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Washington, DC -- Today Congressman David Wu announced his success in securing more funding for community-based mitigation programs that improve tsunami preparedness in at-risk areas of the United States such as the Oregon coast. Congressman Wu's efforts are reflected in H.R. 1674, the United States Tsunami Warning and Education Act, which provides funds for tsunami detection, warning, research and mitigation programs of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
As Ranking Member of the Science Subcommittee on Environment, Technology and Standards, which has jurisdiction over NOAA, Congressman Wu has long held that while increasing funding for hardware will protect those across the Pacific Ocean, mitigation programs, focusing on educating the public, are key to protecting Oregonians.
"The Indian Ocean tragedy reminded us of the need to have the best early warning and evacuation plan in place," stated Congressman Wu. "As Ranking Member of the Science Subcommittee on Environment, Technology and Standards, I am honored to play an integral role in ensuring that Oregonians have the resources they need to keep their families and neighbors safe."
As originally drafted, H.R. 1674, authorized a large majority of funds to be appropriated for warning systems hardware, rather than for mitigation programs. Congressman Wu successfully redistributed funding amounts to provide an additional $1.8 million for inundation models that help with the assessment of vulnerable inner coastal areas, community outreach and education networks that ensure readiness, and technical training in local communities.
"Catastrophic tsunamis are rare events, but we must never neglect the safety and security of our citizens,” stated Ranking Member Rep. Bart Gordon. “Representative Wu’s work, along with the support of Rep. Hooley and Rep. Baird, to advance this important bill has been instrumental to its progress. His efforts not only put a plan in place to maintain the wellbeing of our coastline, but his work also ensures that our communities have the educational and preparedness tools they need to save lives.”
Congressman Wu also offered an amendment that allows NOAA, states and local research institutions to collaborate on a number of issues and to better address regional and local preparedness needs. Specifically, his amendment permits NOAA to set up subcommittees to coordinate regional-specific tsunami issues, to work with local research institutions to develop technology and community warning, education and evacuation materials and allows states to use their own inundation maps as long as they conform with NOAA standards.
Subsequently, NOAA will be able to work with the Center for Coastal and Land-Margin Research located at OHSU's OGI School of Science and Engineering in Beaverton. The Center, led by Dr. Antonio Baptista, conducts research and advanced technology development that directly addresses the need for better scientific understanding of coasts.
As principal investigator, Dr. Baptista has extensive knowledge of the Cascadia Subduction Zone, located just off the Oregon coast and where large tsunamis are believed to be generated. Findings of Dr. Baptista's research, have been incorporated into the development of tsunami inundation maps for the Oregon coast.
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