WMOD00398

• Project Name: Project Skywater
• Title: Precipitation Management and the Environment - An Overview of the Skywater IX Conference
• Date: 9/1/1977
• Weather Modification - Doc Type: Report

D. Those three basic parameters then become the inputs to abiotic models
from which base conditions and changes thereto can be predicted using
state-of-the-art technology.
E. It is assumed that the current state-of-the-art will allow relative
quantification adequate to meet current institutional requirements.
This, however, may fall short of abiotic analyses requirements for
some biological purposes. Total quantification is beyond the current
state-of-the-art and will no doubt be so for some time in the future.
F. Environmental impacts attributed to weather modification can best be
evaluated by considering departures from a defined baseline or pretreat-
ment condition. Such evaluation, however, further assumes aqequacy
of inputs from expected hydrometeoric events in terms of frequency,
amount, and intensity. This assumption is applicable to both short-
term and long-term conditions.

Methodology

The methodology used was to first identify those issues that are pertinent

to the abiotic system, subject to the assumptions stated above. Factors

associated with these issues were then revie~red and summarized. Throughout

the workshop, only process oriented approaches were followed since this

allows one to perform a comparative analysis between "pretreatment conditions"

and those created as a result of intentional precipitation enhancement.

In a process oriented approach, it is fi.rst necessary to define conditions

prior to precipitation augmentation. Without. pretreatment conditions first being

defined only subjective analysis of impacts are possible.

Pretreatment or baseline conditions are not easily or readily established,

since both biotic and abiotic systems are dynamic rather than static. The

establishment of baseline conditions should be done in conjunction with the

weather modification program design. This would apply to the initial research

projects, through pilot and demonstration programs, and ultimately to operational

programs.

If program administrators find that basE~line pretreatment conditions have

not been determined for potential seeding areas, then this should take a top

priority for further research. Any weather modification program, research or

operational, without baseline quantification would be significantly weakened.

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