HCR 56 Text

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE

FOR
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 56

(By Delegates Boggs, Brown, Browning, Craig, Louisos,
Morgan, Stemple, Swartzmiller, Armstead, Blair, Duke,

Overington, Stevens and Walters)

(Originating in the Committee on Rules)

[March 25, 2005]

Requesting the Director of the Office of Emergency Services to immediately repair inoperative IFLOWS rain and stream gauges to a minimum operational efficiency rating of ninety percent and to provide ongoing maintenance to keep the operational efficiency rating at ninety percent or more at all times.

Whereas, The Office of Emergency Services operates the Integrated Flood Warning System known as IFLOWS which is made up of a computer operated communications network and rain and stream gauges; and
Whereas, Flood warnings and flood watches in West Virginia are issued by the National Weather Service based upon information obtained from IFLOWS rain and stream gauges located throughout the state; and
Whereas, Advanced flood warning is critical to saving lives, reducing property damage and reducing disruption of commerce and human activities; and
Whereas, In July, 2003, the National Weather Service recognized West Virginia as having the largest and most reliable IFLOWS network of the thirteen states in the eastern district with an operational efficiency rating over ninety percent; and
Whereas, In July, 2004, the operational efficiency rating was at sixty percent and remained at the same level four months later; and
Whereas, On March 23, 2005, only 77% of all rain gauges were operational, up from 76% in January 2005 and 73% in December 2004; and
Whereas, There are a number of counties which, on March 23, 2005, had twenty-five percent or more of all rain gauges inoperative. Those counties include: Mercer with no working rain gauge; McDowell with 75% of its rain gauges not working; Barbour with 50% of its rain gauges not working; Mingo with 38% of its rain gauges not working; Randolph with 32% of its rain gauges not working and Pocahontas with 28% of its rain gauges not working; and
Whereas, The National Weather Service has been providing an annual grant to the IFLOWS program which provides nearly twenty- five percent of program funding; and
Whereas, Beginning this year, IFLOWS grants to states are being competitively awarded on merit and the ability of a state to maintain its IFLOWS network is a key criterion by which a state will be judged; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Legislature hereby requests the Director of the Office of Emergency Services to immediately repair inoperative IFLOWS rain and stream gauges to a minimum operational efficiency rating of ninety percent; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Director of the Office of Emergency Services provide ongoing maintenance to keep the operational efficiency rating of rain and stream gauges at ninety percent at all time; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Director of the Office of Emergency Services report back to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance on or before the first day of June, 2005, and thereafter as may be required, as to the operational efficiency of the IFLOWS network; and be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates send a copy of this Resolution to the Governor, the Secretary of the Department of Military Affairs and the Director of the Office of Emergency Services.

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