FACACLASSIC

Note: An Annual Comprehensive Review, as required by §7 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, is conducted each year on committee data entered for the previous fiscal year (referred to as the reporting year). The data for the reporting year is not considered verified until this review is complete and the data is moved to history for an agency/department. See the Data From Previous Years section at the bottom of this page for the committee’s historical, verified data.

Details on agency responses to committee recommendations can be found under the Performance Measures section for each committee in the fields “Agency Feedback” and “Agency Feedback Comment.”

DOI - 12152 - Scientific Earthquake Studies Advisory Committee - Statutory (Congress Created)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Committee Name	Scientific Earthquake Studies Advisory Committee	Agency Name	Department of the Interior
Fiscal Year	2025	Committee Number	12152
Original Establishment Date	11/13/2000	Committee Status	Chartered
Actual Termination Date		Committee URL	https://www.usgs.gov/natural-hazards/earthquake...
Actual Merged Date		Presidential Appointments*	No
New Committee This FY	No	Max Number of Members*	10
Terminated This FY	No	Designated Fed Officer Position Title*	Senior Science Advisor for Earthquake & Geologic Hazards
Merged This FY		Designated Federal Officer Prefix	Dr.
Current Charter Date	8/30/2024	Designated Federal Officer First Name*	Gavin
Date Of Renewal Charter	8/30/2026	Designated Federal Officer Middle Name	P
Projected Termination Date		Designated Federal Officer Last Name*	Hayes
Exempt From Renewal*	No	Designated Federal Officer Suffix
Specific Termination Authority		Designated Federal Officer Phone*	(303) 374-4449
Establishment Authority*	Statutory (Congress Created)	Designated Federal Officer Fax*
Specific Establishment Authority*	P.L. 106-503	Designated Federal Officer Email*	ghayes@usgs.gov
Effective Date Of Authority*	11/13/2000
Exempt From EO 13875 Discretionary Cmte	Not Applicable
Committee Type*	Continuing
Presidential*	No
Committee Function*	Scientific Technical Program Advisory Board

RECOMMENDATION/JUSTIFICATIONS

Agency Recommendation*	Continue
Legislation to Terminate Required	Not Applicable
Legislation Status	Not Applicable
How does cmte accomplish its purpose?*	The Advisory Committee advises the Director on matters relating to the United States Geological Survey’s (USGS) participation in the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program, including the United States Geological Survey’s roles, goals and objectives within that Program, its capabilities and research needs, guidance on achieving major objectives, and establishing and measuring performance goals. The Advisory Committee shall issue an annual report to the Director of the USGS for submission to Congress on or before September 30 of each year.
How is membership balanced?*	Individuals are qualified in the seismic sciences and other appropriate fields. Selection of individuals to serve on the SESAC shall be based on established records of distinguished service, ensuring a reasonable cross-section of views, experience, expertise, and diversity is represented. Selection will consider recommendations from the National Academy of Sciences, professional societies, and other appropriate organizations. Due consideration is given to recommendations from the National Academy of Sciences, institutions that serve historically underrepresented communities professional societies, and other appropriate organizations.
How frequent & relevant are cmte mtgs?*	Estimated Number of Meetings per Year - 2, and at such other times as designated by the Designated Federal Officer.
Why advice can't be obtained elsewhere?*	The Advisory Committee is established pursuant to the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Authorization Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-503). The Committee advises the Director of the USGS on matters relating to the USGS's participation in the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program, including roles, goals, and objectives within that Program.
Why close or partially close meetings?	N/A
Recommendation Remarks	The Advisory Committee met twice in FY 2025 (November 2024, July 2025).

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

Outcome Improvement To Health Or Safety*	Yes	Action Reorganize Priorities*	Yes
Outcome Trust In Government	Yes	Action Reallocate Resources	Yes
Outcome Major Policy Changes	No	Action Issued New Regulations	No
Outcome Advance In Scientific Research	Yes	Action Proposed Legislation	No
Outcome Effective Grant Making	Yes	Action Approved Grants Or Other Payments	Yes
Outcome Improved Service Delivery	Yes	Action Other	No
Outcome Increased Customer Satisfaction	Yes	Action Comment	The USGS uses the committee's recommendations to guide the Earthquake Hazards Program.
Outcome Implement Laws/Reg Requirements	No	Grants Review*	No
Outcome Other	No	Number Of Grants Reviewed	0
Outcome Comment	NA	Number Of Grants Recommended	0
Cost Savings*	Unable to Determine	Dollar Value Of Grants Recommended	$0.00
Cost Savings Comment	If the Committee's recommendations are acted on and effective, the cost savings would be measured in terms of losses avoided during earthquake disasters.	Grants Review Comment	The committee is advisory not decision-making.
Number Of Recommendations*	36	Access Contact Designated Fed. Officer*	Yes
Number Of Recommendations Comment	As of 9/12/25, there are no new recommendations in FY25. The USGS EHP expects the SESAC to submit new recommendations in an annual report by 9/30/25. At the time of writing, there are 36 previous recommendations, of which 30 are closed, and 3 are partially complete.	Access Agency Website	Yes
% of Recs Fully Implemented*	72.00%	Access Committee Website	Yes
% of Recs Fully Implemented Comment	Of 36 total recommendations, 26 have been fully implemented.	Access GSA FACA Website	Yes
% of Recs Partially Implemented*	8.33%	Access Publications	No
% of Recs Partially Implemented Comment	Of 36 total recommendations, three are partially implemented.	Access Other	No
Agency Feedback*	Not Applicable	Access Comment	online agency web site: https://www.usgs.gov/programs/earthquake-hazards/scientific-earthquake-studies-advisory-committee-sesac
Agency Feedback Comment*	The committee met in November 2024, and discussed the feedback letter provided at the close of FY24. The committee met again in July 2025 to receive an update on program activities, and discussed drafting for a new letter to be submitted in September 2025. All letters are archived at the USGS SESAC website, https://www.usgs.gov/programs/earthquake-hazards/scientific-earthquake-studies-advisory-committee-sesac	Narrative Description*	The Scientific Earthquake Studies Advisory Committee was established to advise the Director of the U.S. Geological Survey on matters relating to that agency's participation in the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program. The charge includes review of the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program roles, goals, and objectives, assessment of its capabilities and research needs, guidance on achieving major objectives, and establishment of performance goals.

COSTS

1. Payments to Non-Federal Members*	$0.00	1. Est Paymnts to Non-Fed Membrs Nxt FY*	$0.00
2. Payments to Federal Members*	$0.00	2. Est. Payments to Fed Members Next FY*	$0.00
3. Payments to Federal Staff*		3. Estimated Payments to Federal Staff*
4. Payments to Consultants*		4. Est. Payments to Consultants Next FY*
5. Travel Reimb. For Non-Federal Membrs*	$0.00	5. Est Travel Reimb Non-Fed Membr nxtFY*
6. Travel Reimb. For Federal Members*	$0.00	6. Est Travel Reimb For Fed Members*
7. Travel Reimb. For Federal Staff*	$0.00	7. Est. Travel Reimb to Fed Staf Nxt FY*
8. Travel Reimb. For Consultants*	$0.00	8. Est Travel Reimb to Consltnts Nxt FY*
10. Other Costs		10. Est. Other Costs Next FY*
11. Total Costs	$0.00	11. Est. Total Next FY*	$0.00
Date Cost Last Modified	9/15/2025 11:33 AM	Est. Fed Staff Support Next FY*
Federal Staff Support (FTE)*		Est Cost Remarks
Cost Remarks

Interest Areas

Category Area Emergency Earthquake, Flood, and Fire Hazards and Administration Environment Earth Sciences

Custom Links

Committee Level Reports