Preparing For Drought in the 21st Century

This book is included in the Natural Disasters section.

wwhmurray1

Foreword
In July 1998, the 105th Congress enacted Public Law 105-199, the National Drought Policy Act (Appendix A). This law established “an advisory commission to provide advice and recommendations on the creation of an integrated, coordinated Federal policy designed to prepare for and respond to serious drought emergencies.” The law directed the Commission to “conduct a thorough study and submit a report on national drought policy.”

Commission members were chosen according to provisions in the Act, which required representation of federal and nonfederal government entities and the private sector. The Act directed the current Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Dan Glickman, to chair the Commission. Members of the Commission selected Ronald R. Morriss, County Supervisor of Santa Cruz County, Arizona, and representing the National Association of Counties, as Vice Chair.

This document constitutes the report of the National Drought Policy Commission. The report presents the basis for national drought policy and calls for commitment and resolve in providing sufficient resources to achieve the policy goals.

None of our recommendations should be construed as diminishing the rights of states to control water through state law, as specifically directed by the National Drought Policy Act, nor as interfering in any way with state, local, and tribal sovereignty. All of our recommendations should be considered in light of the need to protect the environment, as also required by the National Drought Policy Act.

SUMMARY
Drought will occur at some time every year in the United States. It can and does extend over long periods and large areas, and it brings hardship.

Each time drought occurs, many of the same issues are raised. Principally, how much damage was inflicted, on whom, and where? Who is going to pay for it? How can we prevent or at least reduce damages and their costs in the future?

In 1998, Congress passed the National Drought Policy Act. The Act stated that this nation would benefit from national drought policy based on preparedness and mitigation to reduce the need for emergency relief. It acknowledged that this country has no consistent, comprehensive policy driving the federal role to help reduce the impacts of drought. The Act also created the National Drought Policy Commission to advise Congress on how best to:

Integrate federal drought laws and programs with ongoing state, local, and tribal programs into a comprehensive national policy to mitigate the impacts of and respond to drought.
Improve public awareness of the need for drought mitigation.
Achieve a coordinated approach to drought mitigation and response by governments and nongovernmental entities, including academic, private, and nonprofit interests.


Table of Contents
SUMMARY
FROM RELIEF TO READINESS 
OPPORTUNITY FOR ACTION 
CONSEQUENCES OF DROUGHT 
DEFINING DROUGHT
	Stored Water and Natural Water Droughts 
FINDINGS 
	Drought Programs 
		States 
		Regional Entities 
		Localities 
		Tribes 
		Federal Government 
			Planning 
			Mitigation 
			Monitoring/prediction and Research
			Insurance 
			Relief 
	Need to Coordinate Drought-related Programs 
	Need for Public Education 
	Need to Address Environmental Concerns 
	Need to Address Drought-related Wildfires 
	Need for Training and Technical Assistance 
	Need to Address International Drought-related Issues

CONCLUSIONS
RECOMMENDATIONS
APPENDIX A: The National Drought Policy Act
APPENDIX B: Information Available from the National Drought Policy Commission

End of Preview.

RETURN to Main Titles Index or Natural Disasters

Please Read The Website Disclaimer!
Copyright 1986-2012, The Survival & Self-Reliance Studies Institute (SSRsi), All Rights Reserved
Site conceptualized, designed, created & maintained by MEG Raven
Snail Mail: SSRsi, PO Box 2572 Dillon, CO. 80435-2572