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SSA: Seismology, Government,
and Public Policy
The SEISMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA (SSA) is a scientific society devoted to the advancement of earthquake science. SSA was founded to "promote research in seismology, the scientific investigation of earthquakes and related phenomena, to promote public safety by all practical means, and to enlist the support of the people and the government in the attainment of these ends."
SSA is the largest and most respected society of seismologists in the world. We are an unbiased source of reliable information for any governmental agency or official seeking sound scientific advice. If you have questions, we invite you to contact us.
Government Relations News
SSA Co-Sponsors Congressional Briefing (November 2007)
SSA Government Relations Committee
SSA's public policy activities include educating our members on policy issues that affect the science, issuing resolutions or position statements on seismic matters, and providing information on seismic issues to U.S. legislators and staff, including responding to invitations to provide testimony before congressional committees.
Members of the Government Relations Committee
Position Statements
Statement on Actions for Managing Earthquake Risk (adopted at the 100th Anniversary Earthquake Conference in San Francisco, 2006)
In Support of Improved Earthquake and Tsunami Hazard Mitigation
Monitoring the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (revised, December 2007)
Advanced National Seismic System (ANSS)
SSA supports efforts to modernize and expand the national seismic system in the United States.
ANSS Web site
EarthScope
SSA supports continued funding for EarthScope.
EarthScope Web site
Sign up for E-mail Updates and Alerts
SSA Action List
(government
relations and earthquake science)
ANSS Announcement List
(progress
reports on efforts to modernize and expand the U.S. national seismic
system)
Getting Involved
Communicating with Congress
See
this site for tips on how to write to or visit your congressional representative,
or email SSA Executive Director Susan
Newman at <snewman [at] seismosoc.org> for assistance.
Some Key Congressional Committees
The National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) is authorized by the following committees:
Research Subcommittee
of the House Science Committee
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
After a program is authorized, funds must be appropriated for each government agency involved by one of the several subcommittees of the appropriations committees in the House and Senate.
NEHRP funds are divided among four agencies. For example, the subcommittee that appropriates funds for the U.S. Geological Survey, part of the Department of the Interior, is called the "Subcommittee on Interior Environmental and Related Agencies " in the House and the "Subcommittee on Interior and Related Agencies" in the Senate.
The subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee that appropriates NSF funds is called the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and Science in the Senate and Subcommittee on Science, the Departments of State, Justice and Commerce and related agencies in the Senate.
Last Update: 21 March 2008