Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata has expressed her support for the passage of H.R. 3176, a bill that reauthorizes the National Volcano Early Warning and Monitoring System (NVEWS) through fiscal year 2030. The system is designed to monitor active and hazardous volcanoes in order to provide timely evacuation warnings to nearby communities. The bill, introduced by Representative Nick Begich from Alaska and cosponsored by Amata, was approved unanimously during a House Committee on Natural Resources meeting.
The NVEWS plan ensures that 170 U.S. volcanoes are monitored based on their threat levels, as developed by the U.S. Geological Survey’s Volcano Hazards Program in collaboration with state and academic institutions. Originally established under the John D. Dingell, Jr., Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act of 2019, NVEWS is now due for reauthorization.
“In American Samoa, our chief related focus on this important issue is the possibility of a tsunami, and our known volcanic activity in our region is from seamounts,” said Congresswoman Aumua Amata. “I support continuing research and monitoring in this critical field of study including this program so expertise and resources are rapidly available whenever American Samoa might need it, as well as the protection of these other sites and their communities in the vicinity of potential activity.”
In addition to H.R. 3176, the committee also passed several other bills aimed at improving natural disaster preparedness:
– H.R. 3168: The National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of 2025 was introduced by Representative David Valadao from California. This act extends funding for seismic activity monitoring programs through fiscal year 2030.
– H.R. 2250: Introduced by Representative Suzan DelBene from Washington, this bill reauthorizes the National Landslides Preparedness Act through fiscal year 2030. It allows for data collection by USGS to help states reduce losses from landslides.
– H.R. 183: The Law Enforcement Officer and Firefighter Recreational Pass Act was introduced by Representative Tom McClintock from California to amend existing legislation providing free lifetime public lands passes for law enforcement officers and firefighters.
These legislative actions underscore ongoing efforts to enhance national readiness against various natural hazards.
