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I I I I Evaluations ofprecipilalion dala, slr~amnow data. crop insurance data and crop yield dala are useful if done properly. These evalualions require long term climatological c1ationships to be established between seeded and unseeded areas, and a long period of opera lions for comparison purposes. but do not require that only half of the suitahle clouds be treated. I I I Recently developed melhods include snow lrace-chemistry analysis, ohjective radar- based analysis. evalualion of sate IIi Ie data and even numerical modeling to help discern Ihe effects of cloud seeding. 13. Wllat are tilt' typical benefit.Ii tlf cloud seedi,,/.:'! Numerous evaluations have indicated that cloud seeding. when properly applied. can produce precipitation increases up to 10% or greater (AMS, 1998). Studies of hail suppression sceding indicate hail damage reductions up to 45% (Smith et aI., 1997). Agricultural wheat production in seed~d areas has increased by 5.9% in North Dakot<l (Smith cl al.. 1992). I I I I I I I I I I I I 1./. .. 'IIat are lilt' ('('(u",mie- bt'"ejil.\' tif doud .'i't't'di"X'! Evaluations indicate runolT from additional snowpack in the range from 51 to S I 5 per acre foot (Kansas Water Otlice. 2001). Benefit to cost ratios on summer season agricultural economic production approach 40 to I (Sell and Leistritz. 1998). 15. "'1w t'I.'it! i.'i doi,,/.: weatller "",dificatitm'! The latest data from the World Meteorological Organization compiled in 2000 listed 74 projects ongoing in 23 countries worldwide (WMO, 2000). In 2001lhe Nalional Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminislmtion (NOAA) documented 66 projects conducted in Ihe westem U.S. Project objectives included fog dispersal. snowpack and rainfall enhancement. and hail suppression. 16. WI", perfarm.Ii doud st't'di"K operalim,.\''! On most U.S. programs, a company specializing in cloud seeding is hired 10 conduct seeding operations. Other programs are conducted by universilies. private companies, or even local \\'ealher modific:.nion or wafcr management entities. 17. W/lal ki"d oftrai"i,,/.: i.Ii rt'quired for II't'al/ler modificalim, per.wJ/I"t'/'! Prior experience in weather modification opcrations is a tremendous advantage to cloud seeding programs. Private conlractors typically employ experienced personnel. Pilots-ill-command must meet certification and !light time requirements, while metcorologists must Iypically possess a Bachclor's degree in Meteorology or Atlllospheric Science. Many programs conduct pre~projecttraining classes prior to proj~ct startup covering all pertinent aspects of the program. A unique intern training program is sponsored by the North Dakota Atmospheric Resource Board. An intern pilot progmm. in cooperation with the University of North Dak(lt~I'S avialion program, Irains pilots in summer convective cloud seeding each