Concept Details

I believe the government could play a major role in creating the framework for the establishment of shelter sites. I would propose this process be implemented prior to the identification of any known impact threats. I would recommend that the government establish a small organization to manage the process. For lack of a better name, lets call this organization the Impact Team. Any individual (Host) that owns land suitable as a shelter site and willing to allow the land to be used for that purpose in the event of a threatening large comet (or meteor) impact could register with that governmental organization. The Impact Team would send out a small survey team to assess the usability of the land and an impact shelter. The survey team would look at the area, topography, site altitude, available area and the location to other registered shelter sites. The survey team would perform core drillings to verify the site depth and perform soil evaluation. If the potential site meets the minimum requirements, an exact GPS location will be recorded. The Host will be asked to place a lien on the property that in the event of an impending large comet (or asteroid) impact, the property shall be used as a shelter location. This lien shall apply for 100 years from the signature date and shall be recorded at the county courthouse. At this point the site shall receive an official registered shelter site number. The site location and the Host’s name and address shall be recorded in a database.

The government shall establish a Stakeholders database. This database shall list individuals that desire to become stakeholders in a shelter. Data could be collected through a website and fed into the database. Information would include name of the individuals, number in group (i.e. family), contact information, occupations, location, and resources available to contribute to the shelter complex. The Host of a registered shelter complex would be given access to this Stakeholders database. The Host shall then begin the process of selecting individuals for their shelters. This process might take several years to complete. The Host might contact individuals to gather additional information in order to make an intelligent and thorough decision. They should strive to achieve a balance that would provide for the needs of a successful shelter complex. Factors to be considered are:

Resources (lumber, food, supplies, etc.)

Talent (builders, farmers, engineers, doctors, etc.)

Those selected shall be notified by the Host, that they have been selected, the registered shelter site number and the location. Once selected, the stakeholders shall remove their name from the Stakeholders database. I would encourage the Stakeholder to visit the Host and examine and become familiar with the shelter location.

There are a few ground-rules that should be adhered to:

* There shall be no fee charged by the Host or the government in the registration and selection process.

* Stakeholder groups (i.e. families) shall not be split up.

* In order to maintain the security of the shelters, data contained in the Registered Shelter database and the Stakeholders database shall be treated as sensitive information and shall not be released outside this defined process. This information should also not be releasable under the Freedom of Information Act.

* Several individuals shall be called on to support key industries and services (i.e. plywood manufacturing, maintaining the electric power grid.) These individuals should not be penalized for their dedication and their efforts. Each registered shelter should set aside 50 empty slots for these individuals.

* The building of the shelter complexes must be the responsibility of individuals rather than the government. This is a volunteer force that contributes their resources, talents and labor in exchange for becoming stakeholders in a shelter complex that will provide them a chance for survival.

Membership in a registered shelter site shall have several advantages. The government shall give priority to request by registered shelter sites for specific resources. Another advantage is in the area of organization and planning. Individuals will know what to bring and where to relocate from the get-go. These individuals will be familiar with the shelter construction plans. (If 20,000 shelter sites are identified and registered prior to an impact threat being detected & announced, then approximately 16 million individuals will have a known shelter relocation site.)

The government should review the suitability of state and national parks and national forest as shelter sites locations. The government should host several shelter complexes.

It has been several years since the government conducted a complete survey of the nation's mines and caves. The government should conduct a national survey to determine the number, GPS location, size and condition of all existing mines and caves. This survey should determine the suitability of these mines and caves by assessing stability, existing gases, harmful bacteria and wetness.⁵³ Suitable spaces should be preassigned to individuals, families and groups.

Once an impact threat is detected & announced, this process will be accelerated. There will be insufficient time for site survey teams to visit new locations and make assessments. New shelter sites will have to be determined from topographical maps and experience.