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Apr il 1 April 3 Apri 1 28 May 4-5 May 6 June 1 June 15 June 30 . ." . . State Drought Coordinator George Lamb announces that he is returning to the Colorado Department of Agriculture to head up the State Department of Agriculture Resources Development Program. Although the announcement marks a reduction in his active involvement in the State Drought Coordination Program, the program itself will continue through June 1978 since the portion of the State east of the Divide continues to experience persistent drought and its effects. Governor Larrun proclaims May 7-13, 1978, as "Conserve Water! Week" in Colorado to emphasize the continuing need for Coloradans to increase water use efficiencies and to create awareness of persistent drought in much of the State. State Drought Coordinator George Lamb advises the Governor that drought conditions for much of the State are worsening: The eastern plains continue dry, expected runoff in the San Luis Valley and mid and lower Arkansas basin is now forecast at 50-80 percent of average, and the South P1 atte and port ions of the Upper Arkansas are now forecast to have below average runoff. The OSDC and the Colorado Division of Disaster Emergency Services co- sponsor a two-day disaster preparedness wrrkshop for regional drought management personnel and State agency personnel. The agenda includes a comprehensive rundown of Colorado's susceptibi1ity to natura 1 di saster occurrences, the iliip 1 ementat ion of proper mitigative procedures, and the availability of State and federal emergency assistance funds. Conserve Water! Week activities commence, including Statewide media broadcasting of water conservation messages taped by Governor Lamm. The Governor's Office hires an independent contractor to begin research for the documentation of the Colorado drought experience. A summer season begins during which seven large and numerous smaller forest fires' occur on the Colorado eastern slope before September 20. Colorado's largest forest fire in recorded history occurs in June. All of the fires are in part attributable to the prevailing dry conditions of the preceding year and provide evidence of some of droughts lasting effects. Official closeout date for all regional dr'ought coordination projects (per terms of the State/regional contracts). Significant regional closeout activities include the preparation of final reports by the regional drought coordinators. The reports include a summary of l'egional program goals and activities and region-specific evaluations and recommendations. 12