STRATEGY FOR THE FUTURE National Policy The advent of modern weather modification technology along with the utilization of that technology makes it imperative that a truly national weather modification policy be adopted. That policy can not be merely a federal policy developed and implementated by the federal establishment. With weather extremes and severe weather events touching everybody's life, it is logical that the full range of federal, state, local government and private sectors become involved. The multitude of weather characteristics across this nation coupled with the various wants and desires of various segments of the public would argue for a comprehensive but flexible policy that will fit the emerging problems five, ten and fifty years from now. For this reason, it is suggested that the initial step would be a broad scale investigation of what weather modification technology is today, what it can do and can't do, and what it should do in the years ahead. The field has progressed to the point that we need a lead federal agency to foster the broad advancements of the technology rather than a fragmented approach that has been used in the past. That federal agency should stand ready to assist and coordinate with State and local interest involved in the field rather than try to control such local efforts. The ultimate goal should be to provide a technology that is useable for the benefit of the public. Research and Development It is believed that continued research and development in the field of weather modification should have a high priority. In a field as young as this, basically less than a third of a century, and dealing with as complex a set of variables as exhibited by weather conditions, continued research and development is needed. In addition to basic research into the underlying theories and principles governing weather phenomenon, a great deal of applied research is required. This should include the development aspects of the field. Some applied research can be tied to operational programs currently underway. Operational Programs Continuation of State-local operational programs appears desirable. While it is recognized that a massive influx of federal dollars carrying out a federally dominated program may be more efficient and may develop the overall technology at a faster rate, the overriding "people problem" must be considered. With an item as basic as weather and its impact upon an individual's way of life, it appears almost impossible to carry out an acceptable program without some type of local input and control. The need for broad based support of any weather modification program in the future appears necessary. Locally supported and controlled programs will have set-backs as well as years of good progress. But without broad understanding and support, major programs will eventually be scrapped. 5 International Needs The International aspects of weather modification activities, especially as it affects our neighbors in Canada and Mexico must be considered. The Council has incorporated their interest primarily at the request of people in the weather modification fields in these two countries. The exchange of operational information, techniques and evaluation results has proven useful. As the technology matures and larger weather systems are modified international agreements become necessary. CURRENT BILLS UNDER CONSIDERATION H. R. 10039 The NAIWMC at its second annual meeting in January 1976 considered H. R. 10039 and concluded the bill was premature at this time. It was believed the passage of such a bill would create more problems than it would solve. While many of the features contained in H. R. 10039 may prove to be desirable, further study and consideration are necessary before such requirements are established. Of major concern was Title III calling for a rather complicated Weather Modification Control, Reporting Requirements and Penalties system. It is believed the present system providing for the reporting of weather modification activities (PL92-205) is adequate when coupled with individual State reporting and regulation activities. While it is recognized not all States have adequate reporting and regulating statutes, those States that do have statutes and regulations have tailored such requirements to meet the individual State's needs. Also of concern was Title IV on International Weather Modification Control and the close regulation over private enterprise activities in foreign nations. Past experience indicates that often foreign projects are initiated to handle quickly emerging disasters. It is questionable if the regulatory machinery proposed at the federal level would be useful in handling such emergencies. Without further evidence of the need for such regulation of foreign activities the Council believed it would be harmful to establish such regulation at this time. Rather a positive program to help export and import weather modification technology and knowledge as is being carried out by other Nations may be more desirable. S. 3383 6 development of weather modification technology, the problems impeding effective implementation of weather modification technology and related matters. With amendments added in the Senate the investigation would include aspects dealing with international agreements concerning the peaceful uses of weather modification. Enactment of the bill would be a positive step toward developing and utilizing weather modification technology. Completion of the one years study would provide the basis of a comprehensive and coordinated federal weather modification policy and a federal program of weather modification research and development. For this reason, the NAIWMC urges passage of the bill. At the same time, however, it is believed the proposal could be strengthened and turned into a truly national weather modification policy and program by incorporating in a more concrete way the activities and interests of the other two segments involved in weather modification activities. Namely, the States and private industry. In order to incorporate the knowledge from State and local administrators and the private sector, it is suggested that Congress establish an independent Commission to carry out the functions of S. 3383. It is suggested the Commission be composed of nine members to be appointed by the President, not more than two of which are representatives of each of the following categories: federal government, the states, colleges and universities, private industry dealing with weather modification and private industry or individuals involved in the production of agricultural products or energy, and who by virtue of their experience and education are knowledgeable in the field of weather modification. It is anticipated the Commission would utilize the Department of Commerce staff and would solicit and consider the views of other Federal agencies, State agencies, private firms, institutions of higher learning and other interested persons in carrying out the intent of S. 3383. SUMMARY In summary, the NAIWMC and its members are anxious to work with the Committee and with federal agencies in developing and enhancing weather modification technology. The technology, as well as the Council I represent, have a long way to go to become fully useable and acceptable. But the potential benefits are so great that efforts must be continued and enlarged. The development of a comprehensive and coordinated national weather modification policy is a step in the right direction. Kent Bucke Vern W. Butler, Chairman NORTH AMERICAN INTERSTATE WEATHER MODIFICATION COUNCIL Filed with the Subcommittee are the following items: 1. By-Laws of NAIWMC 2. 3. 7 Resolutions adopted in January 1975 and in January 1976 by the Council. Report on South Dakota's Weather Modification Program entitled "The South Dakota Weather Modification Program, History, Operations and Evaluation", March 1976. STATEMENT OF VERN W. BUTLER, NORTH AMERICAN INTERSTATE WEATHER MODIFICATION COUNCIL, PIERRE, S. DAK. Mr. BUTLER. Thank you, Mr. Brown. I will lift some parts from the text and also answer any questions you might have. I am pleased to be able to participate in the committee's deliberations regarding the field of weather modification. Actually, while I do serve as chairman for this North American Interstate Weather Modification Council, I really make my living serving as secretary of the South Dakota Department of Natural Resource Development. To give you a little background on the North American Interstate Weather Modification Council, the council is a relatively new organization, having been formed in January 1975 for the purpose of repre senting user organizations in the field of weather modification. Regular membership is open to the States, the Canadian Provinces, and Mexico. And in this past year, 1976, the affiliate membership was opened to political subdivisions within States or Provinces and professional organizations and societies and to national agencies. We basically have representation from individuals that are closely associated with the regulation or operation or research in weather modification programs. I will not go into the purpose of the council other than to say as part of its adopted bylaws we basically are trying to assist organizations in planning, design, implementation, coordination, and assessment of weather modification, and also, and I think this is important, to provide a forum for exchange of experienced data and information about weather modification. Really we are looking at something beyond the research and technical aspects of weather modification. We are looking more at the administration, regulation, things of this nature. This is why we are trying to deal primarily with State and local people involved. I provide this background to apprise the committee of our interest and concern with the practice of weather modification and to indicate that we are talking about the very things that some of the bills that are before Congress and paricularly before this committee. I would like to comment briefly about the overall field of weather modification technology, some of the strategy we foresee for the future and then relate to the current bills before the committee, H.R. 10039 and S. 3383. I will not go too much into the technology other than to say that the council is concerned with the state-of-the-art research and experimentation, but it is also concerned with the actual application of the technology as it is known today. Many of the operational programs are financed by local and State governments and in some cases by voluntary donation. These are the things that we are mostly concerned with. Two examples are briefly discussed here. For example, the State of Utah is operating an operational program to increase wintertime snowpack. It is relying primarily upon the technology developed in long-term projects such as in California. They use ground based silver iodide generators, some 15,000 or a little over hours of generation took place this past winter season. |