[Senate Report 107-310]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
Calendar No. 698
107th Congress Report
SENATE
2d Session 107-310
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INLAND FLOOD FORECASTING AND WARNING SYSTEM ACT OF 2002
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October 10, 2002.--Ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Hollings, from the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation, submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H.R. 2486]
The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, to
which was referred the Act (H.R. 2486) to authorize the
National Weather Service to conduct research and development,
training, and outreach activities relating to tropical cyclone
inland forecasting improvement, and for other purposes, having
considered the same, reports favorably thereon without
amendment and recommends that the Act do pass.
Purpose of the Bill
The purpose of H.R. 2486 is to authorize the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), through the United
States Weather Research Program (USWRP), to improve the
capability to forecast inland flooding through research and
modeling, and to develop, test, and deploy a new flood warning
index.
Background and Needs
In 1999, Hurricane Floyd killed 48 people and caused nearly
$3 billion in property damage, primarily through the flooding
of inland communities. In 2000, Tropical Storm Allison
unexpectedly dumped more than 35 inches of rain in Texas and
traveled from Texas eastward through much of the southeast
United States, resulting in more than 50 deaths, again,
primarily as a result of inland flooding.
While the National Weather Service has the ability to
accurately predict most flood events, it has difficulty in
forecasting coastal and estuary-inland flooding events that are
caused by tropical cyclones.
In addition, the flood warning index (or scale) currently
used by the National Weather Service does not include enough
information about the potential risks and dangers posed by
expected floods.
The USWRP is a $9 million multi-agency collaborative effort
of research communities, academia, and government. The focus of
the program is to integrate weather-related research and new
developments in technology with public and private sector
applications.
The government participants include NOAA, which houses USWRP,
the National Science Foundation, the National Aeronautic and
Space Administration, and the Department of Defense.
Legislative History
H.R. 2486 was introduced in the House of Representatives on
July 12, 2001. It was reported as amended by the Committee on
Science on June 5, 2002, House Report 107-495. The Act was
passed in the House of Representatives by a vote of 413:3 (Roll
no. 294). Upon passage by the House of Representatives, the Act
was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation. On September 19, 2002,
in an executive session, the Act was ordered to be reported
without amendment favorably.
Estimated Costs
In accordance with paragraph 11(a) of rule XXVI of the
Standing Rules of the Senate and section 403 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee provides the
following cost estimate, prepared by the Congressional Budget
Office:
U.S. Congress,
Congressional Budget Office,
Washington, DC, October 2, 2002.
Hon. Ernest F. Hollings,
Chairman, Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, U.S.
Senate, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 2486, the Inland
Flood Forecasting and Warning System Act of 2002.
If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Deborah Reis.
Sincerely,
Barry B. Anderson
(For Dan L. Crippen, Director).
Enclosure.
H.R. 2486--Inland Flood Forecasting and Warning System Act of 2002
Summary: H.R. 2486 would require the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to improve its ability to
forecast inland flooding through research and modeling. The act
would direct the agency to create and implement a flood warning
index, train government and other personnel to use new
forecasting methodologies, assess trends in inland flooding,
and conduct outreach and education. Finally, the act would
authorize the appropriate of $1.25 million for each of fiscal
years 2003 through 2005, and $1.15 million for 2006 and 2007
for these activities.
Assuming appropriation of the authorized amounts, CBO
estimates that implementing H.R. 2486 would cost about $6
million over the 2003-2007 period. Enacting this legislation
would not affect direct spending or revenues.
H.R. 2486 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA)
and would impose no costs on state, local, or tribal
governments.
Estimated cost to the Federal Government: The estimated
budgetary impact on H.R. 2486 is shown in the following table.
The costs of this legislation fall within budget function 300
(natural resources and environment).
For this estimate, CBO assumes that the amounts authorized
by H.R. 2486 will be appropriated near the beginning of each
fiscal year and that outlays will follow historical spending
patterns for similar grant programs.
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By fiscal year, in millions of dollars--
--------------------------------------------
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
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CHANGES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION
Inland Flood Forecasting and Warning \1\:
Authorized Level............................................... 1 1 1 1 1
Estimated Outlays.............................................. 1 1 1 1 1
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\1\ NOAA's National Weather Service $642 million in operating funds from fiscal year 2002 appropriations, about
$1.5 million of which was for advanced hydrological forecasting activities similar to those that would be
authorized by H.R. 2486. A full-year appropriation for NOAA for 2003 has not yet been provided.
Intergovernmental and private-sector impact: H.R. 2486
contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as
defined in UMRA. The act would benefit public universities by
authorizing a total of $1.55 million in grant funding over the
2003-2007 period to institutions of higher education, including
public universities, for developing models for improved flood
forecasts and for analyzing long-term trends in the frequency
and severity of inland flooding. Any costs incurred by states
would be voluntary.
Previous CBO cost estimate: On May 31, 2002, CBO
transmitted a cost estimate for H.R. 2486 as ordered reported
by the House Committee on Science on May 22, 2002. The
authorization levels contained in the Senate version of the
legislation are $100,000 higher than those of the version
approved by the House Science Committee for fiscal years 2003
through 2005. The cost estimates reflect this difference.
Estimate prepared by: Federal Cost: Deborah Reis; Impact on
State, Local, and Tribal Governments: Susan Sieg Tompkins; and
Impact on the Private Sector: Cecil McPherson.
Estimate approved by: Peter H. Fontaine, Deputy Assistant
Director for Budget Analysis.
Regulatory Impact Statement
In accordance with paragraph 11(b) of rule XXVI of the
Standing Rules of the Senate, the Committee provides the
following evaluation of the regulatory impact of the
legislation, as reported:
Because H.R. 2486 does not create any new programs, the
legislation would have no additional regulatory impact, and
should result in no additional reporting requirements. The
legislation would have no further effect on the number or types
of individuals and businesses regulated, the economic impact of
such regulation, the personal privacy of affected individuals,
or the paperwork required from such individuals and businesses.
Section-by-Section Analysis
Section 1. Short title
Section 1 would cite the title of the Act as the ``Inland
Flood Forecasting and Warning System Act of 2002.''
Section 2. Authorized activities
Section 2 would authorize NOAA, through the United States
Weather Research Program, to develop, test, and deploy an
inland flood warning index for use by public and emergency
management officials. After developing the index, NOAA would be
required to train emergency management officials, National
Weather Service personnel, meteorologists, and others, as
appropriate, in the use of the new inland flood warning index,
and conduct outreach and education activities for the public.
Section 3. Authorization of appropriations
Section 3 would authorize appropriations of $1,150,000 for
each fiscal year (FY) from 2003 through 2007, for a total of
$5,750,000 to NOAA. Of this amount, up to $250,000 for each
fiscal year would be available for competitive merit reviewed
grants to institutions of higher education to improve the
ability to forecast coastal and estuary-inland flooding
associated with tropical cyclones.
Section 4. Report
Section 4 would require NOAA, not later than 90 days after
the Act is enacted, and annually through FY 2007, to report to
the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
and House of Representatives Committee on Science on the
success and acceptance of the inland flood warning index. NOAA
would also be required to report to the House of
Representatives Committee on Science and the Senate Committee
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, not later than
January 1, 2006, on the likely long-term trends in inland
flooding, and the activities conducted under the direction of
this legislation, especially activities to alert the public and
builders to flood hazards.
Changes in Existing Law
In compliance with paragraph 12 of rule XXVI of the Standing
Rules of the Senate, the Committee states that the Act as
reported would make no change to existing law.