(2) PURPOSES- The purposes described in this paragraph are as follows:
(A) To improve understanding and prediction of hurricanes and other tropical storms, including--
(i) storm tracking and prediction;
(ii) forecasting of storm formation, intensity, and wind and rain patterns, both within the tropics and as the storms move poleward;
(iii) storm surge modeling, inland flood modeling, and coastal erosion;
(iv) the interaction with and impacts of storms with the natural and built environment; and
(v) the impacts to and response of society to destructive storms, including the socio-economic impacts requiring emergency management, response, and recovery.
(B) To develop infrastructure that is resilient to the forces associated with hurricanes and other tropical storms.
(C) To mitigate the impacts of hurricanes on coastal populations, the coastal built environment, and natural resources, including--
(i) coral reefs;
(ii) mangroves;
(iii) wetlands; and
(iv) other natural systems that can reduce hurricane wind and flood forces.
(D) To provide training for the next generation of hurricane researchers and forecasters.
This is a snippet from a bill introduced by Florida Senators Bill Nelson and Mel Martinez, S.1485 National Hurricane Research Initiative Act of 2009. The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a hearing on the bill yesterday. Link contains prepared testimony of the participants as well as a webcast of the hearing.
For the show me the money types:
(a) In General- There are authorized to be appropriated for fiscal years 2010 through 2015 amounts as follows:
(1) To the Under Secretary, $18,750,000 to carry out sections 5, 6, and 7(b), of which not less than $13,750,000 shall be used to carry such section 7(b).
(2) To the Director of the National Science Foundation, $56,250,000 to carry out sections 5 and 7(a).
Referring to the initiative itself (sec 5), a research task force (sec 6), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Research Program (sec 7b) and National Science Foundation Competitive Grant Research Program (sec 7a).
