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<br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br /> <br />The ultimate question ~S, How much additional precipitation <br />and increased snowpack can bE~ produced by an operational winter <br />orographic cloud seeding proqram? This translates to, What are <br />the economic benefits or disbenefits experienced by the local <br />populace and Coloradoans in qeneral as a result of the additional <br />precipitation? These questions can be addressed only if meteoro- <br />logical observations, especially precipitation accumulations, are <br />made and evaluated. The natural variability in winter precipita- <br />tion makes this evaluation difficult. (For example, winter <br />precipitation amounts across Southwestern Colorado ranged from <br />35 to 50 percent of average during the drought winter of 1976-77. <br />During the 1978-79 winter, precipitation amounts ranged from 190 <br />to 230 percent of average across this same region.) Therefore, a <br />coordinated, long-term commii:ment will be required to resolve the <br />uncertainties. <br />At some time in the future, questions will arise regarding <br />ownership of the additional ~iater created through weather modifi- <br />cation. This program is designed to better define the increases <br />in water supply attainable through weather modification and will <br />be helpful in arriving at answers to those future questions <br />regarding ownership. <br />In summary, we have stat:ed in this sectiop that it has been <br />demonstrated that cloud seeding works under certain conditions and <br />that the generalized atmospheric conditions necessary for in- <br />creasing precipitation by cloud seeding are known. We have also <br />stated that some uncertainties still exist in the areas of recog- <br />nition of opportunity, treatnlent of opportunity, downwind effects, <br />environmental impacts, and economic benefits. This does not mean <br />that the seeding of winter orographic clouds using present knowledge <br />and techniques is not effective or beneficial. It does mean, <br />however, that cloud seeding t:echnology needs further development <br />and refinement in order to derive the optimum benefit from routine <br />applications. <br />Colorado has a substanti.al stake in weather modification with <br />regard to its potential for augmenting the limited water supplies. <br />Balanced, long-term programs, in contrast to piecemeal efforts, <br /> <br />-15- <br />