What's New Archive

News from 2006

Congressional Briefing on Drought
The Congressional Hazards Caucus in association with the Geological Society of America held a briefing on Wednesday, September 27, 2006, on "Drought: Strategies to Ensure Adequate Water Resources for Future Generations". The briefing featured an introduction by Senator Ben Nelson on drought mitigation. Speakers from the Desert Research Institute in Nevada, the National Drought Mitigation Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the Department of Natural Resources of South Carolina discussed approaches to prepare for and reduce the impacts of drought. (10/26/06)

Congressional Briefing on Hurricane Katrina and Insurance Costs
The Congressional Hazards Caucus in association with the Natural Hazards Center, University of Colorado and the American Sociological Association held a briefing on Friday, June 23, 2006 on lessons learned through social science studies in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, a summary of a new report from the National Academies on "Facing Hazards and Disasters: Understanding Human Dimensions" and a new study being initiated by economists, social scientists and others to understand the motivations for purchasing or not purchasing natural hazards insurance. A PDF of the agenda is available here. More information is available on all three projects at the following web sites:
Natural Hazards Center
National Academies Study: "Facing Hazards and Disasters: Understanding Human Dimensions"
Insuring and Mitigating Risks of Large-Scale Natural Disasters Study
(8/10/06)

Congressional Briefing on Tornadoes
The Congressional Hazards Caucus and Alliance held a briefing on Wednesday, April 5, 2006, on "Tornadoes: How They Form and How Well We Can Forecast Them". The briefing featured an introduction by Congressman Dennis Moore about the risks associated with tornadoes and the need for congressional cooperation in mitigating these risks. Speakers from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Weather Channel and the Severe Weather Research Center in Boulder Colorado discussed methods to extend warning times and enhance communications about tornado warnings to the public. Speaker presentations are available here. (6/16/06)

Congressional Briefing on Mitigation Costs
The Congressional Hazards Caucus and Alliance held a briefing on Friday, February 3, 2006, on "Benefits of Mitigation: Overview of Assessments of Future Savings". The briefing featured an introduction by David Maurstad, Acting Mitigation Division Director and Federal Insurance Administrator for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Speakers from the Multi-Hazard Mitigation Council, the U.S. Geological Survey and the Pennsylvania State University discussed two recent reports about the costs and benefits of mitigation practices. The first report, prepared by the Multi-Hazard Mitigation Council is entitled "Natural Hazard Mitigation Saves: An Independent Study to Assess the Future Savings from Mitigation Activities". The second report, prepared by the National Academies is entitled "Improved Seismic Monitoring, Improved Decision-Making: Assessing the Value of Reduced Uncertainty". Speaker presentations are available here. (6/16/06)

News from 2005

National Academies Report on Louisiana Coastal Restoration
The National Academies have released an interim report on their study entitled "Drawing Louisiana's New Map: Addressing Land Loss in Coastal Louisiana". The report reviews the scientific merit and long-term effectiveness of a restoration plan, the Louisiana Coastal Area (LCA), proposed by the Army Corps of Engineers and the state of Louisiana. The LCA would cost about $1.9 billion over 10 years and is meant to slow and possibly reverse the loss rates of coastal lands. The interim report finds the projects within LCA scientifically sound, but not comprehensive enough for long-term effectiveness. The Committee on the Restoration and Protection of Coastal Louisiana recommends more and larger-scale projects to reduce land loss and to deal with hurricane protection and the rebuilding of communities devastated by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. For more information about the committee or the report please contact the National Academies' Ocean Studies Board at 202-334-2714 or visit their website. The full text of the report is available here. (11/2/05)

Hazards Caucus Alliance Briefing on Coastal Flooding
The Hazards Caucus Alliance held its last briefing of 2005 on Tuesday, November 1, on "Coastal Flooding: Understanding the Hazard and Protecting Communities." The well-attended briefing featured speakers from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the United States Geological Survey, FM Global Insurance, and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. The speakers covered a wide range of topics, including the lessons that can be learned from storm surge modeling, the importance of natural hurricane barriers, how levees can provide a false sense of security, and the economic and environmental concerns that must be accounted for in sustainable coastal zone management. Speaker presentations are available here. (11/2/05)

U.S. Geological Survey Briefing on Hurricanes
On Friday, October 28, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) hosted a briefing on the role of science in reducing the nation's hurricane risk. The Department of the Interior and the USGS discussed how science can reduce the nation's risk to hurricanes and their aftermath. This briefing was sponsored by U.S. Representative James Moran, U.S. Senator James DeMint, the Geological Society of America, the American Geophysical Union, and the American Geological Institute. The speakers included Lynn Scarlett, Assistant Secretary for Policy Management and Budget, Department of the Interior; Patrick Leahy, Acting Director USGS; and Abby Sallenger, a USGS scientist with expertise on coastal erosion related to hurricanes. For more information, see this USGS media advisory. (10/31/05)

UCAR and Hazards Caucus Alliance Briefing on Hurricane Prediction
On October 11, 2005, the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research and the Hazards Caucus Alliance co-sponsored a luncheon briefing on "Hurricane Prediction, Oil Rigs, and Insurance: Katrina, Rita, and Beyond." The briefing focused on new advances in hurricane prediction science and technology and how these advances are used to reduce the loss of life and the destruction of property and infrastructure. For more information read a summary of the briefing. A new fact sheet on hurricanes is also available. (10/3/05)
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Updated Status of Hazards-Related Legislation
A devastating tsunami in the Indian Ocean caused by the Sumatra earthquake on December 26, 2004 brought the world's attention back to the power of nature and the need for hazards preparation and mitigation. Hurricane Katrina, a record-breaking number of Atlantic Ocean storms and another devastating earthquake in Pakistan in 2005 continue to draw the attention and concern of the United States government. Congress has responded to these disasters by introducing and advancing several pieces of legislation to address America's hazard readiness. Congressional committees have also held numerous oversight hearings on the work federal agencies and other organizations are doing to alert and protect the public. A list of hazard-related legislation provides an updated look at how Congress is addressing these concerns. (7/19/05)

For More Information

The alliance is currently seeking additional members of the caucus as well as organizations interested in joining the alliance. Please contact Linda Rowan at the American Geological Institute (703-379-2480, ext. 228; rowan@agiweb.org)

Contributed by Katie Ackerly and Linda Rowan, AGI Government Affairs Staff

Posted: June 11, 2000; Last updated January 18, 2006

Please send any comments or questions about this web site to Linda Rowan.