Bill Text: OR HR3 | 2011 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Recognizing seismic threats and urging creation of resilience plan.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 7-3)
Status: (Passed) 2011-04-26 - Filed with Secretary of State. [HR3 Detail]
Download: Oregon-2011-HR3-Enrolled.html
76th OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2011 Regular Session
Enrolled
House Resolution 3
Sponsored by Representative BOONE; Representatives COWAN,
KRIEGER, ROBLAN, WITT, Senators COURTNEY, JOHNSON, KRUSE,
VERGER, WHITSETT
Whereas Oregon is known to be seismically active, with
geological faults creating earthquake hazards in most of the
state, including its most highly populated counties; and
Whereas the most serious risks linked to earthquakes in Oregon
are associated with the Cascadia fault, recognized as one of the
world's most dangerous faults and capable of generating
megathrust earthquakes at least 1,000 times more powerful than
the magnitude 6.8 Nisqually, Washington, earthquake of February
2001 and producing associated tsunamis capable of affecting
extensive areas of the Oregon coast; and
Whereas geological evidence documents about 41 earthquakes of
magnitude 8 and larger on sections of the Cascadia fault during
the last 10,000 years, yielding an average interval between
events of about 240 years; and
Whereas the most recent megathrust earthquake on the Cascadia
fault, estimated to be about magnitude 9, occurred on January 26,
1700; and
Whereas many of the earthquakes on the Cascadia fault have been
separated by intervals shorter than the time elapsed since the
most recent Cascadia earthquake; and
Whereas an earthquake of magnitude 8 or larger and its
associated tsunami would have devastating impacts to coastal
communities and throughout western Oregon, causing thousands of
casualties and premature deaths and inflicting tens of billions
of dollars in physical damage that would have crippling impacts
on the state's economy; and
Whereas policies now in place are insufficient to protect
citizens and businesses in Oregon from the ground shaking and
waves associated with a Cascadia megathrust earthquake and to
ensure a smooth economic recovery after that event; now,
therefore,
Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of
Oregon:
That concern for the protection of life and the resumption of
commerce should guide the State of Oregon in the development and
implementation of resilience policies that address the risks
posed by a Cascadia megathrust earthquake and tsunami; and be it
further
Resolved, That Oregon's most forward-thinking policies and
programs to advance resilience to earthquakes include the Seismic
Rehabilitation Grant Program, fully enacted with general
obligation bond funding by the 75th Legislative Assembly in 2009;
and be it further
Resolved, That the strengthening of collapse-prone public
structures, including, but not limited to, K-12 schools,
community colleges and public safety facilities, should be
Enrolled House Resolution 3 (HR 3-INTRO) Page 1
recognized by the Governor and Legislative Assembly as top
investment priorities in this state's capital budget; and be it
further
Resolved, That seismic improvements to K-12 schools, community
colleges and public safety facilities funded by Seismic
Rehabilitation Grants should be recognized with placards affixed
to the reinforced structures; and be it further
Resolved, That this state's investment in Seismic
Rehabilitation Grants and in other programs and resources to
accomplish seismic upgrades of public buildings should be
expanded to the extent fiscal prudence allows; and be it further
Resolved, That this state should make investments in additional
evacuation options for Oregon coastal communities that cannot
ensure adequate protection of their residents and visitors from
tsunamis because of distance from safe ground; and be it further
Resolved, That this state should make investments necessary to
establish a Critical Transportation Infrastructure providing
reliable lifelines for emergency response and economic recovery
in the aftermath of a Cascadia earthquake and tsunami; and be it
further
Resolved, That this state should make investments necessary to
establish a Critical Energy Infrastructure comprising
transmission networks for electricity, liquid fuels and natural
gas hardened to withstand a Cascadia earthquake and tsunami; and
be it further
Resolved, That seismic resilience should be viewed as a
necessary complement to environmental sustainability and endorsed
as a priority by the Governor and the Legislative Assembly; and
be it further
Resolved, That the Seismic Safety Policy Advisory Commission
should lead and coordinate preparation of an Oregon Resilience
Plan that reviews policy options, summarizes relevant reports and
studies by state agencies and makes recommendations on policy
direction to protect lives and keep commerce flowing during and
after a Cascadia earthquake and tsunami; and be it further
Resolved, That the commission should enlist the participation
of the Governor's public safety advisor, state agencies,
commissions and other advisory bodies, as needed, to assemble an
integrated view of current state capabilities and gaps in
resilience planning; and be it further
Resolved, That the Oregon Resilience Plan and recommendations
should be delivered to the Legislative Assembly no later than
February 28, 2013, so that the inevitable natural disaster of a
Cascadia megathrust earthquake and tsunami does not cause an
unprecedented catastrophe for the State of Oregon.
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Adopted by House April 18, 2011
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Ramona Kenady Line, Chief Clerk
of House
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Bruce Hanna, Speaker of House
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Arnie Roblan, Speaker of House
Enrolled House Resolution 3 (HR 3-INTRO) Page 2
