H. Rept. 115-1035 - NATIONAL LANDSLIDE PREPAREDNESS ACT115th Congress (2017-2018)
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115th Congress } { Rept. 115-1035
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2d Session } { Part 1
======================================================================
NATIONAL LANDSLIDE PREPAREDNESS ACT
_______
November 16, 2018.--Ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Bishop of Utah, from the Committee on Natural Resources, submitted
the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H.R. 1675]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Natural Resources, to whom was referred
the bill (H.R. 1675) to establish a national program to
identify and reduce losses from landslide hazards, to establish
a national 3D Elevation Program, and for other purposes, having
considered the same, reports favorably thereon with an
amendment and recommends that the bill as amended do pass.
The amendment is as follows:
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the
following:
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.
PURPOSE OF THE BILL
The purpose of H.R. 1675 is to establish a national program
to identify and reduce losses from landslide hazards, and to
establish a national 3-D Elevation Program.
BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION
Landslides are geologic hazards that exist throughout the
United States. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) estimates that
landslides account for $1 billion to $2 billion in damages and,
on average, 25 fatalities every year.\1\ As expansion of urban
and recreational development occurs, people are exposed to
potential impacts from landslide hazards. Landslides are often
triggered by other events like heavy storms, earthquakes,
volcanic activities, and wildfires.
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\1\U.S. Geological Survey's Landslides Hazards Program, https://
landslides.usgs.gov/aboutus/.
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A core mission of the USGS is the Landslides Hazards
Program (LHP) which has existed since the 1970s. The purpose of
this program is to provide scientific information to minimize
loss of life and property from landslides.\2\ The LHP conducts
landslide hazard assessments, conducts landslide investigations
and forecasts, and provides assistance in response to landslide
events. The LHP partners with States and other Federal agencies
in these activities. Local public decision makers depend on the
LHP for information before, during, and after landslide
triggering disasters to better inform their actions. Since
fiscal year 2014, the LHP has been funded at $3.5 million
annually.\3\
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\2\Id.
\3\U.S.DepartmentoftheInterior, OfficeofBudget, https://
www.doi.gov/budget/appropriations/.
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H.R. 1675 directs the Secretary of the Interior to bolster
the LHP's activities by creating a National Landslide Hazards
Reduction Program to identify and understand risks and reduce
losses from landslide hazards, and to help improve
communication and emergency preparedness.
The bill also establishes a national 3D Elevation Program
(3DEP) to update and produce standard, publicly accessible 3D
elevation data for the United States, in coordination with
other federal agencies and nonfederal entities. 3DEP would have
value not only for assessing landslide hazards but for also
identifying energy, mineral and water resources, geologic and
environmental hazards such as active faults and seismic areas,
unstable ground subject to landslides, swelling soils,
floodplains and abandoned mine lands.
The bill establishes two committees to oversee and
coordinate the activities of the National Landslide Hazards
Reduction Program and the 3DEP Program. These committees are
the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Landslide Hazards,
and the 3D Elevation Federal Interagency Coordinating
Committee, respectively.
SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS
Section 1. Short title
The short title of the bill is the ``National Landslide
Preparedness Act''.
Section 2. Definitions
This section defines terms used in the bill.
Section 3. National Landslide Hazards Reduction Program
Section 3 directs the Secretary of the Interior to
establish the National Landslide Hazards Reduction Program.
This program will:
Develop and publish a national strategy for
landslide hazards and risk reduction in the United
States
Develop and maintain a publicly accessible
national landslide hazard and risk inventory database
Disseminate landslide planning and risk
reduction materials
Expand the early warning system for flash
floods and debris flow
Establish emergency response procedures for
the rapid deployment of federal scientists, equipment,
and services to areas impacted by a significant
landslide event
Support emergency response efforts and
improve the safety of emergency responders
Establish the Advisory Committee on
Landslides
Advance the identification, mapping,
research, and monitoring of subsidence and groundwater
resource accounting
The Secretary may provide competitive grants to state,
local, and tribal governments to research, map, assess, and
collect data on landslide hazards.
The National Science Foundation shall ensure that landslide
research grants are provided on a competitive basis to advance
the goals and priorities of the national strategy.
Section 4. Ground subsidence
This section allows the Secretary to support the
identification, mapping, research, and monitoring of subsidence
and groundwater resource accounting.
Section 5. 3D Elevation Program
This section directs the Secretary of the Interior to
establish a 3D Elevation Program and the 3D Elevation Federal
Interagency Coordinating Committee. This program will:
Provide 3D elevation data coverage for the
United States
Coordinate and facilitate the collection,
dissemination, and use of 3D elevation data among
federal agencies and non-federal entities
Produce standard, publicly accessible 3D
elevation data products for the United States
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
USGS may make grants and enter into cooperative agreements
to facilitate the improvement of nationwide coverage of 3D
elevation data.
COMMITTEE ACTION
H.R. 1675 was introduced on March 22, 2017, by
Congresswoman Suzan K. DelBene (D-WA). The bill was referred
primarily to the Committee on Natural Resources, and
additionally to the Committee on Science, Space and Technology.
Within the Natural Resources Committee, the bill was referred
to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources. The
Subcommittee held a hearing on the bill on November 30, 2017.
On December 12, 2017, the Natural Resources Committee met to
consider the bill. The Subcommittee was discharged by unanimous
consent. Congressman Paul A. Gosar (R-AZ) offered an amendment
designated #1; it was adopted by unanimous consent. Resident
Commissioner Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon (R-PR) offered an
undesignated amendment; it was adopted by unanimous consent.
Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (D-CA) offered an amendment
designated (073); it was adopted by unanimous consent. No
additional amendments were offered, and the bill, as amended,
was ordered favorably reported to the House of Representatives
by unanimous consent on December 13, 2017.
COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Regarding clause 2(b)(1) of rule X and clause 3(c)(1) of
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the
Committee on Natural Resources' oversight findings and
recommendations are reflected in the body of this report.
COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XIII AND CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET ACT
1. Cost of Legislation and the Congressional Budget Act.
With respect to the requirements of clause 3(c)(2) and (3) of
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and
sections 308(a) and 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of
1974, the Committee has received the following estimate for the
bill from the Director of the Congressional Budget Office:
U.S. Congress,
Congressional Budget Office,
Washington, DC, February 21, 2018.
Hon. Rob Bishop,
Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 1675, the National
Landslide Preparedness Act.
If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Robert Reese.
Sincerely,
Keith Hall,
Director.
Enclosure.
H.R. 1675--National Landslide Preparedness Act
Summary: H.R. 1675 would authorize the United States
Geological Survey (USGS) to create the National Landslide
Hazards Reduction Program to better respond to and reduce the
risk of landslides. The bill also would authorize USGS to
create the 3D Elevation Program to develop three-dimensional
elevation data for the United States. The authority for each
program would expire seven years after enactment. Using
information from USGS, CBO estimates that implementing the bill
would cost $297 million over the 2019-2022 period. Such
spending would be subject to appropriation.
Enacting H.R. 1675 would not affect direct spending or
revenues; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply.
CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 1675 would not increase
net direct spending or on-budget deficits in any of the four
consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2028.
H.R. 1675 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA).
Estimated cost to the Federal Government: The estimated
budgetary effect of H.R. 1675 is shown in the following table.
The costs of this legislation fall within budget function 300
(natural resources and environment).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By fiscal year, in millions of dollars--
------------------------------------------------------------
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2018-2022
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INCREASES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION
National Landslide Hazards:
Reduction Program:
Estimated Authorization Level.................. 0 33 67 69 70 240
Estimated Outlays.............................. 0 21 54 67 70 213
3D Elevation Program:
Estimated Authorization Level.................. 0 25 26 26 27 104
Estimated Outlays.............................. 0 10 22 26 27 84
Total Changes:
Estimated Authorization Level.......... 0 58 93 95 97 344
Estimated Outlays...................... 0 32 76 93 96 297
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Numbers do not sum to totals because of rounding.
Basis of estimate: CBO assumes that H.R. 1675 will be
enacted late in 2018 and that the necessary amounts will be
appropriated for each year beginning in 2019.
National Landslide Hazards Reduction Program
H.R. 1675 would require USGS to establish the National
Landslide Hazards Reduction Program. To that end, the bill
would require USGS to develop a national strategy to reduce
landslide risks, create and maintain a publicly accessible
database on landslide hazards, create an early warning system
for flash floods and debris flows, and lead an interagency
coordinating committee on landslide hazards. The bill also
would authorize two new grant programs. The program's
authorization would expire seven years after enactment.
Using information from USGS, CBO estimates that when fully
implemented the program would cost about $65 million a year. Of
that annual amount, $25 million would provide salaries and
benefits to support 175 additional full-time employees. Another
$20 million would be for grants to localities and for
cooperative agreements with nonprofits and universities. The
remaining $20 million would cover contracting and equipment
costs to monitor, survey, map, and analyze landslide hazards.
CBO expects that the program 2 would be phased in during 2019
and that full implementation of the program would not occur
until 2020. Accounting for anticipated inflation and based on
historical spending patterns for similar programs, CBO
estimates that outlays for the National Landslide Hazards
Reduction Program would total $213 million over the 2019-2022
period.
3D Elevation Program
H.R. 1675 also would direct USGS to create the 3D Elevation
Program to develop elevation data for the United States and to
produce elevation data products that are publicly accessible.
In implementing the program USGS would be authorized to make
grants and enter into cooperative agreements. The bill would
direct USGS to head an interagency coordinating committee for
the 3D Elevation Program. The program's authorization would
expire seven years after enactment.
Currently, USGS operates a program that meets some of the
requirements outlined under H.R. 1675. In 2017, USGS allocated
$25 million to that program. Using information from USGS, CBO
estimates that implementing the 3D Elevation Program as
required under H.R. 1675 would cost an additional $25 million a
year. Of that amount, $3 million would provide salaries and
benefits to support 20 additional full-time employees. Another
$2 million would cover grants to localities and cooperative
agreements with nonprofits and universities. The remaining $20
million would be devoted to contractor support costs and to
updating computer systems and other infrastructure. Accounting
for anticipated inflation and based on historical spending
patterns for the current program, CBO estimates that additional
outlays for the 3D Elevation Program would total $84 million
over the 2019-2022 period.
Pay-As-You-Go considerations: None.
Increase in long-term direct spending and deficits: CBO
estimates that enacting H.R. 1675 would not increase net direct
spending or on-budget deficits in any of the four consecutive
10-year periods beginning in 2028.
Mandates: H.R. 1675 contains no intergovernmental or
private-sector mandates as defined in UMRA.
Estimate prepared by: Federal costs: Robert Reese;
Mandates: Zach Byrum.
Estimate approved by: H. Samuel Papenfuss, Deputy Assistant
Director for Budget Analysis.
2. General Performance Goals and Objectives. As required by
clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII, the general performance goal or
objective of this bill is to establish a national program to
identify and reduce losses from landslide hazards, and to
establish a national 3-D Elevation Program.
EARMARK STATEMENT
This bill does not contain any Congressional earmarks,
limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined
under clause 9(e), 9(f), and 9(g) of rule XXI of the Rules of
the House of Representatives.
COMPLIANCE WITH PUBLIC LAW 104-4
This bill contains no unfunded mandates.
FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT
The functions of the proposed advisory committees
authorized in this bill are not currently being nor could they
be performed by one of more agencies, an advisory group already
in existence, or by enlarging the mandate of an existing
advisory group.
COMPLIANCE WITH H. RES. 5
Directed Rule Making. This bill does not contain any
directed rule makings.
Duplication of Existing Programs. This bill does not
establish or reauthorize a program of the federal government
known to be duplicative of another program. Such program was
not included in any report from the Government Accountability
Office to Congress pursuant to section 21 of Public Law 111-139
or identified in the most recent Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance published pursuant to the Federal Program
Information Act (Public Law 95-220, as amended by Public Law
98-169) as relating to other programs.
PREEMPTION OF STATE, LOCAL OR TRIBAL LAW
This bill is not intended to preempt any State, local or
tribal law.
CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW
If enacted, this bill would make no changes to existing
law.
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