Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 91.djvu/1133

 PUBLIC LAW 95-124—OCT. 7, 1977 tions in the private sector and governmental units at Federal, State, and local levels. The current capability to transfer knowledge and information to these sectors is insufficient. Improved mechanisms are needed to translate existing information and research findings into reasonable and usable specifications, criteria, and practices so that individuals, organizations, and governmental units may make informed decisions and take appropriate actions. (9) Severe earthquakes are a worldwide problem. Since damaging earthquakes occur infrequently in any one nation, international cooperation is desirable for mutual learning from limited experiences. (10) A n effective Federal program in earthquake hazards reduction will require input from and review by persons outside the Federal Government expert in the sciences of earthquake hazards reduction and in the practical application of earthquake hazards reduction measures. SEC. 3. PURPOSE. I t is the purpose of the Congress in this Act to reduce the risks of life and property from future earthquakes in the United States through the establishment and maintenance of an effective earthquake hazards reduction program. SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS. As used in this Act, unless the context otherwise requires: (1) The term "includes" and variants tnereof should be read as if the phrase "but is not limited to " were also set forth. (2) The term " program " means the earthquake hazards reduc' tion program established under section 5. (3) The term "seismic" and variants thereof mean having to do with, or caused by earthquakes. (4) The term " State " means each of the States of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Mariana Islands, and any other territory or possession of the United States. (5) The term "United States" means, when used in a geographical sense, all of the States as defined in section 4(4). SEC. 5. NATIONAL EARTHQUAKE HAZARDS REDUCTION PROGRAM. (a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The President shall establish and maintain, in accordance with the provisions and policy of this Act, a coordinated earthquake hazards reduction program, which shall— (1) be designed and administered to achieve the objectives set forth in subsection (c); (2) involve, where appropriate, each of the agencies listed in subsection (d); and (3) include each of the elements described in subsection (e), the implementation plan described in subsection (f), and the assistance to the States specified in subsection (g). (b) DUTIES.—The President shall— (1) within 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, designate the Federal department, agency, or entity responsible for the development of the implementation plan described in subsection (f); (2) within 210 days after such date of enactment, submit to the appropriate authorizing committees of the Congress the implementation plan described in subsection (f); and

91 STAT. 1099

42 USC 7702.

42 USC 7703.

42 USC 7704.

Plan, submittal to congressional committees.

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