PUBLIC LAW 107-253-OCT. 29, 2002 116 STAT. 1731 Public Law 107-253 107th Congress An Act To authorize the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, through the United States Weather Research Program, to conduct research and development, Oct. 29, 2002 training, and outreach activities relating to inland flood forecasting improvement, [HR 2486] and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, Inland Flood Forecasting and SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. Warning System This Act may be cited as the "Inland Flood Forecasting and 15 USC 3iinote Warning System Act of 2002". SEC. 2. AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES. 15 USC 313c. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, through the United States Weather Research Program, shall— (1) improve the capability to accurately forecast inland flooding (including inland flooding influenced by coastal and ocean storms) through research and modeling; (2) develop, test, and deploy a new flood warning index that will give the public and emergency management officials fuller, clearer, and more accurate information about the risks and dangers posed by expected floods; (3) train emergency management officials. National Weather Service personnel, meteorologists, and others as appropriate regarding improved forecasting techniques for inland flooding, risk management techniques, and use of the inland flood warning index developed under paragraph (2); (4) conduct outreach and education activities for local meteorologists and the public regarding the dangers and risks associated with inland flooding and the use and understanding of the inland flood warning index developed under paragraph (2); and (5) assess, through research and analysis of previous trends, among other activities— (A) the long-term trends in frequency and severity of inland flooding; and (B) how shifts in climate, development, and erosion patterns might make certain regions vulnerable to more continual or escalating flood damage in the future. SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 15 USC 313c There are authorized to be appropriated to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for carrying out this Act $1,250,000 for each of the fiscal years 2003 through 2005, of which $100,000 for each fiscal year shall be available for competitive
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