To Reauthorize the Pre-Disaster Hazard Mitigation Program
by Representative Andre CarsonPosted on 2015-02-10
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CARSON
of indiana
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to introduce a bill
to amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act to reauthorize the pre-disaster hazard mitigation
program.
First authorized in 2000, the pre-disaster hazard mitigation program
has a proven history of saving taxpayer money by investing in cost
effective projects that are designed to reduce injuries, loss of life,
and damage and destruction of property in the event of a disaster. As
the old adage goes: an ounce of prevention is worth its weight in gold.
This is true for the pre-disaster hazard mitigation program. In 2005,
the Multi Hazard Mitigation Council of the National Institute of
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Building Sciences found that for every $1 spent on mitigation, $4 was
saved in potential disaster costs. Other corollary benefits and
indirect savings at the local level and within the business sector were
also identified. Moreover, the Congressional Budget Office confirmed
the cost savings of the program. Using a different analysis, the CBO
found in 2007 that for every $1 spent on mitigation, $3 was saved in
potential disaster costs.
But it is not just empirical studies that have confirmed the benefits
of this program. There are numerous examples of flood control projects,
voluntary acquisitions of real property located in flood zones, and the
construction of safe rooms that have saved lives and prevented future
damage. Areas that have experienced flood damage in the past, and have
flooded again, experienced reduced or no damage thanks to effective
mitigation. For instance, in Iowa, pre-disaster mitigation funds were
used to purchase riverfront homes from homeowners that had suffered
flood damage and then converted to green space. When the area
subsequently flooded again, there was no new damage, thanks to the pre-
disaster mitigation efforts.
With today's ongoing fiscal challenges, increasingly severe storms,
and escalating effects of climate change, it makes sense for our
country to prepare for these disasters now in order to prevent or
reduce damage. Smart planning to mitigate the adverse impact of
disasters not only saves lives, but saves money--especially over the
long run.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy when there were initial damage
estimates in the billions of dollars, many Members from both sides of
the aisle streamed to the floor to express sympathy to the victims, as
well as decry the extent of the damage and large costs. This program
represents an opportunity to curb similar costs in the future while
also saving lives and protecting property.
It is time to reauthorize the Pre-Disaster Hazard Mitigation Program
at a sufficient level to make an impact. I urge my colleagues to
support this measure.
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