Federal Earthquake Program Seeks Public Comments

The NEHRP is the federal government's program to reduce the risks to life and property from earthquakes. The four agencies making up NEHRP - the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the organization's lead agency, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) - work in close coordination to improve the nation's understanding of earthquake hazards and to mitigate their effects.

NEHRP's missions are to improve our understanding, characterization and assessment of hazards and vulnerabilities; improve model building codes and land use practices; reduce risks through post-earthquake investigations and education; improve design and construction techniques; improve the capacity of government and the private sector to reduce and manage earthquake risk; and accelerate the application of research results.

Those interested in participating in this process may download the 2001-2005 plan from the NEHRP website, located at www.nehrp.gov, and suggest updates via a public comment form at the same site. The form may be e-mailed, faxed or sent by regular mail to NEHRP. Further information is available online.

NEHRP will accept comments through May 26, 2006.