In response to the rising costs from landslide hazards in the United States, this report outlines key elements of a comprehensive and effective national strategy for reducing losses from landslides nationwide, including activities at the national, State, and local levels, in both the public and private sectors.  It provides an assessment of the status, needs, and associated costs of this national landslide hazards mitigation strategy and is submitted in compliance with a directive of Public Law 106-113 (see Preface).  The USGS derives its leadership role in landslide hazard related work from the Disaster Relief Act of 1974 (Stafford Act).  The Director of the USGS has been delegated the responsibility to issue disaster warnings for an earthquake, volcanic eruption, landslide, or other geologic catastrophe consistent with the 1974 Disaster Relief Act 42 U.S.C. 5201 et seq.
 
The strategy outlined in this report gives the Federal government a prominent role in leading efforts to reduce losses due to landslide hazards in partnership with State and local governments.  The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has taken the lead in preparing this strategy on behalf of the large multi-sector, multi-agency stakeholder group involved in landslide hazards mitigation.  A broad spectrum of expert opinion was sought in developing this strategy report as requested by the Congress in House Report 106-222.
 
This report outlines the essential elements of a National Landslide Hazards Mitigation Strategy that when implemented would reduce the cost of landslide hazards.  It includes developing new partnerships between government at all levels, academia, and the private sector, and expanding landslide research, mapping, assessment, real-time monitoring, forecasting, information management and dissemination, development of mitigation tools, and emergency preparedness and response.  Such a strategy makes use of new technological advances, enlists the expertise associated with other related hazards such as floods,