---
kind: "section"
citation: "43 U.S.C. § 3102"
title: "43"
title_heading: "Public Lands"
number: "3102"
heading: "National Landslide Hazards Reduction Program"
release: "119-102"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/43/3102"
units:
  - "Chapter 49 — National Landslide Preparedness"
---

# §3102. National Landslide Hazards Reduction Program

- (a) **Establishment—** The [Secretary](/usc/43/3101.md?p=8) shall establish a [program](/usc/43/2401.md?p=7), to be known as the “National Landslide Hazards Reduction [Program](/usc/43/2401.md?p=7)” (referred to in this section as the “[program](/usc/43/2401.md?p=7)”)—
  - (1) to identify and understand landslide hazards and risks;
  - (2) to reduce losses from landslides;
  - (3) to protect communities at risk of landslide hazards; and
  - (4) to help improve communication and emergency preparedness, including by coordinating with communities and entities responsible for infrastructure that are at risk of landslide hazards.
- (b) **Description of program—**
  - (1) **Program activities—** The [Secretary](/usc/43/3101.md?p=8), in coordination with the Interagency Coordinating [Committee](/usc/43/2801.md?p=2) on Landslide Hazards established by [subsection (c)(1)](#c-1) (referred to in this section as the “[Committee](/usc/43/2801.md?p=2)”) and in coordination with existing activities of the United States Geological [Survey](/usc/43/31b.md?p=10) and other Federal agencies, shall—
    - (A) identify, map, assess, and research landslide hazards;
    - (B) respond to landslide events; and
    - (C) in coordination with [State offices](/usc/43/3101.md?p=10), units of local government, [territories](/usc/43/3101.md?p=11), and [Indian tribes](/usc/43/3101.md?p=5)—
      - (i) establish working groups with [State offices](/usc/43/3101.md?p=10), units of local government, [territories](/usc/43/3101.md?p=11), and [Indian tribes](/usc/43/3101.md?p=5) to identify regional and local priorities for researching, identifying, mapping, and assessing landslide hazards; and
      - (ii) develop and implement landslide hazard guidelines for—
        - (I) geologists;
        - (II) geological and geotechnical engineers;
        - (III) emergency management personnel; and
        - (IV) land use and other decisionmakers.
  - (2) **National strategy—** Not later than 1 year after January 5, 2021, and every 5 years thereafter, the [Secretary](/usc/43/3101.md?p=8), in coordination with the [Committee](/usc/43/2801.md?p=2), shall develop and publish a national strategy for landslide hazards, risk reduction, and response in the United States (including [territories](/usc/43/3101.md?p=11)), which shall include—
    - (A) goals and priorities for the [program](/usc/43/2401.md?p=7);
    - (B) priorities for data acquisition, research, communications, and risk management on landslides and landslide hazards across relevant Federal agencies; and
    - (C) a detailed interagency plan, which shall take into consideration national disaster preparedness, response, and recovery frameworks, to carry out the national strategy, including details about the [programs](/usc/43/2401.md?p=7), projects, and budgets that will be used to implement the national strategy.
  - (3) **National landslide hazards database—** In carrying out the [program](/usc/43/2401.md?p=7), the [Secretary](/usc/43/3101.md?p=8), in coordination with [State offices](/usc/43/3101.md?p=10), units of local government, [territories](/usc/43/3101.md?p=11), and [Indian tribes](/usc/43/3101.md?p=5), shall develop and maintain a publicly accessible national landslide hazard and risk inventory database to compile, maintain, standardize, and evaluate data regarding—
    - (A) landslide hazards and risks;
    - (B) the impact of landslides on—
      - (i) health and safety;
      - (ii) the economy and infrastructure; and
      - (iii) the environment;
    - (C) landslide hazard stabilization; and
    - (D) reduction of losses from landslides.
  - (4) **Landslide hazard and risk preparedness for communities—** In carrying out the [program](/usc/43/2401.md?p=7), the [Secretary](/usc/43/3101.md?p=8), in coordination with the [Secretary](/usc/43/3101.md?p=8) of the Army, the [Secretary](/usc/43/3101.md?p=8) of Commerce, the [Secretary](/usc/43/3101.md?p=8) of Homeland Security, the [Secretary](/usc/43/3101.md?p=8) of Transportation, and the heads of other relevant Federal agencies, and in consultation with [State offices](/usc/43/3101.md?p=10), units of local government, [territories](/usc/43/3101.md?p=11), and [Indian tribes](/usc/43/3101.md?p=5), shall develop and disseminate—
    - (A) landslide planning and risk reduction guidance, guidelines, maps, tools, and training materials to help inform [State](/usc/43/3101.md?p=9), territorial, local, and Tribal governments and decisionmakers with respect to—
      - (i) the use and implementation of landslide hazard assessments;
      - (ii) the applied use of the database developed under [paragraph (3)](#b-3);
      - (iii) reducing losses from landslides; and
      - (iv) resources available for communities working to improve landslide hazard preparedness; and
    - (B) landslide preparedness curricula and training modules for—
      - (i) [State](/usc/43/3101.md?p=9), territorial, local, and Tribal officials;
      - (ii) Federal, [State](/usc/43/3101.md?p=9), territorial, local, and Tribal emergency managers; and
      - (iii) the National Guard.
  - (5) **Debris flow early warning system—** In carrying out the [program](/usc/43/2401.md?p=7), the [Secretary](/usc/43/3101.md?p=8), in coordination with the [Secretary](/usc/43/3101.md?p=8) of Commerce and the [Secretary](/usc/43/3101.md?p=8) of Homeland Security, shall expand the early warning system for debris flow by—
    - (A) expanding the early warning system for post-wildfire debris flow to include recently burned areas across the western United States;
    - (B) developing procedures with [State](/usc/43/3101.md?p=9), territorial, local, and Tribal governments to monitor stormwater drainage in areas with high debris flow risk; and
    - (C) identifying high-risk debris flow areas, such as recently burned land and potential [lahar](/usc/43/3101.md?p=6) hazard areas.
  - (6) **Emergency response activities—** In carrying out the [program](/usc/43/2401.md?p=7), the [Secretary](/usc/43/3101.md?p=8), in coordination with the [Secretary](/usc/43/3101.md?p=8) of Commerce, the [Secretary](/usc/43/3101.md?p=8) of Homeland Security, the heads of other relevant Federal agencies, [States](/usc/43/3101.md?p=9) offices, units of local government, [territories](/usc/43/3101.md?p=11), and [Indian tribes](/usc/43/3101.md?p=5), shall establish and support emergency response procedures for the rapid deployment of Federal scientists, equipment, and services to areas impacted by a significant landslide event—
    - (A) to support emergency response efforts and improve the safety of emergency responders;
    - (B) to improve data collection; and
    - (C) to conduct research to advance the understanding of the causes, impacts, and reduction of landslide hazards and risks.
- (c) **Interagency Coordinating Committee on Landslide Hazards—**
  - (1) **In general—** There is established a [committee](/usc/43/2801.md?p=2), to be known as the “Interagency Coordinating [Committee](/usc/43/2801.md?p=2) on Landslide Hazards”.
  - (2) **Membership—** The [Committee](/usc/43/2801.md?p=2) shall be composed of the following members (or their designees):
    - (A) The [Secretary](/usc/43/3101.md?p=8), who shall serve as Chairperson of the [Committee](/usc/43/2801.md?p=2).
    - (B) The [Secretary](/usc/43/3101.md?p=8) of Agriculture.
    - (C) The [Secretary](/usc/43/3101.md?p=8) of the Army.
    - (D) The [Secretary](/usc/43/3101.md?p=8) of Commerce.
    - (E) The [Secretary](/usc/43/3101.md?p=8) of Homeland Security.
    - (F) The [Secretary](/usc/43/3101.md?p=8) of Transportation.
    - (G) The [Director](/usc/43/31b.md?p=3) of the National Science Foundation.
    - (H) The [Director](/usc/43/31b.md?p=3) of the Office of Science and Technology Policy.
    - (I) The [Director](/usc/43/31b.md?p=3) of the Office of Management and Budget.
  - (3) **Meetings—** The [Committee](/usc/43/2801.md?p=2) shall meet at the call of the Chairperson.
  - (4) **Purpose and duties—** The [Committee](/usc/43/2801.md?p=2) shall—
    - (A) advise and oversee the [program](/usc/43/2401.md?p=7);
    - (B) facilitate communication and coordination across Federal agencies in the planning, management, budgeting, and execution of landslide activities; and
    - (C) support the development and execution of the national strategy under [subsection (b)(2)](#b-2), including by—
      - (i) supporting the development of national goals and priorities for the national strategy;
      - (ii) articulating Federal agency roles, responsibilities, and resources for carrying out the national strategy; and
      - (iii) overseeing the implementation of the national strategy.
- (d) **Advisory Committee—**
  - (1) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/43/3101.md?p=8) shall establish an [advisory committee](/usc/43/31b.md?p=1), to be known as the “[Advisory Committee](/usc/43/31b.md?p=1) on Landslides” (referred to in this subsection as the “[Advisory Committee](/usc/43/31b.md?p=1)”).
  - (2) **Membership—** The [Advisory Committee](/usc/43/31b.md?p=1) shall be composed of not fewer than 11 members—
    - (A) of whom none may be an individual described in any of subparagraphs (A) through (F) of [section 7342(a)(1) of title 5](/usc/5/7342.md?p=a-1); and
    - (B) who shall be representatives of—
      - (i) [States](/usc/43/3101.md?p=9), including [State](/usc/43/3101.md?p=9) geological organizations;
      - (ii) [territories](/usc/43/3101.md?p=11), including territorial geological organizations;
      - (iii) [Indian tribes](/usc/43/3101.md?p=5), including Tribal geological organizations;
      - (iv) research institutions and institutions of higher education that are qualified—
        - (I) to provide advice regarding landslide hazard and risk reduction; and
        - (II) to represent related scientific, architectural, engineering, and planning disciplines;
      - (v) industry standards development organizations; and
      - (vi) [State](/usc/43/3101.md?p=9), territorial, local, and Tribal emergency management agencies.
  - (3) **Recommendations—**
    - (A) **In general—** The [Advisory Committee](/usc/43/31b.md?p=1) shall submit to the [Committee](/usc/43/2801.md?p=2) recommendations for the implementation of the [program](/usc/43/2401.md?p=7), including recommendations regarding—
      - (i) landslide hazard and risk reduction and planning;
      - (ii) tools for communities;
      - (iii) research; and
      - (iv) such other topics as the [Advisory Committee](/usc/43/31b.md?p=1) determines appropriate.
    - (B) **Consideration—** The [Secretary](/usc/43/3101.md?p=8) and the agency heads described in [subparagraphs (B) through (I)](#c-2-B..c-2-I) of subsection (c)(2) shall take into consideration any recommendation of the [Advisory Committee](/usc/43/31b.md?p=1) submitted under [subparagraph (A)](#d-3-A).
- (e) **Grant programs—**
  - (1) **Cooperative landslide hazard mapping and assessment program—**
    - (A) **In general—** Subject to appropriations, the [Secretary](/usc/43/3101.md?p=8) may—
      - (i) provide grants, on a competitive basis, to [State](/usc/43/3101.md?p=9), territorial, local, and Tribal governments to research, map, assess, and collect data on landslide hazards within the jurisdictions of those governments; and
      - (ii) accept and use [funds](/usc/43/1602.md?p=k) received from other Federal and non-Federal partners to advance the purposes of the [program](/usc/43/2401.md?p=7).
    - (B) **Priority—**
      - (i) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/43/3101.md?p=8) shall consult annually with the [Committee](/usc/43/2801.md?p=2), [States](/usc/43/3101.md?p=9), units of local government, [territories](/usc/43/3101.md?p=11), and [Indian tribes](/usc/43/3101.md?p=5) to establish priorities for the grant [program](/usc/43/2401.md?p=7) under this paragraph.
      - (ii) **Funding prioritization—** In providing grants under this paragraph, the [Secretary](/usc/43/3101.md?p=8) shall give priority to projects—
        - (I) that will achieve the greatest landslide hazard and risk reduction;
        - (II) that reflect the goals and priorities of the national strategy established under [subsection (b)(2)(A)](#b-2-A);
        - (III) not less than 50 percent of the total cost of which is matched by non-Federal sources; and
        - (IV) that include acquisition of enhanced elevation data consistent with the [3D Elevation Program](/usc/43/3101.md?p=3).
    - (C) **Requirement—** If the [Secretary](/usc/43/3101.md?p=8) elects to provide grants under [subparagraph (A)(i)](#e-1-A-i), the [Secretary](/usc/43/3101.md?p=8) shall publish on a publicly available website a description of—
      - (i) the grants; and
      - (ii) the findings made from those grants.
  - (2) **National landslide research grants—**
    - (A) **In general—** To advance the goals and priorities of the national strategy established under [subsection (b)(2)(A)](#b-2-A), subject to appropriations, the [Director](/usc/43/31b.md?p=3) of the National Science Foundation (referred to in this paragraph as the “[Director](/usc/43/31b.md?p=3)”) may provide grants to eligible entities for landslide research, including research on—
      - (i) the causes, mechanisms, triggers, hydrology, and geology of landslides;
      - (ii) ways to reduce landslide hazards and risks to minimize loss of life and property, including landslide hazard and risk communication, perception, decisionmaking, tools, and technologies; and
      - (iii) other goals and priorities of the national strategy established under [subsection (b)(2)(A)](#b-2-A).
    - (B) **Eligible entities—** The [Director](/usc/43/31b.md?p=3) shall determine whether an entity is eligible to receive a grant under this paragraph.
    - (C) **Requirements—** In providing grants under this paragraph, the [Director](/usc/43/31b.md?p=3) shall—
      - (i) ensure that the grants are provided on a competitive basis;
      - (ii) consider grant applications submitted by eligible entities that have developed the application in partnership with 1 or more [State](/usc/43/3101.md?p=9) geological [surveys](/usc/43/31b.md?p=10); and
      - (iii) publish on a publicly available website a description of—
        - (I) the grants; and
        - (II) the findings made from those grants.
- (f) **Biennial report—** Through calendar year 2030, the [Secretary](/usc/43/3101.md?p=8) shall submit to Congress a biennial report, including a description of, with respect to the 2-calendar-year period preceding the date of the report—
  - (1) the goals and accomplishments of the [Committee](/usc/43/2801.md?p=2) in carrying out the national strategy developed under [subsection (b)(2)](#b-2);
  - (2) the results of the activities of the [Committee](/usc/43/2801.md?p=2) under this section; and
  - (3) the extent to which any recommendations of the [Advisory Committee](/usc/43/31b.md?p=1) under [subsection (d)(3)(A)](#d-3-A) have been implemented.
- (g) **Significant events—** Not later than 1 year after a significant landslide event in the United States (including [territories](/usc/43/3101.md?p=11)) occurs, the [Secretary](/usc/43/3101.md?p=8) shall publish on a publicly available website—
  - (1) a description of the landslide event and the implications of the event on communities, including life and property;
  - (2) recommendations on how the identification of the landslide risk could have been improved prior to the event;
  - (3) a description of the effectiveness of any warning and risk communication, including the dissemination of warnings by [State](/usc/43/3101.md?p=9), territorial, local, and Tribal partners in the affected area;
  - (4) recommendations to improve risk identification, reduction, and communication to landowners and units of local government;
  - (5) recommendations to improve landslide hazard preparedness and emergency response activities under this section; and
  - (6) such other findings as the [Secretary](/usc/43/3101.md?p=8) determines appropriate.
- (h) **Funding—** For each of fiscal years 2021 through 2024—
  - (1) there is authorized to be appropriated to the United States Geological [Survey](/usc/43/31b.md?p=10), $25,000,000 to carry out this section;
  - (2) there is authorized to be appropriated to the National Science Foundation, $11,000,000 to carry out this section; and
  - (3) there is authorized to be appropriated to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, $1,000,000 to carry out this section.
- (i) **Derivation of funds—** [Funds](/usc/43/1602.md?p=k) to carry out the activities under this section shall be derived from amounts authorized to be appropriated that are enacted after the date of the enactment of this section.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 116–323, § 3, Jan. 5, 2021, 134 Stat. 5076.)