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Reducing the Risks of Natural Hazards: A Program for the Future

USGS Customer Listening Session

November 3, 2004

Final Report

Appendices

Appendix 1 | Appendix 2 | Appendix 3

Appendix 1

List of Attendees at the USGS Customer Listening Session
November 3, 2004
Washington, D.C.

USGS Attendees
Chip Groat
Bob Doyle
Karen Siderelis
Pat Leahy
Bob Hirsch
Barb Ryan
Sue Haseltine
Carol Aten
Carla Burzyk
Barbara Wainman
Amy Holley
Charlene Raphael
Matt Larsen
Kevin Gallagher
Sharon Gross
Stan Coloff
Doug Muchoney
Len Gaydos
Glenn Patterson
Martha Kiger
Suzanne Weedman
Stan Ponce
Linda Gunderson
Tim Cohn
Joanne Taylor
Peter Lyttle
Jim Quick
Rick Kearney
Andrea Alpine
Greg Snyder
Robert C. Worres

Appendix 2

Reducing the Risks of Natural Hazards: A Program for the Future
USGS Customer Listening Session
November 3, 2004

American Institute of Architects Building
1735 New York Avenue, NW
Washington, DC

Framing Document
As your host for the November 3, 2004, USGS listening session, let me share our expectations and hoped-for outcomes:

Setting the Stage--As the USGS continues to celebrate its 125^th anniversary of providing science for America, we want to build on previous listening sessions, review core science programs, and, in a new thrust for this session, invite input as we shape a program initiative that impacts the public health and safety of our communities -- the professional communities in which we work and interact and the personal communities in which we live -- reducing the risks of natural hazards. Within the last few months alone, the Nation has experienced four devastating hurricanes and floods, a moderate but significant earthquake in California, and the reawakening of Mount St. Helens. Were these not sufficient wake up calls to the need for science, wildfires continue to devastate acreage in the West and each year diseases like West Nile virus and plague spread and threaten not only wildlife but human populations. As these hazards continue to threaten our lives and communities, the need for scientific understanding increases exponentially. We need to improve understanding of natural processes, mitigate the risks, and develop the tools and technology for predictive and prescriptive strategies.

Defining Your Role--Our discussion will center on how the USGS can most effectively launch a major program initiative that will enable us to provide the science decision makers and communities can use to better prepare for and reduce the vulnerability to natural hazards. The attached agenda poses key questions designed to help shape this initiative. We would like the majority of the day to be a facilitated exchange between participants and the USGS Leadership Team. At the close of the day, we will open up the floor to comments or brief statements (3-5 minutes) related to USGS core programs.

Valuing Your Contribution--Your help in shaping this program initiative is extremely valuable to us. If you cannot attend, you may submit a statement that will be incorporated into planning the initiative. Submit statements to conversation@usgs.gov

/S/
Chip Groat
USGS Director

Appendix 3

Reducing the Risks of Natural Hazards: A Program for the Future
USGS Customer Listening Session
November 3, 2004

American Institute of Architects Building
1735 New York Avenue, NW
Washington, DC

Final Agenda

Desired Outcomes:

• Build on previous listening sessions
• Review core science programs
• Invite input on future program initiative for natural hazards

8:00   Registration

8:30   Welcome, Introductions and Agenda Review

8:45   Setting the Stage on Listening, Actions Taken, and New Directions
Chip Groat, USGS Director

9:15   Discussion Session I: Putting a Face on the Issues of Natural Hazards

• If, together, we could substantially reduce risks from natural hazards, what would be the benefits to you and your community -- your professional community and your personal community?
• In what order of priority should the many natural hazards we face be addressed?
• What are the scientific tools, technology, skills, and knowledge that are needed to reduce these risks?

10:30   Break

10:50   Discussion Session II: Shaping a Program to Address the Issues

• What would be the goals of such a program?
• How would it function to serve national science needs?
• What would be the roles -- of USGS, of Federal partners, of States, of academia, of the private sector?
• How do we establish and then communicate the value of such a program?

12:00   Lunch

1:15   Discussion Session III: Strengthening the Role of Partners in Reducing Risk

• Are there partnership models to emulate and adapt to this program initiative?
• How can partnerships be used to accomplish program goals, facilitate support, and foster communication?
• Would an external grants component be effective in strengthening the program? How should it function?

3:00   Break

3:30   Reflecting on the Day's Discussions
Guided by Facilitator

4:00   Open Discussion
Guided by Facilitator

• Feedback from participants on USGS core science programs
• Other issues
• Wrap up of session

5:00   Adjourn