Landslide Preparedness Reauthorization

Summary#

This bill reauthorizes and updates the National Landslide Preparedness Act through 2030. It adds clear definitions for "atmospheric river," "atmospheric river flooding event," and "extreme precipitation event." The bill requires the national landslide strategy to assess landslide risks from atmospheric rivers and extreme precipitation. It expands the national landslide hazards database to identify areas needing more risk assessment, including places affected by changing hydrology, atmospheric river events, geologic activity, or poor monitoring. The bill adds partners and beneficiaries such as Tribal organizations, Native Hawaiian organizations, and institutions of higher education. It creates regional partnerships (including in Alaska) for regional landslide research and monitoring. The bill updates the debris-flow early warning and emergency response provisions to include additional stakeholders and new risk sources (for example, thawing permafrost and glacial retreat). It adds the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to the interagency coordinating committee. The bill also amends the 3D Elevation Program to include derivative products, data processing and integration, and a 3D Hydrography Program Working Group, and corrects a typographical error in program language.

What it means for you#

• Communities in areas at risk of landslides may see more data, mapping, and outreach focused on risks from heavy precipitation and atmospheric rivers.
• Tribal organizations and Native Hawaiian organizations are explicitly included as partners and eligible recipients of assistance and grants.
• Universities with landslide expertise may become regional partners for mapping and monitoring work.
• The bill directs support for early warning systems and expanded monitoring in high-risk areas.

Expenses#

• The bill directs that $35,000,000 from amounts appropriated or otherwise made available to the United States Geological Survey shall be used to carry out this section, and specifies that not less than $10,000,000 of that amount must be used for purchase, deployment, and repair of landslide early warning systems in high-risk areas.
• The bill extends program authorization through 2030.
• No publicly available information about additional or specific administrative or downstream costs beyond the amounts and uses stated in the bill text.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.