33 USC 45 Tsunami Warning Education & Research Act

33 USC Ch. 45: TSUNAMI WARNING AND EDUCATION
From Title 33—NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS

CHAPTER 45—TSUNAMI WARNING AND EDUCATION
Sec.

3201.
3202.
3203.
3204.
3205.
3206.
3206a.
3207.
3208.

Definitions.
Purposes.
Tsunami forecasting and warning program.
National tsunami hazard mitigation program.
Tsunami research program.
Global tsunami warning and mitigation network.
Tsunami Science and Technology Advisory Panel.
Authorization of appropriations.
Outreach responsibilities.

§3201. Definitions
In this chapter:
(1) The term "Administration" means the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
(2) The term "Administrator" means the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
(Pub. L. 109–424, §2, Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 2902; Pub. L. 109–479, title VIII, §802, Jan. 12, 2007, 120 Stat. 3653;
Pub. L. 115–25, title V, §512(a), Apr. 18, 2017, 131 Stat. 128.)
Editorial Notes

Codification
Pub. L. 109–424 and title VIII of Pub. L. 109–479 enacted substantially identical sections. Pub. L. 109–424
was repealed by section 512(a) of Pub. L. 115–25.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Short Title of 2017 Amendment
Pub. L. 115–25, title V, §501, Apr. 18, 2017, 131 Stat. 115, provided that: "This title [enacting sections 3206a
and 3208 of this title, amending this section and sections 3202 to 3207 of this title, and enacting and repealing

provisions set out as notes under this section] may be cited as the 'Tsunami Warning, Education, and
Research Act of 2017'."

Short Title
Pub. L. 109–479, title VIII, §801, Jan. 12, 2007, 120 Stat. 3653, provided that: "This title [enacting this
chapter] may be cited as the 'Tsunami Warning and Education Act'."
Pub. L. 109–424, §1, Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 2902, which provided that Pub. L. 109–424 could be cited as
the Tsunami Warning and Education Act, was repealed by Pub. L. 115–25, title V, §512(a), Apr. 18, 2017, 131
Stat. 128.

Construction
Pub. L. 115–25, title V, §512(b), Apr. 18, 2017, 131 Stat. 128, provided that: "Nothing in this section
[repealing Pub. L. 109–424] may be construed to repeal, or affect in any way, the Tsunami Warning and
Education Act [this chapter] enacted as title VIII of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Reauthorization Act of 2006 (Public Law 109–479; 33 U.S.C. 3201 et seq.)."

§3202. Purposes

The purposes of this chapter are—
(1) to improve tsunami detection, forecasting, warnings, research, notification, outreach, and mitigation to protect life
and property in the United States;
(2) to enhance and modernize the existing United States Tsunami Warning System to increase the accuracy of
forecasts and warnings, to ensure full coverage of tsunami threats to the United States with a network of detection
assets, and to reduce false alarms;
(3) to improve and develop standards and guidelines for mapping, modeling, and assessment efforts to improve
tsunami detection, forecasting, warnings, notification, mitigation, resiliency, response, outreach, and recovery;
(4) to improve research efforts related to improving tsunami detection, forecasting, warnings, notification, mitigation,
resiliency, response, outreach, and recovery;
(5) to improve, increase, and develop uniform standards and guidelines for education and outreach activities and
ensure that those receiving tsunami warnings and the at-risk public know what to do when a tsunami is approaching,
including the warning signs of locally generated tsunami;
(6) to provide technical and other assistance to speed international efforts to establish regional tsunami warning
systems in vulnerable areas worldwide;
(7) to foster resilient communities in the face of tsunami and other similar coastal hazards; and
(8) to improve Federal, State, and international coordination for detection, warnings, and outreach for tsunami and
other coastal impacts.
(Pub. L. 109–424, §3, Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 2902; Pub. L. 109–479, title VIII, §803, Jan. 12, 2007, 120 Stat. 3653;
Pub. L. 115–25, title V, §§503, 512(a), Apr. 18, 2017, 131 Stat. 115, 128.)
Editorial Notes

Codification
Pub. L. 109–424 and title VIII of Pub. L. 109–479 enacted substantially identical sections. Pub. L. 109–424
was repealed by section 512(a) of Pub. L. 115–25.

Amendments
2017—Par. (1). Pub. L. 115–25, §503(1), inserted "research," after "warnings,".
Par. (2). Pub. L. 115–25, §503(2), amended par. (2) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (2) read as

follows: "to enhance and modernize the existing Pacific Tsunami Warning System to increase coverage,
reduce false alarms, and increase the accuracy of forecasts and warnings, and to expand detection and
warning systems to include other vulnerable States and United States territories, including the Atlantic
Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico areas;".
Par. (3). Pub. L. 115–25, §503(3), amended par. (3) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (3) read as
follows: "to improve mapping, modeling, research, and assessment efforts to improve tsunami detection,
forecasting, warnings, notification, outreach, mitigation, response, and recovery;".
Par. (4). Pub. L. 115–25, §503(5), added par. (4). Former par. (4) redesignated (5).
Par. (5). Pub. L. 115–25, §503(4), (6), redesignated par. (4) as (5), substituted ", increase, and develop
uniform standards and guidelines for" for "and increase", and inserted ", including the warning signs of
locally generated tsunami" after "approaching". Former par. (5) redesignated (6).
Par. (6). Pub. L. 115–25, §503(4), (7), redesignated par. (5) as (6) and substituted semicolon at end for
", including the Indian Ocean; and". Former par. (6) redesignated (8).
Par. (7). Pub. L. 115–25, §503(8), added par. (7).
Par. (8). Pub. L. 115–25, §503(4), redesignated par. (6) as (8).

§3203. Tsunami forecasting and warning program
(a) In general
The Administrator, through the National Weather Service and in consultation with other relevant Administration offices,
shall operate a program to provide tsunami detection, forecasting, and warnings for the Pacific and Arctic Ocean regions
and for the Atlantic Ocean region, including the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico.
(b) Components
The program under this section shall—
(1) include the tsunami warning centers supported or maintained under subsection (d);
(2) to the degree practicable, maintain not less than 80 percent of the Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of
Tsunamis buoy array at operational capacity to optimize data reliability;
(3) utilize and maintain an array of robust tsunami detection technologies;

(4) maintain detection equipment in operational condition to fulfill the detection, forecasting, and warning
requirements of this chapter;
(5) provide tsunami forecasting capability based on models and measurements, including tsunami inundation
models and maps for use in increasing the preparedness of communities and safeguarding port and harbor
operations, that incorporate inputs, including—
(A) the United States and global ocean and coastal observing system;
(B) the global Earth observing system;
(C) the global seismic network;
(D) the Advanced National Seismic system;
(E) tsunami model validation using historical and paleotsunami data;
(F) digital elevation models and bathymetry; and
(G) newly developing tsunami detection methodologies using satellites and airborne remote sensing;
(6) maintain data quality and management systems to support the requirements of the program;
(7) include a cooperative effort among the Administration, the United States Geological Survey, and the National
Science Foundation under which the Director of the United States Geological Survey and the Director of the National
Science Foundation shall—
(A) provide rapid and reliable seismic information to the Administrator from international and domestic seismic
networks; and
(B) support seismic stations installed before April 18, 2017, to supplement coverage in areas of sparse
instrumentation;
(8) provide a capability for the dissemination of warnings, including graphical warning products, to at-risk States,
territories, and tsunami communities through rapid and reliable notification to government officials and the public,
including utilization of and coordination with existing Federal warning systems, including the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration Weather Radio All Hazards Program and Wireless Emergency Alerts;
(9) provide and allow, as practicable, for integration of tsunami detection technologies with other environmental
observing technologies and commercial and Federal undersea communications cables; and
(10) include any technology the Administrator considers appropriate to fulfill the objectives of the program under this
section.
(c) Tsunami warning system
The program under this section shall operate a tsunami warning system that—
(1) is capable of forecasting tsunami, including forecasting tsunami arrival time and inundation estimates, anywhere
in the Pacific and Arctic Ocean regions and providing adequate warnings;
(2) is capable of forecasting and providing adequate warnings, including tsunami arrival time and inundation models
where applicable, in areas of the Atlantic Ocean, including the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico, that are determined
—
(A) to be geologically active, or to have significant potential for geological activity; and
(B) to pose significant risks of tsunami for States along the coastal areas of the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, or
Gulf of Mexico; and
(3) supports other international tsunami forecasting and warning efforts.
(d) Tsunami warning centers
(1) In general
The Administrator shall support or maintain centers to support the tsunami warning system required by subsection
(c). The Centers 1 shall include—
(A) the National Tsunami Warning Center, located in Alaska, which is primarily responsible for Alaska and the
continental United States;
(B) the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, located in Hawaii, which is primarily responsible for Hawaii, the
Caribbean, and other areas of the Pacific not covered by the National Center; and
(C) any additional forecast and warning centers determined by the National Weather Service to be necessary.
(2) Responsibilities
The responsibilities of the centers supported or maintained under paragraph (1) shall include the following:
(A) Continuously monitoring data from seismological, deep ocean, coastal sea level, and tidal monitoring stations
and other data sources as may be developed and deployed.
(B) Evaluating earthquakes, landslides, and volcanic eruptions that have the potential to generate tsunami.
(C) Evaluating deep ocean buoy data and tidal monitoring stations for indications of tsunami resulting from
earthquakes and other sources.
(D) To the extent practicable, utilizing a range of models, including ensemble models, to predict tsunami, including
arrival times, flooding estimates, coastal and harbor currents, and duration.

(E) Using data from the Integrated Ocean Observing System of the Administration in coordination with regional
associations to calculate new inundation estimates and periodically update existing inundation estimates.
(F) Disseminating forecasts and tsunami warning bulletins to Federal, State, tribal, and local government officials
and the public.
(G) Coordinating with the tsunami hazard mitigation program conducted under section 3204 of this title to ensure
ongoing sharing of information between forecasters and emergency management officials.
(H) In coordination with the Commandant of the Coast Guard and the Administrator of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency, evaluating and recommending procedures for ports and harbors at risk of tsunami inundation,
including review of readiness, response, and communication strategies, and data sharing policies, to the maximum
extent practicable.
(I) Making data gathered under this chapter and post-warning analyses conducted by the National Weather
Service or other relevant Administration offices available to the public.
(J) Integrating and modernizing the program operated under this section with advances in tsunami science to
improve performance without compromising service.
(3) Fail-safe warning capability
The tsunami warning centers supported or maintained under paragraph (1) shall maintain a fail-safe warning
capability and perform back-up duties for each other.
(4) Coordination with National Weather Service
The Administrator shall coordinate with the forecast offices of the National Weather Service, the centers supported
or maintained under paragraph (1), and such program offices of the Administration as the Administrator or the
coordinating committee, as established in section 3204(d) 2 of this title, consider appropriate to ensure that regional
and local forecast offices—
(A) have the technical knowledge and capability to disseminate tsunami warnings for the communities they serve;
(B) leverage connections with local emergency management officials for optimally disseminating tsunami
warnings and forecasts; and
(C) implement mass communication tools in effect on the day before April 18, 2017, used by the National Weather
Service on such date and newer mass communication technologies as they are developed as a part of the WeatherReady Nation program of the Administration, or otherwise, for the purpose of timely and effective delivery of tsunami
warnings.
(5) Uniform operating procedures
The Administrator shall—
(A) develop uniform operational procedures for the centers supported or maintained under paragraph (1),
including the use of software applications, checklists, decision support tools, and tsunami warning products that
have been standardized across the program supported under this section;
(B) ensure that processes and products of the warning system operated under subsection (c)—
(i) reflect industry best practices when practicable;
(ii) conform to the maximum extent practicable with internationally recognized standards for information
technology; and
(iii) conform to the maximum extent practicable with other warning products and practices of the National
Weather Service;
(C) ensure that future adjustments to operational protocols, processes, and warning products—
(i) are made consistently across the warning system operated under subsection (c); and
(ii) are applied in a uniform manner across such warning system;
(D) establish a systematic method for information technology product development to improve long-term
technology planning efforts; and
(E) disseminate guidelines and metrics for evaluating and improving tsunami forecast models.
(6) Available resources
The Administrator, through the National Weather Service, shall ensure that resources are available to fulfill the
obligations of this chapter. This includes ensuring supercomputing resources are available to run, as rapidly as
possible, such computer models as are needed for purposes of the tsunami warning system operated under
subsection (c).
(e) Transfer of technology; maintenance and upgrades
In carrying out this section, the Administrator shall—
(1) develop requirements for the equipment used to forecast tsunami, including—
(A) provisions for multipurpose detection platforms;
(B) reliability and performance metrics; and
(C) to the maximum extent practicable, requirements for the integration of equipment with other United States and
global ocean and coastal observation systems, the global Earth observing system of systems, the global seismic

networks, and the Advanced National Seismic System;
(2) develop and execute a plan for the transfer of technology from ongoing research conducted as part of the
program supported or maintained under section 3205 of this title into the program under this section; and
(3) ensure that the Administration's operational tsunami detection equipment is properly maintained.
(f) Federal cooperation
When deploying and maintaining tsunami detection technologies under the program under this section, the
Administrator shall—
(1) identify which assets of other Federal agencies are necessary to support such program; and
(2) work with each agency identified under paragraph (1)—
(A) to acquire the agency's assistance; and
(B) to prioritize the necessary assets in support of the tsunami forecast and warning program.
(g) Congressional notifications
(1) In general
The Administrator shall notify the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the
Committee on Science of the House of Representatives within 30 days of—
(A) impaired regional forecasting capabilities due to equipment or system failures;
(B) significant contractor failures or delays in completing work associated with the tsunami forecasting and
warning system; and
(C) the occurrence of a significant tsunami warning.
(2) Contents
In a case in which notice is submitted under paragraph (1) within 30 days of a significant tsunami warning described
in subparagraph (C) of such paragraph, such notice shall include, as appropriate, brief information and analysis of—
(A) the accuracy of the tsunami model used;
(B) the specific deep ocean or other monitoring equipment that detected the incident, as well as the deep ocean
or other monitoring equipment that did not detect the incident due to malfunction or other reasons;
(C) the effectiveness of the warning communication, including the dissemination of warnings with State, territory,
local, and tribal partners in the affected area under the jurisdiction of the National Weather Service; and
(D) such other findings as the Administrator considers appropriate.
(Pub. L. 109–424, §4, Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 2903; Pub. L. 109–479, title VIII, §804, Jan. 12, 2007, 120 Stat. 3654;
Pub. L. 115–25, title V, §§504, 512(a), Apr. 18, 2017, 131 Stat. 116, 128.)
Editorial Notes

References in Text
Section 3205 of this title, referred to in subsec. (e)(2), was in the original "section 6", meaning section 6 of
Pub. L. 109–424, and was translated as if it referred to section 806 of Pub. L. 109–479, which enacted a
substantially identical section 3205 of this title. Section 6 of Pub. L. 109–424 was repealed by section 512(a) of
Pub. L. 115–25.

Codification
Pub. L. 109–424 and title VIII of Pub. L. 109–479 enacted substantially identical sections. Pub. L. 109–424
was repealed by section 512(a) of Pub. L. 115–25.

Amendments
2017—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 115–25, §504(a), substituted "Atlantic Ocean region, including the Caribbean
Sea and the Gulf of Mexico" for "Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico region".
Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 115–25, §504(b)(1), substituted "supported or maintained" for "established".
Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 115–25, §504(b)(4), added par. (2). Former par. (2) redesignated (3).
Subsec. (b)(3), (4). Pub. L. 115–25, §504(b)(3), redesignated pars. (2) and (3) as (3) and (4), respectively.
Former par. (4) redesignated (5).
Subsec. (b)(5). Pub. L. 115–25, §504(b)(5), amended par. (5) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (5) read
as follows: "provide tsunami forecasting capability based on models and measurements, including tsunami
inundation models and maps for use in increasing the preparedness of communities, including through the
TsunamiReady program;".
Pub. L. 115–25, §504(b)(3), redesignated par. (4) as (5). Former par. (5) redesignated (6).
Subsec. (b)(6). Pub. L. 115–25, §504(b)(3), redesignated par. (5) as (6). Former par. (6) redesignated (7).

Subsec. (b)(7). Pub. L. 115–25, §504(b)(6), amended par. (7) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (7) read
as follows: "include a cooperative effort among the Administration, the United States Geological Survey,
and the National Science Foundation under which the Geological Survey and the National Science
Foundation shall provide rapid and reliable seismic information to the Administration from international and
domestic seismic networks;".
Pub. L. 115–25, §504(b)(3), redesignated par. (6) as (7). Former par. (7) redesignated (8).
Subsec. (b)(8). Pub. L. 115–25, §504(b)(2), (7), redesignated par. (7) as (8) and inserted ", including
graphical warning products," after "warnings", ", territories," after "States" and "and Wireless Emergency
Alerts" after "Hazards Program". Former par. (8) redesignated (9).
Subsec. (b)(9). Pub. L. 115–25, §504(b)(2), (8), redesignated par. (8) as (9) and inserted "provide and"
before "allow" and "and commercial and Federal undersea communications cables" after "observing
technologies". Former par. (9) redesignated (10).
Subsec. (b)(10). Pub. L. 115–25, §504(b)(2), redesignated par. (9) as (10).
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 115–25, §504(c), amended subsec. (c) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (c)
related to tsunami warning system areas.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 115–25, §504(d), amended subsec. (d) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (d)
related to the location of tsunami warning centers and the responsibilities of the centers.
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 115–25, §504(e), amended subsec. (e) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (e)
related to the National Weather Service's responsibilities regarding tsunami equipment and technology.
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 115–25, §504(f), amended subsec. (f) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as
follows: "When deploying and maintaining tsunami detection technologies, the Administrator shall seek the
assistance and assets of other appropriate Federal agencies."
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 115–25, §504(h), designated existing provisions as par. (1) and inserted heading,
redesignated former pars. (1) and (2) as subpars. (A) and (B), respectively, of par. (1) and realigned
margins, added subpar. (C) of par. (1), and added par. (2).
Pub. L. 115–25, §504(g)(1), (3), redesignated subsec. (h) as (g) and struck out former subsec. (g) which
related to annual equipment certification.
Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 115–25, §504(g)(3), redesignated subsec. (h) as (g).
Subsecs. (i) to (k). Pub. L. 115–25, §504(g)(2), struck out subsecs. (i) to (k) which related to Comptroller
General report, external review by the National Academy of Sciences, and establishment of a process for
monitoring and certifying contractor performance, respectively.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Change of Name
Committee on Science of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Science and Technology
of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 6, One Hundred Tenth Congress, Jan. 5, 2007.
Committee on Science and Technology of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Science,
Space, and Technology of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 5, One Hundred Twelfth
Congress, Jan. 5, 2011.
1 So in original.
2 So in original. Probably should be "section 3204(b)".

§3204. National tsunami hazard mitigation program
(a) Program required
The Administrator, in coordination with the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the
heads of such other agencies as the Administrator considers relevant, shall conduct a community-based tsunami hazard
mitigation program to improve tsunami preparedness and resiliency of at-risk areas in the United States and the
territories of the United States.
(b) Coordinating committee
In conducting the program under this section, the Administrator shall establish a coordinating committee comprising
representatives of Federal, State, local, and tribal government officials. The Administrator may establish subcommittees
to address region-specific issues. The committee shall—
(1) recommend how funds appropriated for carrying out the program under this section will be allocated;

(2) ensure that areas described in section 3203(c) of this title in the United States and its territories can have the
opportunity to participate in the program;
(3) provide recommendations to the National Weather Service on how to improve the TsunamiReady program,
particularly on ways to make communities more tsunami resilient through the use of inundation maps and other
mitigation practices; and
(4) ensure that all components of the program are integrated with ongoing hazard warning and risk management
activities, emergency response plans, and mitigation programs in affected areas, including integrating information to
assist in tsunami evacuation route planning.
(c) Program components
The Program conducted under subsection (a) shall include the following:
(1) Technical and financial assistance to coastal States, territories, tribes, and local governments to develop and
implement activities under this section.
(2) Integration of tsunami preparedness and mitigation programs into ongoing State-based hazard warning,
resilience planning, and risk management activities, including predisaster planning, emergency response, evacuation
planning, disaster recovery, hazard mitigation, and community development and redevelopment planning programs in
affected areas.
(3) Coordination with other Federal preparedness and mitigation programs to leverage Federal investment, avoid
duplication, and maximize effort.
(4) Activities to promote the adoption of tsunami resilience, preparedness, warning, and mitigation measures by
Federal, State, territorial, tribal, and local governments and nongovernmental entities, including educational and risk
communication programs to discourage development in high-risk areas.
(5) Activities to support the development of regional tsunami hazard and risk assessments. Such regional risk
assessments may include the following:
(A) The sources, sizes, and other relevant historical data of tsunami in the region, including paleotsunami data.
(B) Inundation models and maps of critical infrastructure and socioeconomic vulnerability in areas subject to
tsunami inundation.
(C) Maps of evacuation areas and evacuation routes, including, when appropriate, traffic studies that evaluate the
viability of evacuation routes.
(D) Evaluations of the size of populations that will require evacuation, including populations with special
evacuation needs.
(E) Evaluations and technical assistance for vertical evacuation structure planning for communities where models
indicate limited or no ability for timely evacuation, especially in areas at risk of near shore generated tsunami.
(F) Evaluation of at-risk ports and harbors.
(G) Evaluation of the effect of tsunami currents on the foundations of closely-spaced, coastal high-rise structures.
(6) Activities to promote preparedness in at-risk ports and harbors, including the following:
(A) Evaluation and recommendation of procedures for ports and harbors in the event of a distant or near-field
tsunami.
(B) A review of readiness, response, and communication strategies to ensure coordination and data sharing with
the Coast Guard.
(7) Activities to support the development of community-based outreach and education programs to ensure
community readiness and resilience, including the following:
(A) The development, implementation, and assessment of technical training and public education programs,
including education programs that address unique characteristics of distant and near-field tsunami.
(B) The development of decision support tools.
(C) The incorporation of social science research into community readiness and resilience efforts.
(D) The development of evidence-based education guidelines.
(8) Dissemination of guidelines and standards for community planning, education, and training products, programs,
and tools, including—
(A) standards for—
(i) mapping products;
(ii) inundation models; and
(iii) effective emergency exercises; and
(B) recommended guidance for at-risk port and harbor tsunami warning, evacuation, and response procedures in
coordination with the Coast Guard and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
(d) Authorized activities
In addition to activities conducted under subsection (c), the program conducted under subsection (a) may include the
following:

(1) Multidisciplinary vulnerability assessment research, education, and training to help integrate risk management
and resilience objectives with community development planning and policies.
(2) Risk management training for local officials and community organizations to enhance understanding and
preparedness.
(3) In coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, interagency, Federal, State, tribal, and
territorial intergovernmental tsunami response exercise planning and implementation in high risk areas.
(4) Development of practical applications for existing or emerging technologies, such as modeling, remote sensing,
geospatial technology, engineering, and observing systems, including the integration of tsunami sensors into Federal
and commercial submarine telecommunication cables if practicable.
(5) Risk management, risk assessment, and resilience data and information services, including—
(A) access to data and products derived from observing and detection systems; and
(B) development and maintenance of new integrated data products to support risk management, risk assessment,
and resilience programs.
(6) Risk notification systems that coordinate with and build upon existing systems and actively engage
decisionmakers, State, local, tribal, and territorial governments and agencies, business communities,
nongovernmental organizations, and the media.
(e) No preemption with respect to designation of at-risk areas
The establishment of national standards for inundation models under this section shall not prevent States, territories,
tribes, and local governments from designating additional areas as being at risk based on knowledge of local conditions.
(f) No new regulatory authority
Nothing in this chapter may be construed as establishing new regulatory authority for any Federal agency.
(Pub. L. 109–424, §5, Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 2906; Pub. L. 109–479, title VIII, §805, Jan. 12, 2007, 120 Stat. 3657;
Pub. L. 115–25, title V, §§505(a), (b), 512(a), Apr. 18, 2017, 131 Stat. 121, 128.)
Editorial Notes

Codification
Pub. L. 109–424 and title VIII of Pub. L. 109–479 enacted substantially identical sections. Pub. L. 109–424
was repealed by section 512(a) of Pub. L. 115–25.

Amendments
2017—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 115–25, §505(a), amended subsec. (a) generally. Prior to amendment, text
read as follows: "The Administrator, through the National Weather Service and in consultation with other
relevant Administration offices, shall conduct a community-based tsunami hazard mitigation program to
improve tsunami preparedness of at-risk areas in the United States and its territories."
Subsecs. (c) to (f). Pub. L. 115–25, §505(b), added subsecs. (c) to (f) and struck out former subsecs. (c)
and (d) which related to program components and provided a savings clause, respectively.

§3205. Tsunami research program
(a) In general
The Administrator shall, in consultation with such other Federal agencies, State, tribal, and territorial governments,
and academic institutions as the Administrator considers appropriate, the coordinating committee under section
3204(d) 1 of this title, and the panel under section 3206a(a) of this title, support or maintain a tsunami research program
to develop detection, forecast, communication, and mitigation science and technology, including advanced sensing
techniques, information and communication technology, data collection, analysis, assessment for tsunami tracking and
numerical forecast modeling, and standards development.
(b) Responsibilities
The research program supported or maintained under subsection (a) shall—
(1) consider other appropriate and cost effective solutions to mitigate the impact of tsunami, including the
improvement of near-field and distant tsunami detection and forecasting capabilities, which may include use of a new
generation of the Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunamis array, integration of tsunami sensors into
commercial and Federal telecommunications cables, and other real-time tsunami monitoring systems and
supercomputer capacity of the Administration to develop a rapid tsunami forecast for all United States coastlines;
(2) coordinate with the National Weather Service on technology to be transferred to operations;
(3) conduct social science research to develop and assess community warning, education, and evacuation
materials;

(4) develop the technical basis for validation of tsunami maps, numerical tsunami models, digital elevation models,
and forecasts; and
(5) ensure that research and findings are available to the public and the scientific community.
(Pub. L. 109–424, §6, Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 2907; Pub. L. 109–479, title VIII, §806, Jan. 12, 2007, 120 Stat. 3658;
Pub. L. 115–25, title V, §§506, 512(a), Apr. 18, 2017, 131 Stat. 123, 128.)
Editorial Notes

Codification
Pub. L. 109–424 and title VIII of Pub. L. 109–479 enacted substantially identical sections. Pub. L. 109–424
was repealed by section 512(a) of Pub. L. 115–25.

Amendments
2017—Pub. L. 115–25, §506(1), (2), designated first and second sentences of existing provisions as
subsecs. (a) and (b), respectively, and inserted headings.
Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 115–25, §506(1), (2), substituted "The Administrator shall, in consultation with such
other Federal agencies, State, tribal, and territorial governments, and academic institutions as the
Administrator considers appropriate, the coordinating committee under section 3204(d) of this title, and the
panel under section 3206a(a) of this title, support or maintain" for "The Administrator shall, in consultation with
other agencies and academic institutions, and with the coordinating committee established under section
3204(b) of this title, establish or maintain" and "assessment for tsunami tracking and numerical forecast
modeling, and standards development." for "and assessment for tsunami tracking and numerical forecast
modeling."
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 115–25, §506(2), substituted "The research program supported or maintained under
subsection (a) shall—" for "Such research program shall—".
Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 115–25, §506(3)(A), amended par. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (1) read
as follows: "consider other appropriate research to mitigate the impact of tsunami;".
Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 115–25, §506(3)(B), substituted "conduct" for "include" and struck out "and" at end.
Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 115–25, §506(3)(D), added par. (4). Former par. (4) redesignated (5).
Subsec. (b)(5). Pub. L. 115–25, §506(3)(C), (E), redesignated par. (4) as (5) and substituted "to the public
and the scientific community" for "to the scientific community".
1 So in original. Probably should read "section 3204(b)".

§3206. Global tsunami warning and mitigation network
(a) Support for development of an international tsunami warning system
The Administrator shall, in coordination with the Secretary of State and in consultation with such other agencies as the
Administrator considers relevant, provide technical assistance, operational support, and training to the
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization,
the World Meteorological Organization of the United Nations, and such other international entities as the Administrator
considers appropriate, as part of the international efforts to develop a fully functional global tsunami forecast and
warning system comprised of regional tsunami warning networks.
(b) International Tsunami Information Center
The Administrator, through the National Weather Service and in consultation with other relevant Administration offices,
in cooperation with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, may operate an International Tsunami
Information Center to improve tsunami preparedness for all Pacific Ocean nations participating in the International
Tsunami Warning System of the Pacific, and may also provide such assistance to other nations participating in a global
tsunami warning system established through the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission. As part of its
responsibilities around the world, the Center may—
(1) monitor international tsunami warning activities around the world;
(2) assist member states in establishing national warning systems, and make information available on current
technologies for tsunami warning systems;
(3) maintain a library of materials to promulgate knowledge about tsunami in general and for use by the scientific
community; and
(4) disseminate information, including educational materials and research reports.
(c) Detection equipment; technical advice and training
In carrying out this section, the National Weather Service—

(1) shall give priority to assisting nations in identifying vulnerable coastal areas, creating inundation maps, obtaining
or designing real-time detection and reporting equipment, and supporting communication and warning networks and
contact points in each vulnerable nation;
(2) may support a process for transfer of detection and communication technology to affected nations for the
purposes of supporting the international tsunami warning system; and
(3) shall provide technical and other assistance to support international tsunami programs.
(d) Data-sharing requirement
The National Weather Service, when deciding to provide assistance under this section, may take into consideration
the data sharing policies and practices of nations proposed to receive such assistance, with a goal to encourage all
nations to support full and open exchange of data.
(Pub. L. 109–424, §7, Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 2907; Pub. L. 109–479, title VIII, §807, Jan. 12, 2007, 120 Stat. 3659;
Pub. L. 115–25, title V, §§507, 512(a), Apr. 18, 2017, 131 Stat. 124, 128.)
Editorial Notes

Codification
Pub. L. 109–424 and title VIII of Pub. L. 109–479 enacted substantially identical sections. Pub. L. 109–424
was repealed by section 512(a) of Pub. L. 115–25.

Amendments
2017—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 115–25, §507(1), amended subsec. (a) generally. Prior to amendment, text

read as follows: "The Administrator, through the National Weather Service and in consultation with other
relevant Administration offices, in coordination with other members of the United States Interagency
Committee of the National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program, shall provide technical assistance and
training to the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, the World Meteorological Organization, and
other international entities, as part of international efforts to develop a fully functional global tsunami
forecast and warning system comprising regional tsunami warning networks, modeled on the International
Tsunami Warning System of the Pacific."
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 115–25, §507(2), in introductory provisions, substituted "may operate" for "shall
operate" and "the Center may" for "the Center shall".
Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 115–25, §507(3)(A), substituted "supporting" for "establishing".
Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 115–25, §507(3)(B), substituted "support" for "establish" and "supporting" for
"establishing".

§3206a. Tsunami Science and Technology Advisory Panel
(a) Designation
The Administrator shall designate an existing working group within the Science Advisory Board of the Administration to
serve as the Tsunami Science and Technology Advisory Panel to provide advice to the Administrator on matters
regarding tsunami science, technology, and regional preparedness.
(b) Membership
(1) Composition
The Panel shall be composed of no fewer than 7 members selected by the Administrator from among individuals
from academia or State agencies who have academic or practical expertise in physical sciences, social sciences,
information technology, coastal resilience, emergency management, or such other disciplines as the Administrator
considers appropriate.
(2) Federal employment
No member of the Panel may be a Federal employee.
(c) Responsibilities
Not less frequently than once every 4 years, the Panel shall—
(1) review the activities of the Administration, and other Federal activities as appropriate, relating to tsunami
research, detection, forecasting, warning, mitigation, resiliency, and preparation; and
(2) submit to the Administrator and such others as the Administrator considers appropriate—
(A) the findings of the working group with respect to the most recent review conducted under paragraph (1); and
(B) such recommendations for legislative or administrative action as the working group considers appropriate to
improve Federal tsunami research, detection, forecasting, warning, mitigation, resiliency, and preparation.

(d) Reports to Congress
Not less frequently than once every 4 years, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science,
and Transportation of the Senate, and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of
Representatives a report on the findings and recommendations received by the Administrator under subsection (c)(2).
(Pub. L. 109–479, title VIII, §808, as added Pub. L. 115–25, title V, §508(a)(2), Apr. 18, 2017, 131 Stat. 125.)
Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions
A prior section 808 of Pub. L. 109–479 was renumbered section 809 and is classified to section 3207 of this

title.

§3207. Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator to carry out this chapter—
(1) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2008, of which—
(A) not less than 27 percent of the amount appropriated shall be for the tsunami hazard mitigation program under
section 3204 of this title; and
(B) not less than 8 percent of the amount appropriated shall be for the tsunami research program under section
3205 of this title;
(2) $26,000,000 for fiscal year 2009, of which—
(A) not less than 27 percent of the amount appropriated shall be for the tsunami hazard mitigation program under
section 3204 of this title; and
(B) not less than 8 percent of the amount appropriated shall be for the tsunami research program under section
3205 of this title;
(3) $27,000,000 for fiscal year 2010, of which—
(A) not less than 27 percent of the amount appropriated shall be for the tsunami hazard mitigation program under
section 3204 of this title; and
(B) not less than 8 percent of the amount appropriated shall be for the tsunami research program under section
3205 of this title;
(4) $28,000,000 for fiscal year 2011, of which—
(A) not less than 27 percent of the amount appropriated shall be for the tsunami hazard mitigation program under
section 3204 of this title; and
(B) not less than 8 percent of the amount appropriated shall be for the tsunami research program under section
3205 of this title;
(5) $29,000,000 for fiscal year 2012, of which—
(A) not less than 27 percent of the amount appropriated shall be for the tsunami hazard mitigation program under
section 3204 of this title; and
(B) not less than 8 percent of the amount appropriated shall be for the tsunami research program under section
3205 of this title; and
(6) $25,800,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2021, of which—
(A) not less than 27 percent of the amount appropriated for each fiscal year shall be for activities conducted at the
State level under the tsunami hazard mitigation program under section 3204 of this title; and
(B) not less than 8 percent of the amount appropriated shall be for the tsunami research program under section
3205 of this title.
(Pub. L. 109–424, §8, Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 2908; Pub. L. 109–479, title VIII, §809, formerly §808, Jan. 12, 2007, 120
Stat. 3660; renumbered §809 and amended Pub. L. 115–25, title V, §§508(a)(1), 510, 512(a), Apr. 18, 2017, 131 Stat.
124, 127, 128.)
Editorial Notes

Codification
Pub. L. 109–424 and title VIII of Pub. L. 109–479 enacted substantially identical sections. Pub. L. 109–424
was repealed by section 512(a) of Pub. L. 115–25.

Amendments
2017—Par. (6). Pub. L. 115–25, §510, which directed the addition of par. (6) to this section "as
redesignated by section __08(a)(1)" of Pub. L. 115–25, was executed by adding par. (6) to this section as
redesignated by section 508(a)(1) of Pub. L. 115–25, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

§3208. Outreach responsibilities
The Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, in coordination with State and local
emergency managers, shall develop and carry out formal outreach activities to improve tsunami education and
awareness and foster the development of resilient communities. Outreach activities may include—
(1) the development of outreach plans to ensure the close integration of tsunami warning centers supported or
maintained under section 3203(d) of this title, as amended by this Act, with local Weather Forecast Offices of the
National Weather Service and emergency managers;
(2) working with appropriate local Weather Forecast Offices to ensure they have the technical knowledge and
capability to disseminate tsunami warnings to the communities they serve; and
(3) evaluating the effectiveness of warnings and of coordination with local Weather Forecast Offices after significant
tsunami events.
(Pub. L. 115–25, title V, §511, Apr. 18, 2017, 131 Stat. 127.)
Editorial Notes

References in Text
Section 3203(d) of this title, as amended by this Act, referred to in par. (1), means section 3203(d) of this title,
as amended by Pub. L. 115–25.

Codification
Section was enacted as part of the Tsunami Warning, Education, and Research Act of 2017, and also as
part of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017, and not as part of the Tsunami
Warning and Education Act which comprises this chapter.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Definitions
For definition of "State" as used in this section, see section 8501 of Title 15, Commerce and Trade.