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. . . Creating a Drought Early Warning System for the 21st Century The National Integrated Drought Information System Executive Summary ~Drollghl is the most ohstinate and pernicious of the dramatic events that NaWrc ((mjt/res up. It can last fonger and cxtend across larger areas than hurricanes, tornadoes, Jloods ami earthquakes...causing hundreds of millions oj dollars in/osses, and dashing hopes and dreams." - National Drought Policy Commission Report, May 2000 In 1996, the Western Governors set an aggressive goalla change the way our nation prepares for and responds to droughts. Subsequent efforts by the Western Governors' Association (WGA) led 10 the Congressional creation of the National Drought Policy Commission (NOPC), which issued its recommendations in ~1ay 2000 to establish such a national policy. Among its recommendations, the Commission called for "Improving collaboration among scientists and managers to enhance the effectiveness of observation networks, monitoring, prediction, information delivery, and applied research and to foster public understanding of and preparedness for drought." The Western Governors agree that improved monitoring and forecasting is fundamental to a proactive national drought policy. Better science wi1llead to better and more timely decisions, thus reducing or mitigating a drought's impacts. In February 2003, WGA's lead Governor for Drought, Mike Johanns of Nebraska, met with National OCeanic and Atmospheric Adrninistralion (NOAA) Administrator, Vice Admiral Conrad Lautenbacher, to discuss a partnership between NOAA and WGA to develop a vision and recommendations for establishing an improved drought monitoring and forecasting system. The partnership began in April 2003, and this rcport, (rearing A Drought Early Warning ~tem for /he 21st Cm/ury: The National Integrated Drought InJbmwtion System, is the first product of that partnership. We highlight two key components of NIDIS described in this report that will be critical to its successful implementation: I. improve and expand the compilation of reliable data on the various indicators of droughts, from both the physical/hydrological data (such as a national surface observing network) to the socia-economic and environmental impacts data (such as agriculture losses and wildfire impacts): and 2. integrate and interpret that data with easily accessible and understandable tools, which provide timely and useful information to decision-makers and the general public. For NIDl5 to be realized, strong leadership is needed. Western Governors believe NOAA should be designated as the federal lead for NIDIS. NOAA should take the iniliative lo convene and coordinate all of the rdevant enti- ties, including federal and non-federal partners, as well as scientists, water users and policy-makers to implement those aspects of NIDIS lhat can be accomplished under existing authorities and funding. While NIDIS will go far in facilitating a proactive approach to drought. the Governors recognize that it is only one component. A comprehensive national drought policy must be established, including improving drought monitoring and forecasting (NIDIS), coordinating and integrating governmental programs, establishing reliable funding lor drought preparedness and response activities, and facilitating state-based drought preparedness and mitigation programs, which lead to effective investments in on-the~ground solutions. #~ ~....4." 4kF- ,9-"j-?,.;'"3"' Bill Richardson Governor of New Mexico WGA Co~Lead for Drought Mike Johanns Governor of Nebraska WGA Co- Lead for Drought Judy Martz Governor of Montana WGA Co- Lead for Drought