WMOD00565

• Title: Snow Augmentation Research Needs - A History of Weather Modification in Colorado
• Date: 6/1/1982
• State: CO
• Weather Modification - Doc Type: Report

IV.

WEATHER MODIFICATION RESEARCH BILLS PROPOSED, BUT NOT ENACTED

One result of the drought related cloud seedi.ng projects conducted from 1977 to
1979 was increased citizen awareness of winter weather modification technology
and the potential advantages and disadvantage:s. The concerns and questions
listed earlier in this report became issues, and prompted the efforts to obtain
legislative support described in this chapter. Two bills, House Bill 1221 (1980)
and House Bill 1357 (1981), responded to recognition that the piecemeal
operations and studies being conducted in the state were not providing adequate

answer s.

House Bill No. 1221 - 1980

In January 1980 a privately funded program report, "A Proposed Wintert ime Weather
Modification Research Program for Colorado" was completed by Western Weather
Consultants, Inc. The objective was to develop a demonstration research program
planned to augment snowfall under controlled conditions. The purpose of the
plan, in addition to increasing snowpack, included addressing issues surrounding
weather modification in the state.

The report was distributed to members of the state legislature but not
incorporated into a bill. About the same time, a bill for weather modification
research supported by the Executive Director of the Department of Natural
Resources was introduced by Representative Wad Hinman(R), Yampa. House Bill 1221
called for a state funded research program as well as "housekeeping" changes ~n
the Weather Modification Act of 1972. Includ,ed was an annual appropriation of
$200,000 for research over a period of seven years. The bill also proposed that
no operational weather modification projects be conducted in the state for the
duration of the research unless they were authorized by the legislature and
funded by the state.

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