Elevation Program;
(iv) participate in, and share the results
and benefits of, the 3D Elevation Program, in
accordance with standards and guidelines
developed under the 3D Elevation Program; and
(v) ensure that any 3D elevation data
acquired with Federal grant funding--
(I) meets 3D Elevation Program
standards; and
(II) is included in the national
holdings of those data.
(b) 3D Elevation Federal Interagency Coordinating Committee.--
(1) Establishment.--The Secretary, in coordination with the
Secretary of Commerce, shall establish an interagency
coordinating committee, to be known as the ``3D Elevation
Federal Interagency Coordinating Committee'' (referred to in
this subsection as the ``Committee''), to better coordinate 3D
elevation data management across the Federal Government.
(2) Membership.--The Committee shall be composed of the
following members (or their designees):
(A) The Secretary, who shall serve as Chairperson
of the Committee.
(B) The Secretary of Agriculture.
(C) The Secretary of Commerce.
(D) The Secretary of Homeland Security.
(E) The Director of the National Science
Foundation.
(F) The Director of the Office of Science and
Technology Policy.
(G) The Director of the Office of Management and
Budget.
(H) The head of any other Federal department or
agency, at the request of the Secretary.
(3) Coordination.--The Committee shall coordinate, as
appropriate, with the existing activities of--
(A) the 3D Elevation Program Executive Forum;
(B) the Alaska Mapping Executive Committee;
(C) the 3D Elevation Working Group; and
(D) the 3D National Elevation Subcommittee.
(4) Meetings.--The Committee shall meet at the call of the
Chairperson.
(5) Duties.--The Committee shall--
(A) oversee the planning, management, and
coordination of the 3D Elevation Program; and
(B) develop, by not later than 1 year after the
date of enactment of this Act, and update periodically
thereafter--
(i) a strategic plan that establishes goals
and priorities for activities carried out under
the 3D Elevation Program; and
(ii) a detailed management plan to
implement the strategic plan.
(c) Subcommittee of National Geospatial Advisory Committee.--
(1) Establishment.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary shall establish,
within the National Geospatial Advisory Committee, a
subcommittee (referred to in this subsection as the
``Subcommittee'').
(B) Membership.--The Subcommittee shall--
(i) consist of not fewer than 11 members,
of whom none may be a Federal officer or
employee; and
(ii) include representatives of--
(I) research and academic
institutions;
(II) industry standards development
organizations;
(III) units of State and local
government; and
(IV) the private sector.
(2) Duties.--
(A) Assessment.--The Subcommittee shall conduct an
assessment of--
(i) trends and developments in--
(I) the collection, dissemination,
and use of 3D elevation data; and
(II) science and technology
relating to 3D elevation data;
(ii) the effectiveness of the 3D Elevation
Program in carrying out the activities
described in subsection (a)(1);
(iii) the need to revise or reorganize the
3D Elevation Program; and
(iv) the management, coordination,
implementation, and activities of the 3D
Elevation Program.
(B) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date
of enactment of this Act, and not less frequently than
once every 2 years thereafter, the Subcommittee shall
submit to the Secretary and the 3D Elevation Federal
Interagency Coordinating Committee established under
subsection (b) a report that includes--
(i) the findings of the assessment under
subparagraph (A); and
(ii) recommendations of the Subcommittee
based on those findings, if any.
(d) Grants and Cooperative Agreements.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary may make grants and enter
into cooperative agreements with other Federal departments and
agencies, units of tribal, State, or local government,
institutions of higher education, nonprofit research
institutions, or other organizations to facilitate the
improvement of nationwide coverage of 3D elevation data.
(2) Applications.--To be eligible to receive a grant or
enter into a cooperative agreement under this subsection, an
entity described in paragraph (1) shall submit to the Secretary
an application at such time, in such manner, and containing
such information as the Secretary may require.
(3) Terms and conditions.--A grant or cooperative agreement
under this subsection shall be subject to such terms and
conditions as the Secretary determines to be appropriate,
including making data publically available and interoperable
with other Federal datasets.
(e) Sunset.--This program, including any reporting requirements,
shall sunset on the date that is seven years after the date of
enactment.
Union Calendar No. 859
115th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 1675
[Report No. 115-1035, Part I]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish a national program to identify and reduce losses from
landslide hazards, to establish a national 3D Elevation Program, and
for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
December 28, 2018
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology discharged; committed to
the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered
to be printed