Bill Text: CA ACR114 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Chaptered
Bill Title: California Tsunami Awareness Week.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 51-21)
Status: (Passed) 2012-03-22 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Res. Chapter 8, Statutes of 2012. [ACR114 Detail]
Download: California-2011-ACR114-Chaptered.html
BILL NUMBER: ACR 114 CHAPTERED BILL TEXT RESOLUTION CHAPTER 8 FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE MARCH 22, 2012 ADOPTED IN SENATE MARCH 15, 2012 ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY MARCH 12, 2012 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MARCH 12, 2012 INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Monning (Coauthors: Assembly Members Achadjian, Alejo, Allen, Ammiano, Atkins, Beall, Bill Berryhill, Block, Blumenfield, Bonilla, Bradford, Brownley, Buchanan, Butler, Charles Calderon, Campos, Carter, Cedillo, Chesbro, Conway, Cook, Davis, Dickinson, Donnelly, Eng, Feuer, Fong, Fuentes, Furutani, Beth Gaines, Galgiani, Gatto, Gordon, Grove, Hagman, Halderman, Hall, Harkey, Hayashi, Hill, Huber, Hueso, Huffman, Jeffries, Lara, Logue, Ma, Mansoor, Mendoza, Miller, Mitchell, Morrell, Nestande, Nielsen, Olsen, Pan, Perea, John A. Pérez, V. Manuel Pérez, Portantino, Silva, Skinner, Solorio, Swanson, Torres, Valadao, Wagner, Wieckowski, Williams, and Yamada) (Coauthor: Senator Alquist) FEBRUARY 23, 2012 Relative to California Tsunami Awareness Week. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST ACR 114, Monning. California Tsunami Awareness Week. This measure would designate March 25 through March 31, 2012, as California Tsunami Awareness Week. WHEREAS, On March 11, 2011, an earthquake and subsequent tsunami in the Pacific devastated parts of Japan resulting in the loss of over 15,000 lives and billions of dollars in damage. The effects of this earthquake reached coastal communities throughout the world and impacted many of California's coastal communities; and WHEREAS, Tsunamis are generated by any large, impulsive displacement of the sea level. The most common cause of a tsunami is sea floor uplift associated with an earthquake. Tsunamis are also triggered by landslides into or under the water surface, and can be generated by volcanic activity and meteorite impact; and WHEREAS, On average, two tsunamis occur per year throughout the world, inflicting damage near the source; and WHEREAS, Tsunamis range in size from inches to over a hundred feet. In deep water (greater than 600 feet), tsunamis are rarely over 3 feet and are not normally noticed by ships due to their long period (time between crests); and WHEREAS, As tsunamis propagate into shallow water, the wave height can increase by over 10 times; and WHEREAS, Tsunami heights vary greatly along a coast, and a large tsunami can flood low-lying coastal land over a mile from the coast; and WHEREAS, Earthquakes and landslides on the coasts of California, Oregon, and Washington pose the greatest threat of tsunamis that can reach California's coastline in less than 60 minutes; and WHEREAS, An earthquake on the Cascadia subduction zone, off the coast of northern California, could trigger a tsunami that could reach land within minutes; and WHEREAS, A tsunami caused by a very large earthquake elsewhere on the Pacific Rim could reach the California coast many hours after the earthquake; and WHEREAS, The most devastating tsunami to affect California in recent history was from the magnitude 9.2 Alaskan earthquake of 1964. Areas of northern California experienced a six-meter (20-foot) tsunami wave that flooded low-lying communities, such as Crescent City, and river valleys, killing 11 people; and WHEREAS, The March 11, 2011, tsunami that reached California caused an estimated $48 million of damage along the California coastline, with almost $25 million of damage to the Santa Cruz Harbor, and $16 million of damage to the Crescent City Harbor; and WHEREAS, The lack of warning for seismic events and potential speed with which a tsunami can strike demonstrates the importance for the millions of Californians who enjoy the California coastline to have a plan and prepare themselves and their families for such a disaster; and WHEREAS, It is important for citizens to know evacuation routes and potential hazard zones for their communities; and WHEREAS, Most coastal communities have an evacuation plan and designated safe areas; and WHEREAS, In light of the tragic events on March 11, 2011, the California Emergency Management Agency, along with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program, have designated March 25 through March 31, 2012, as "Tsunami Awareness Week"; and WHEREAS, "Tsunami Awareness Week" is a nationally coordinated effort that the California Seismic Safety Commission and the California Emergency Management Agency are promoting here in California through continued outreach and education; now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the week of March 25 through March 31, 2012, be designated as "California Tsunami Awareness Week" to create public awareness of the necessity for residents of California coastline communities to actively prepare and plan for the possibility of tsunamis; and be it further Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.