Reports

This report provides insights on the changes of the past 10 years and the continuing emerging threats that still face the United States. Issues mentioned in this report include: the struggle against terrorism being far from over; cyber readiness lagging behind the threat; and counterterrorism fatigue and a waning sense

Biosecurity incidents – such as the potential exposure of staff in Atlanta laboratories at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – highlight the importance of maintaining biosafety and biosecurity protocols at high-containment laboratories. The U.S. Government Accountability Office summarizes the results of past work on the oversight of high-containment

The Government Accountability Office was asked to assess the Department of Defense (DOD) actions to adapt its U.S. infrastructure to the challenges of climate change. This report describes potential impacts, evaluates DOD efforts, assesses how DOD is accounting for climate change, and evaluates the extent to which DOD incorporates adaptation.

This report represents the Department of Defense’s response to the threat of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). It specifies desired end states, prescribes priority objectives, delineates a strategic approach for achieving those objectives, and outlines the countering WMD activities and tasks necessary for success. http://www.defense.gov/pubs/DoD_Strategy_for_Countering_Weapons_of_Mass_Destruction_dated_June_2014.pdf

The United States has completed a government-wide Counter Piracy and Maritime Security Action Plan. The Counter Piracy and Maritime Security Action Plan focuses on three core areas: prevention of attacks, response to acts of maritime crime, and enhancing maritime security and governance. http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/united_states_counter_piracy_and_maritime_security_action_plan_2014.pdf

The U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development today approved fiscal year 2015 funding legislation that totals $34.2 billion in discretionary budget authority. The bill focuses on 3 priorities: advancing water resources projects, mitigating the effects of drought and reducing the threat of nuclear terrorism. http://www.appropriations.senate.gov/news/fy15-energy-water-subcommittee-markup-bill-summary

Changes to flood hazard determinations, such as new or modified Base (1% annual-chance) Flood Elevations, base flood depths, Special Flood Hazard Area boundaries or zone designations, and/or regulatory floodways have been finalized. Flood hazard determinations are used to calculate flood insurance premium rates for new buildings and their contents. https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2014/06/13/2014-13888/changes-in-flood-hazard-determinations

Information and communication systems, which are susceptible to cyber-related threats, support the annual $1.3-trillion cargo operations of U.S. maritime ports. The U.S. Government Accountability Office identified, and made recommendations based on, actions that federal stakeholders have taken to address cybersecurity concerns in the maritime port environment. http://www.gao.gov/assets/670/663828.pdf

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently announced a new report on scientific breakthroughs discovered by United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) researchers that led to new patents and inventions with the potential for commercial application and potential economic growth. https://www.ars.usda.gov/sp2UserFiles/Place/01090000/FY13_TT Ann Rpt .pdf

The Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Environmental Management recently released the initial accident investigation report related to the radiological release at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) near Carlsbad, New Mexico. This report includes the initial investigation focused on the release, the related exposure to the workers, and the