NEHRP Reauthorization
Representatives from the four National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program agencies and an additional four experts from the field recently testified in front of the House Subcommittee on Research and Technology on July 28th as the committee weighed reauthorizing the program. NEHRP was created in 1977 by the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act, which was passed in response to the 1964 Alaskan earthquake and the 1971 San Fernando earthquake. NEHRP authorization ended in 2009, but the four agencies that make up the program (NIST, NSF, USGS and FEMA) hope that reauthorization will occur to restore consistency and stability to the program.
Witness Testimony
The first panel of the four agency representatives provided testimony with a focus on the distinct and complementary role each of the agencies play. Dr. John R. Hayes, Jr., Director of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program at NIST described how NIST performs statutory lead agency roles but also help bridge the gap between earthquake engineering research and building codes. NSF’s representative, Dr. Pramod P. Khargonekar, Assistant Director of the Directorate of Engineering for NSF, described how NSF supports fundamental earthquake research in addition to 3 research facilities: NEES (Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation), GAGE (Geodetic Facilities for the Advancement of Geoscience and EarthScope) and SAGE (Seismological Facilities for the Advancement of Geoscience and EarthScope). The third agency representative, Dr. David Applegate, Associate Director for Natural Hazards at the USGS, spoke about their support of the GSN (Global Seismic Network) and the ANSS (Advanced National Seismic System) and how the USGS uses seismic data to create models that help us understand seismic risk. FEMA’s representative, Dr. Roy Wright, the Deputy Associate Administrator for Mitigation, outlined their role as primarily revolving around public outreach and education about seismic hazards and risk.
The second panel of experts wholeheartedly recommended NEHRP reauthorization, but had suggestions about the way that NEHRP should be run in the future. In particular, Mr. Jonathon Monken, Director and Homeland Security Advisor of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, requested that emergency management at the state and local level play a more significant leadership role and receive a larger portion of funding after reauthorization. Other witnesses recommended similar refocusing on making sure that the scientific research was relevant and supported implementation and hazard mitigation efforts.
Subcommittee focus
The subcommittee members questions ranged from research priorities to social perception of risk with Chairman Bucshon (R-IL) and Ranking Member Lipinski (D-IL) demonstrating a positive perception of the program and its work. Rep. Bucshon was interested in current weaknesses in U.S. earthquake hazard preparation and response, but also asked questions about funding research opportunities for students and the role of education in public perception of risk. Rep. Lipinski asked questions focused on social science issues and expressed concern about the pervasive “NIMBY-ism” that occurs within much of the U.S. when considering susceptibility to seismic risk. NEHRP reauthorization legislation is expected to be introduced in the fall.