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of Wyoming. Several additional projects in the Great Plains region also have en- vironmental studies underway, but the Colorado River Basin Pilot Project is the largest effort. The Pyramid Lake Pilot Project in the Sierra Mountains of Nevada and Califor- nia also is a winter program, designed to determine the feasibility of applying weather modification techniques to main- tain the level of Pyramid Lake. Although most of the field research has been in the semi-arid western states, Sky- water also has looked at water needs in eastern states. A large "no-seeding" study was initiated through the Illinois State Water Survey to determine the feasi- bility and desirability of a precipitation management program in Illinois. Since the largest percentage of the annual precipitation in Illinois is derived from clouds associated with the rapid movement of weather fronts and squall lines, the re- search is delving into weather systems which differ from those prevailing in the West. In addition to the pilot projects, the Bureau has conducted 10 other major field experi- ments - each designed to test techniques in varying climatic regions. I NEEDED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT I THE TECHNOLOGY IS becoming suf- ficiently developed for limited application in many water-short areas of the Nation. We do not know everything about clouds and precipitation, nor do we clearly under- stand all the social, legal, and environ- mental implications of cloud seeding. -However, the importance of the water that cloud seeding can provide urges early but careful application of the available cap- 9 III I I :~ Testing liquified sample obtained from soil to de- termine the amount of silver. abilities. From these applications, more can be learned. There are many uncertainties remaining in the technology of seeding summer clouds, particularly cumulus clouds, throughout the High Plains States. Early in 1973, the Bureau initiated a priority research effort to establish a veri- fied, working technology and operational management framework capable of pro- ducing additional rain from cumulus clouds - The High Plains Cooperative Pro- gram. To make certain the research thrust came as close as possible to representing the needs of the science, a broad-based cross section of 80 of the Nation's leading authorities in weather modification re- search gathered in Denver for a 2-day conference late in June. They voiced their ideas and discussed various research ap- proaches for inclusion in the project design. ~' .1 ~.' I I , I I Delegations from each of the 10 states in the High Plains area also attended the