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The Role of Remote Sensing The use of an individual type or sources of data involves inherent tradeoffs and shortcomings. so data must be integrated to enhance mean. ing and value, Complementary data from remole sensing, satellites, radar, aircrall and other technologies must be explored, encouraged and incorpo- rated to fill important data gaps. . Working with the Private Sector While governmental agencies have shown great innovation in col- lection of drought data and development of new tools, an important role exists for the private sector. Opportunities may exist in which government can set priorities and provide direction, and then allow for a competitive and innovative private sector to meet the needs. During the course of public-private interaction, the NIDIS Leadership Team will need to be sensitive to such issues as proprietary information, quality control of data, consistent methodologies, and standardization of the data. Building a Baseline of Social, Environmental and Economic Observations No systematic collection and analysis of social, environmental and economic data focused on the impacts of drought within the United States exists today. Examples of data that could be collected include drought-related relief payments; mental health visits in drought-stricken areas; losses of revenue due to low water, ranging from river railing guide revenues to barge tonnage; reduced hydropower production; increased ground water pumping costs for agriculture and municipal purposes; revenues from !ish camp and canoe outposts; golf course revenue; agri4 cultural yield losses not eligible for relief payments {e,g., nurseries); skier days and snow-related tourism revenue; and ecological impacts data such as water quality, and impacts from wildland fires; etc. Because such data either are not centralized or not collected, ollicials often underestimate economic and social costs related to drought. NIDIS should Jill that gap by developing methodologies to collect and assess the social. environmental and economic impacts of drought across the United States. These methodologies also should develop asscss- - ments from sectors not always at the forefront, such as the livestock, timber, wildlife, energy, recreation and tourism sectors. Understanding these impacts of drought will empower users and expand the comprehension of the full magnitude of drought losses. By so doing, it will encourage local, state and federal ollicials to increase etTorts in drought planning, preparation. and mitiga- tion. Comprehensive baseline data on drought impacts also will help to verify the relative cost effec- tiveness of "risk" versus "crisis-management" approaches to drought management. .