Statute: Sec. 16, PL 81-516; Sec. 403, PL 95-334; Sec. 382, PL 104-127

Direct or Indirect Linkage to Drought: Direct

Functions: Response

Agencies (primary agency listed first): USDA--NRCS

Funding History (1985 to the present): From 1988 to 1999, funding ranged from $300,000/yr to $16 million/yr (1994), depending on the extent and severity of the disaster. Specific drought funds have not been provided to the program. No funds were recorded as spent on drought disaster response.

Type of Assistance / Examples: Technical and financial assistance to undertake (with sponsors) emergency recovery measures to relieve imminent hazards to life and property created by natural disasters.

Examples: If a community is impacted by a fire, they can request technical and financial assistance to reseed the area if it, left untreated, would cause a problem.

Integration with State, Tribal, or Local Government: Requires sponsors that have legal authority to obtain property rights, water rights and permits, and provide operation and maintenance.

Effectiveness: Funds are almost exclusively spent on floods and fire.

Program Limitations/ Recommendations: Efforts must be defensible and sponsors must contribute a 25% cost-share.

Contact Name and Phone Number: Ron Page (202) 690-4575

Statute: Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996, P.L. 104-127, as amended; Food Security Act of 1985, Subtitle D, Title XII, 16 U.S.C. 3830aa, 3839aa

Direct or Indirect Linkage to Drought: Indirect

Functions: Mitigation

Agencies (primary agency listed first): USDA--NRCS, FSA

Funding History (1985 to the present): Specific drought funds have not been provided to the program. No funds were recorded as spent on drought mitigation.

Type of Assistance / Examples: Technical and financial assistance and education are provided to eligible farmers and ranchers to help them address soil, water, and related natural resource concerns on their lands in an environmentally beneficial and cost-effective manner. This program provides assistance to farmers and ranchers in complying with federal, state, and tribal environmental laws and encourages environmental enhancement. The purposes of this program are achieved through the implementation of structural, vegetative, and land management practices on eligible land.

Examples: Farmer or rancher may be able to receive technical and financial assistance to develop and implement a long term contract designed to address his natural resource problems, including livestock water, cross fences, water quality concerns, etc.

Integration with State, Tribal, or Local Government: No data

Effectiveness: No data

Program Limitations/ Recommendations: The program does not provide emergency drought relief. However, if a practice fails for reasons beyond the producer's control, payments are offered for reestablishment. Cost-share and incentive payments are limited to $10,000 per person per year and to $50,000 per person per year contract.

Contact Name and Phone Number: Robert Molleur (202)720-6521

Statute: P.L.104-127 (16 U.S.C. 3836a)

Direct or Indirect Linkage to Drought: Indirect

Functions: Response, Mitigation

Agencies (primary agency listed first): USDA--NRCS; Partners: DOI--FWS, state wildlife agencies

Funding History (1985 to the present): Obligated $25 million in each of 2 years, FY 1998 and FY 1999

Type of Assistance / Examples: Technical assistance and financial assistance in the form of cost-share payments to develop wildlife habitat on private land. Agreements generally last from 5 to 10 years. NRCS has the authority to declare a wildlife emergency and offer shorter-term agreements as a result of catastrophic natural or man-made events.

Examples: Farmers and ranchers may be able to receive technical and financial assistance to install practices which improve wildlife habitat.

Integration with State, Tribal, or Local Government: Voluntary assistance for any private landowner, based on state wildlife habitat priorities.

Effectiveness: There is an emergency provision that could be directed to alleviate drought impacts on wildlife.

Program Limitations/ Recommendations: Program offers cost-share assistance only for wildlife habitat development. Current statute contains $50 million cap which will be expended as of the end of FY99.

Contact Name and Phone Number: Leslie Deavers (202) 720-1067

Statute: PL 74-46, PL 75-210 Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act of 1937, PL 87-703, PL-89-796, PL 97-98 Agriculture and Food Act of 1981

Direct or Indirect Linkage to Drought: Indirect

Functions: Communication, Mitigation, Monitoring and Prediction, Planning, Response

Agencies (primary agency listed first): USDA--NRCS, FS, CSREES

Funding History (1985 to the present): Annual program appropriations (no funding specifically for drought-related projects): $35 million (FY 2000), averaging $30 million annually during the last 15 years

Type of Assistance / Examples: Technical assistance to develop and implement drought mitigation plans and also facilitate groups to rally the community in rapid response to a drought. RC&D designated areas are involved in monitoring weather conditions and streamflows.

Examples: States, Tribes, and towns located in an RC&D area may be able to receive technical assistance for drought planning, etc.

Integration with State, Tribal, or Local Government: Area council members are local leaders, who may include state, tribal, and local government officials and federal agency representatives. Council members are volunteers. Projects require sponsors and/or partnerships for funding and support.

Effectiveness: Issues addressed are determined locally by the Council.

Program Limitations/ Recommendations: No financial assistance funds are available and only about 75 % of the country is covered.

Contact Name and Phone Number: Terry D'Addio (202) 720-0557

Statute: Section 2501G of the FACT Act of 1990

Direct or Indirect Linkage to Drought: Direct

Functions: Response

Agencies (primary agency listed first): USDA--NRCS, FSA, APHIS

Funding History (1985 to the present): No data

Type of Assistance / Examples: Technical assistance to individuals or community units in Indian country. Indian communities as well as Indian farms and ranches should have conservation plans developed and facilitation provided to address the rapid response.

Examples: Native Americans may be able to receive technical assistance to help them address drought problems.

Integration with State, Tribal, or Local Government: No data

Effectiveness: No data

Program Limitations/ Recommendations: Indian lands are not all included in conservation districts, and field offices are not staffed adequately. Cultural differences may also hinder timely assistance and acceptance of that assistance.

Contact Name and Phone Number: Joan Comanor, Director, Community Assistance and Resource Development Division (202) 720-5297

Statute: Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, as amended, Section 310B, Public Law 92-419, 7 U.S.C. 1932

Direct or Indirect Linkage to Drought: Indirect

Functions: Mitigation, Response

Agencies (primary agency listed first): USDA--RD

Funding History (1985 to the present): No data

Type of Assistance / Examples: Financial assistance to eligible entities for various purposes, including capital expenditures, working capital, equipment, and refinancing. Purposes can include repair of damage to businesses resulting from a natural disaster.

Integration with State, Tribal, or Local Government: No data

Effectiveness: No data

Program Limitations/ Recommendations: There is a limit on population: applicants who are located in cities or towns with populations above 50,000 or in adjacent built-up areas are not eligible.

Contact Name and Phone Number: William F. Hagy, III (202) 720-7287

Statute: Disaster Assistance Act of 1989, Title 5

Direct or Indirect Linkage to Drought: Indirect

Functions: Response

Agencies (primary agency listed first): USDA--RD

Funding History (1985 to the present): No data

Type of Assistance / Examples: Financial assistance to the residents of rural areas that have experienced a significant decline in quantity or quality of water to obtain adequate quantities of water that meet the standards set by the SDWA (42 U.S.C. 300 f et seq.). Grants can be made to alleviate a significant decline in quantity or quality of the water available from water supplies in rural areas that occurred within two years of filing an application for assistance.

Integration with State, Tribal, or Local Government: No data

Effectiveness: No data

Program Limitations/ Recommendations: Grants cannot exceed $500,000. Grants for repairs, partial replacement, or significant maintenance on an established water system cannot exceed $75,000.

Contact Name and Phone Number: Gary Morgan (202) 690-2670

Statute: Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act; 7 U.S.C. 1929

Direct or Indirect Linkage to Drought: Indirect

Functions: Mitigation, Response

Agencies (primary agency listed first): USDA--RUS (RD)

Funding History (1985 to the present): 1999: loans for drinking water, $454.8 million; grants for drinking water, $275 million. 1985-98: loans ranged from $211--$475 million; grants ranged from $84.9--$233 million.

Type of Assistance / Examples: Financial assistance to utilities serving rural areas that demonstrate a need to develop or improve water or wastewater disposal systems.

Integration with State, Tribal, or Local Government: Tribes receive special consideration for program funding.

Effectiveness: In FY 1999, approximately 750,000 people living in rural areas began drinking safe water from water systems financed by WW loans and grants.

Program Limitations/ Recommendations: Assistance can be provided only to cities and towns with population up to 10,000. State-allocated funding could be inadequate to address serious drought impacts in a state or region.

Contact Name and Phone Number: Gary Morgan (202) 690-2670

Statute: Not applicable

Direct or Indirect Linkage to Drought: Direct

Functions: Monitoring and Prediction

Agencies (primary agency listed first): DOC--NOAA, CPC;

USDA-- National Drought Mitigation Center

Funding History (1985 to the present): Information on drought-related funding not available

Type of Assistance / Examples: Technical assistance. Map and text describing location of drought across the country. Drought/dryness areas classified by intensity and primary impact. Forecast trend changes indicated. Available via Internet and NWS dissemination channels.

Example: Continued development of improved drought indices designed to be more realistic.

Integration with State, Tribal, or Local Government: Special e-mail lists enable weekly coordination with state, regional, and national offices. Internet availability. NWS DIFAX maps planned to ensure distribution to NWS offices.

Effectiveness: Product became official in Sept. 1999. Too early to judge effectiveness.

Program Limitations/ Recommendations: While offering a concise summary of drought, may not meet the needs of local and regional interests, where impacts are often dependent on origin of water supplies. Intended as a national summary of drought. Not detailed enough in all cases to serve local interests.

Contact Name and Phone Number: Douglas Le Comte, Climate Prediction Center (301) 763-8000 ext. 7567

Statute: Memorandum of Agreement with land management agencies

Direct or Indirect Linkage to Drought: Indirect

Functions: Monitoring and Prediction

Agencies (primary agency listed first): DOC--NOAA, NWS

Funding History (1985 to the present): Information on drought-related funding not available

Type of Assistance / Examples: Technical assistance. NWS at the Weather Forecast Office level monitors weather products and keeps interested agencies informed of fire threats.

Integration with State, Tribal, or Local Government: Works closely with federal and state land management agencies in person, via NWS telecom links, and via the Internet.

Effectiveness: Not applicable

Program Limitations/ Recommendations: Improved weather forecasts would benefit the program, especially those tailored toward the fire community and those relating to drought prospects.

Contact Name and Phone Number: Paul Stokols, NOAA/NWS (301) 713-1677 ext. 131

Statute: Publication issued under general authority of the Act of January 12, 1895 (44 U.S.C. 213), 53rd Congress, 3rd Session

Direct or Indirect Linkage to Drought: Indirect

Functions: Monitoring and Prediction

Agencies (primary agency listed first): DOC--NOAA manages, prints, & sends out bulletin (joint effort with USDA).

Funding History (1985 to the present): Information on drought-related funding not available

Type of Assistance / Examples: Technical assistance. Publication updates weekly weather in the United States, including narrative summaries, temperature and precipitation maps and tables, PDI maps and CMI maps during the growing season, and pan evaporation maps.

Integration with State, Tribal, or Local Government: Subscribers to the print edition include a diverse range of individuals and offices. Also available on the Internet.

Effectiveness: Not applicable

Program Limitations/ Recommendations: Publication does not directly address drought but covers all significant weather occurrences, especially those related to agriculture. Little reference to nonagricultural droughts such as hydrological drought.

Contact Name and Phone Number: David Miskus, Editor, Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin (202) 720-7919

Statute: PL 89-136, Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 as amended by the Economic Development Administration Reform Act of 1998 (PL 105-393)

Direct or Indirect Linkage to Drought: Indirect

Functions: Mitigation, Response

Agencies (primary agency listed first): DOC--EDA

Funding History (1985 to the present): No significant drought-related funding since about 20 years ago, when a special appropriation was made for drought relief.

Type of Assistance / Examples: Financial assistance. Grants to qualified economically distressed areas, a nonprofit organization, an economic development district, or a state or political subdivision thereof, to prevent serious economic dislocations or to reestablish employment opportunities after a sudden and significant dislocation occurs. Grants can fund public infrastructure business loans or technical assistance.

Integration with State, Tribal, or Local Government: Customers are encouraged to contact local EDA representatives. The Web site also provides a link.

Effectiveness: Performance measures developed would be consistent with other EDA activities.

Program Limitations/ Recommendations: Absent a federal disaster declaration, an affected area would have to meet the agency's criteria for economic distress. Grants usually provide 50% of project cost; supplemental grants depend on level of distress. Need improved ability to plan for drought disasters, as by early warning of objective indicators such as low reservoir levels, etc.

Contact Name and Phone Number: David Whischi, Director, Economic Development Division (202) 482-2659

Statute: Not a budget line item; parts of the program are funded.

Direct or Indirect Linkage to Drought: Indirect

Functions: Mitigation, Monitoring and Prediction

Agencies (primary agency listed first): DOC--NOAA, EDA, NIST, BEA, BXA

Funding History (1985 to the present): Information on drought-related funding not available

Type of Assistance / Examples: This technical assistance is a DOC strategy for natural disaster reduction involving mainly NOAA, NIST, and EDA. Goal is to reduce the cost to society and commerce of natural disasters and to reduce the risk to human life, personal property, infrastructure, and natural resources. Program elements include: hazard identification; application of new technologies to warning and dissemination systems; improved predictions; technology transfer; training, education, and outreach; strengthening state, local, federal, and industry disaster mitigation capabilities; enhancing post-disaster response and recovery; and export of natural disaster reduction technologies.

Integration with State, Tribal, or Local Government: Not applicable

Effectiveness: Not applicable

Program Limitations/ Recommendations: Not applicable

Contact Name and Phone Number: Donald Wernly, NOAA (301) 713-0090 ext. 138

Statute: Not applicable

Direct or Indirect Linkage to Drought: Indirect

Functions: Monitoring and Prediction

Agencies (primary agency listed first): DOC--NOAA, NESDIS

Funding History (1985 to the present): Information on drought-related funding not available

Type of Assistance / Examples: Technical assistance. Publishes maps and tables on Web site (water.dnr.state.sc.us/water/climate/sercc/drought_info.html) that include drought index and precipitation data. Also has links to other Web sites dealing with drought.

Integration with State, Tribal, or Local Government: Web is primary purveyor of information.

Effectiveness: Not applicable

Program Limitations/ Recommendations: Insufficient resources to monitor and assess drought. NWS data not applicable for drought. Need people (1.5) dedicated to monitoring and assessing drought. Need more useful data, such as that from USDA's SCAN.

Contact Name and Phone Number: Alfred H. Bang, Southeastern Regional Climate Center (803) 737-0800

Statute: Not applicable

Direct or Indirect Linkage to Drought: Indirect

Functions: Monitoring and Prediction

Agencies (primary agency listed first): DOC--NOAA, NESDIS

Funding History (1985 to the present): Information on drought-related funding not available

Type of Assistance / Examples: Technical assistance. Produces a section on its Web site (www.wrcc.dri.edu/monitor/quarterly.html) under "WGA/WRCC Quarterly Reports and Information" that includes western climate and water status reports.

Integration with State, Tribal, or Local Government: Web is primary purveyor of information.

Effectiveness: Not applicable

Program Limitations/ Recommendations: Not applicable

Contact Name and Phone Number: Kelly Redmond (702) 677-3139

Statute: Not applicable

Direct or Indirect Linkage to Drought: Indirect

Functions: Monitoring and Prediction

Agencies (primary agency listed first): DOC--NOAA, NESDIS, NCDC

Funding History (1985 to the present): Information on drought-related funding not available

Type of Assistance / Examples: Technical assistance. Publishes Climate Variations Bulletin that documents anomalous weather in the U.S. monthly and seasonally, including drought. Also publishes Climatic Extremes and Weather Events on NCDC/NOAA Web site that documents major droughts and other significant events.

Integration with State, Tribal, or Local Government: Much data and information available on Web site (www.ncdc.noaa.gov). Numerous paper publications are sent out. Works closely with regional climate centers.

Effectiveness: Not applicable

Program Limitations/ Recommendations: Not applicable

Contact Name and Phone Number: Tom Ross (704) 271-4994

Statute: Not applicable

Direct or Indirect Linkage to Drought: Indirect

Functions: Monitoring and Prediction

Agencies (primary agency listed first): DOC--NOAA, NWS Office of Hydrology

Funding History (1985 to the present): Information on drought-related funding not available

Type of Assistance / Examples: Publishes drought statements issued by NWSFO's and water resource statements for affected areas issued by NWS River Forecast Centers.

Integration with State, Tribal, or Local Government: Web-oriented integration

Effectiveness: Not applicable

Program Limitations/ Recommendations: Not applicable

Contact Name and Phone Number: Joanna Dionne, Manager, Hydrometeoro-logical Information Center (301) 713-1630

Statute: Not applicable

Direct or Indirect Linkage to Drought: Indirect

Functions: Monitoring and Prediction

Agencies (primary agency listed first): DOC--NOAA, NESDIS (primary U.S. NOAA partici-pants). Also NOAA-OGP, OAR, OFCM, NCEP/ CPC

Funding History (1985 to the present): No data

Type of Assistance / Examples: Technical assistance. The Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS), created in 1984 as a result of the international Economic Summit of Industrialized Nations, serves as the focal point for international coordination of space-related Earth observation activities. The Disaster Management Support Project was initiated in 1997 to foster improved utilization of existing and planned Earth observation satellite data. Toward this goal, the Project has assembled a number of hazard teams tasked with providing recommendations. The drought team has made several recommendations on the use of future satellite systems. In an interim report published in 1998, the drought team concluded that accurate drought prediction as well as early warning of drought onset can reduce drought-related loss of life as well as human suffering.

Integration with State, Tribal, or Local Government: A project information server (www.ceos.noaa.gov) provides satellite-derived information on various disasters, including drought, as well as background information and links to disaster Internet sites. The project holds outreach meetings in various parts of the world.

Effectiveness: Not applicable

Program Limitations/ Recommendations: Not applicable

Contact Name and Phone Number: Helen Wood NESDIS (Chair) (301) 457-5125

Statute: Not applicable

Direct or Indirect Linkage to Drought: Indirect

Functions: Monitoring and Prediction

Agencies (primary agency listed first): DOC--NOAA, NWS Climate Prediction Center

Funding History (1985 to the present): Information on drought-related funding not available

Type of Assistance / Examples: Technical assistance. A probabilistic ("tilt of the odds") forecast of the likelihood of above- or below-normal average temperature and total precipitation during the following calendar month and all 3-month periods for the ensuing year. The forecasts are issued shortly after the middle of each month and are analyzed across the contiguous 48 states.

Integration with State, Tribal, or Local Government: Not applicable

Effectiveness: Forecasts display weak skill over climatology during the cold season and especially during El Nino or La Nina events. Otherwise, little skill.

Program Limitations/ Recommendations: Not as useful at forecasting drought prior to the onset of at least minimally dry conditions; no quantitative precipitation forecasts. Use the long-lead forecasts to produce drought forecasts (see Experimental Drought Outlook). Needs: 1) sufficient research and verification data; 2) greater ability to communicate the meanings and limitations of the forecasts to users; 3) flexibility to tailor forecasts to specific user needs, and/or educate users sufficiently so that they can obtain information pertinent to their interests from the forecasts.

Contact Name and Phone Number: Ed O'Lenic Climate Prediction Center (301) 763-8000 ext. 7528

Statute: Not applicable

Direct or Indirect Linkage to Drought: Direct

Functions: Monitoring and Prediction

Agencies (primary agency listed first): DOC--NOAA, NWS Climate Prediction Center

Funding History (1985 to the present): Information on drought-related funding not available

Type of Assistance / Examples: Technical assistance. A map depicting areas where drought is expected to persist, weaken, or intensify over the next 1 to 2 seasons. Largely based on the CPC long-range outlooks.

Integration with State, Tribal, or Local Government: None outside of DOC management

Effectiveness: Informal qualitative assessment indicates that the forecasts have been quite accurate in showing seasonal trends in drought.

Program Limitations/ Recommendations: Based on subjective interpretations of seasonal forecasts of precipitation and temperatures as well as model forecasts of soil moisture. An objective scheme is needed, and this is planned for summer 2001, using output from dynamic coupled models.

Contact Name and Phone Number: Douglas Le Comte, Climate Prediction Center (301) 763-8000 ext. 7567

Statute: Not applicable

Direct or Indirect Linkage to Drought: Indirect

Functions: Monitoring and Prediction

Agencies (primary agency listed first): DOC--NOAA, NWS Climate Prediction Center

Funding History (1985 to the present): Information on drought-related funding not available

Type of Assistance / Examples: Weekly map and text issued on the Internet and through NWS channels, depicting significant weather events next 3 to 10 days, with occasional seasonal forecasts when appropriate. Events include drought, heavy snow, heavy rains, flooding, high surf, extreme temperatures, etc.

Integration with State, Tribal, or Local Government: Not applicable

Effectiveness: Unknown

Program Limitations/ Recommendations: Forecast skill declines each day and is quite minimal beyond 7 days. Customers have suggested that objective criteria for defining threats be published.

Contact Name and Phone Number: Ed O'Lenic Climate Prediction Center (301) 763-8000 ext. 7528

Statute: Not applicable

Direct or Indirect Linkage to Drought: Indirect

Functions: Monitoring and Prediction

Agencies (primary agency listed first): DOC--NOAA, NWS Climate Prediction Center

Funding History (1985 to the present): Information on drought-related funding not available

Type of Assistance / Examples: Technical assistance. A myriad of climate monitoring data and products, including absolute and anomalous temperature and precipitation analyses for varying time periods across the U.S. and the world; a modified weekly Palmer Drought Index, Crop Moisture Index, and other related climate division indices; La Nina and El Nino monitoring, forecasts, and sensible weather correlations; long-term U.S. seasonal temperature and precipitation trends; diagnostic upper-air and ocean surface analyses; a weekly discussion of ongoing global weather anomalies of significant duration; and frequently experimental products.

Integration with State, Tribal, or Local Government: Not applicable

Effectiveness: Not applicable

Program Limitations/ Recommendations: Automated and experimental products and data lack intensive quality control. Only a few products are specifically tailored to study individual anomalies with specific spatial extent and duration (including but not limited to drought), though such information can be derived from many of the data and products. Needs: computer space for online archival; adequate public awareness and understanding of website contents; much more reliable data; more data coverage; receipt of data in standard formats to facilitate automated ingestion into products; more metadata.

Contact Name and Phone Number: Ed O'Lenic Climate Prediction Center (301) 763-8000 ext. 7528

Statute: Not applicable

Direct or Indirect Linkage to Drought: Indirect

Functions: Monitoring and Prediction

Agencies (primary agency listed first): DOC--NOAA, OGP

Funding History (1985 to the present): Information on drought-related funding not available

Type of Assistance / Examples: Technical assistance. NOAA's Office of Global Programs' initiative, the Climate Information Project, issues frequent updates on weather-climate impacts for the world. All significant weather and climate events are covered, including drought. Information from numerous sources assembled and sent as e-mail to interested individuals. Information also posted on the Web: www.cip.ogp.noaa.gov.

Integration with State, Tribal, or Local Government: Available on the Internet. E-mail notices to meteorological agencies within and outside the USA, including WMO. Also to humanitarian agencies and the interested public.

Effectiveness: Not applicable

Program Limitations/ Recommendations: Not applicable

Contact Name and Phone Number: Kelly Spornberg (301) 427-2089 ext. 194

Statute: Regional Operations Manual Letter (ROML) W-3-98

Direct or Indirect Linkage to Drought: Direct

Functions: Monitoring and Prediction

Agencies (primary agency listed first): DOC--NWS

Funding History (1985 to the present): None. Drought products are part of the event-driven suite of products issued by all Western Region WFPs.

Type of Assistance / Examples: Issuance of Water Supply Summaries by NWS offices when Drought Program in active status. Each Western Region office implements a Drought Program. The MIC (Meteorologist-in-Charge) of each office is designated as the Drought Information Officer (DIO) for that office's county warning area. The DIO works closely with the River Forecast Centers in monitoring and assessing drought conditions.

Integration with State, Tribal, or Local Government: Products are coordinated with state and local entities involved with drought to ensure that they are compatible with other agency products and press releases.

Effectiveness: Products were very effective in conveying drought-related information to emergency managers, elected officials, the media, and the general public.

Program Limitations/ Recommendations: Not applicable

Contact Name and Phone Number: Gregg Rishel, Deputy Chief, Western Region Hydrologic Services Division (801) 524-5137

Statute: Regional Operations Manual Letter (ROML) E-10-94

Direct or Indirect Linkage to Drought: Direct

Functions: Monitoring and Prediction

Agencies (primary agency listed first): DOC--NWS

Funding History (1985 to the present): Not applicable

Type of Assistance / Examples: Technical assistance. NWS Forecast Offices (NWSFO) and NWS Offices (NWSO) issue Drought/Water Resources statements via AFOS when conditions warrant. Statements issued the second and fourth Wednesday of each month by each affected NWSFO and NWSO. The River Forecast Centers (RFCs) provide basic statistics such as totals, normals, and departures from normals.

Example: Should issue weekly instead of biweekly when situation warrants. Need to make use of the new hydrological forecast system and need improved weather forecasts.

Integration with State, Tribal, or Local Government: Uses Internet to link to WSOs and RFCs.

Effectiveness: Program appears effective, based on feedback from primary customers (state agencies, emergency management officials, the public).

Program Limitations/ Recommendations: Drought forecast products covering the next 3 to 10 days would be helpful for both external users and forecast offices. They could be issued via Family Services and AWIPS.

Contact Name and Phone Number: Peter Gabrielsen, Deputy Regional Hydrologist (516) 244-0113

Statute: Safe Drinking Water Act

Direct or Indirect Linkage to Drought: Indirect

Functions: Communication

Agencies (primary agency listed first): EPA

Funding History (1985 to the present): 1997: $100K; 1998: $100K; 1999: $100K

Type of Assistance / Examples: Technical assistance. Voluntary guidelines for use by State DWSRF programs.

Example: Voluntary use by States.

Integration with State, Tribal, or Local Government: Water systems with a water conservation plan may be better able to withstand drought.

Effectiveness: At least half of states do not require water systems to submit a water conservation plan.

Program Limitations/ Recommendations: Seven states have requested a workshop on water conservation planning.

Contact Name and Phone Number: John Flowers (202) 260-7288

Statute: Safe Drinking Water Act

Direct or Indirect Linkage to Drought: Indirect

Functions: Response

Agencies (primary agency listed first): EPA, States

Funding History (1985 to the present): Funding is for entire program; drought-related use is not segregable.

1997: $1.3 billion; 1998: $0.7 billion; 1999: $0.8 billion; 2000: $0.8 billion

Type of Assistance / Examples: Financial assistance. Capitalizes state loan funds for drinking water infrastructure. Most states can fund projects on an emergency basis.

Example: States must have emergency provisions in Intended Use Plan.

Integration with State, Tribal, or Local Government: Water systems on the priority list may qualify for emergency funding of system improvements in certain states.

Effectiveness: Unknown

Program Limitations/ Recommendations: Unknown

Contact Name and Phone Number: Veronica Blette (202) 260-3980

Statute: Clean Water Act

Direct or Indirect Linkage to Drought: Indirect

Functions: Mitigation, Response

Agencies (primary agency listed first): EPA, States

Funding History (1985 to the present): Funding is for entire program; drought-related use is not segregable.

1989: $0.9 billion; 1990: $1.0 billion; 1991: $2.0 billion; 1992: $1.9 billion; 1993: $1.9 billion; 1994: $1.2 billion; 1995: $1.2 billion; 1996: $2.1 billion; 1997: $0.6 billion; 1998: $1.4 billion; 1999: $1.4 billion; 2000: $1.4 billion

Type of Assistance / Examples: Financial assistance. Capitalizes state loan funds for wastewater infrastructure, including reclamation and reuse, agricultural runoff control, estuary restoration, and limited water conservation measures. In 1991, California initiated an agricultural water conservation program using their SRF allocation. State agricultural districts use SRF loans to purchase irrigation equipment that is then leased to farmers so that they can convert to more water-efficient irrigation methods. California has loaned approximately $45 million to seven districts thus far.

Example: States set priorities. Water conservation improvement must be publicly owned.

Integration with State, Tribal, or Local Government: Wastewater systems, others can receive loan funding for publicly owned structural water conservation/reuse improvements and some nonstructural measures.

Effectiveness: Unknown

Program Limitations/ Recommendations: Unknown

Contact Name and Phone Number: Sheila Hoover (202) 260-7376

Statute: Section 2204c of the Disaster Assistance Act of 1988, Public Law 100-387

Direct or Indirect Linkage to Drought: Direct

Functions: Monitoring and Prediction, Mitigation, Risk Management

Agencies (primary agency listed first): USDA--ARS

Funding History (1985 to the present): 1999, $18 million; 1990-1998: $3 million to $17 million, progressively increasing each year (estimates).

Type of Assistance / Examples: Technical assistance to develop new and improved drought preparedness and mitigation approaches and technologies

Integration with State, Tribal, or Local Government: Collaborative research with several land-grant universities and with federal agencies for use by impacted communities

Effectiveness: Program has been effective in drought mitigation technologies for water conservation in agriculture and reuse of urban wastewater. Limited progress has been made with drought-tolerant and drought-resistant crops.

Program Limitations/ Recommendations: A science-based action plan is needed that will accelerate both the development and adoption of drought preparedness and mitigation approaches that have the potential to reduce the impacts of drought on rural communities. Current program on drought monitoring could be strengthened by taking advantage of recent advances in technology.

Contact Name and Phone Number: David Farrell ARS

Statute: Section 420 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, P. L. 93-288 (the Stafford Act)

Direct or Indirect Linkage to Drought: Direct in Section 102 (2) of the Stafford Act; Section 420, however, does not specifically mention drought.

Functions: Response

Agencies (primary agency listed first): FEMA

Funding History (1985 to the present): $175,138,154* (includes administrative expenses)

Type of Assistance / Examples: Financial assistance in the form of cost-shared grants; technical assistance

Integration with State, Tribal, or Local Government: State enters into an agreement for fire suppression assistance with FEMA. This agreement outlines the conditions for receiving assistance and cost-sharing arrangements.

Effectiveness: Effective in assisting states in combating fires in the wildland/urban interface (a frequent secondary effect of drought).

Program Limitations/ Recommendations: This program is being redesigned, in coordination with state emergency managers and foresters, to better address state needs in combating fires in the wildland/urban interface. The regulatory process will give interested parties the opportunity to comment on the program when the proposed regulations are published.

Contact Name and Phone Number: No data

Statute: Section 410 of the Stafford Act

Direct or Indirect Linkage to Drought: Direct in Section 102 (2) of the Stafford Act; Section 410, however, does not specifically mention drought.

Functions: Response

Agencies (primary agency listed first): FEMA

Funding History (1985 to the present): $0* for drought $1,147,650* for fires in the wildland/urban interface (does not include administrative expenses)

Type of Assistance / Examples: Financial assistance in the form of grants (typically in the form of unemployment checks)

Integration with State, Tribal, or Local Government: The Department of Labor administers this program for FEMA. Consequently, all unemployed individuals must register with the State Employment Security Agency before they can receive program benefits.

Effectiveness: Effective for providing assistance to those whose employment has been terminated by drought, such as migrant workers.

Program Limitations/ Recommendations: This program provides federal disaster assistance to those individuals in need of unemployment assistance or reemployment services.

Contact Name and Phone Number: No data