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it was apparent that as impact problems and local needs become more ' <br /> serious, the need for better management and integration of effort also <br /> intensifies. <br /> Systemic Needs. In developing a drought response plan, it was <br /> necessary to design a system that would avoid past problem ;areas, re- <br /> flect needs that were pertinent to contemporary and future conditions, <br /> and would provide effective management of drought response over the long <br /> run. This system should not only incorporate past lessons learned and <br /> have the capability to take definitive action, but it should also be <br /> flexible enough to quickly make adjustments to new or unexpected impacts. <br /> This system should be able to cope with either worsening conditions facing <br /> an unware public or intense pressures emerging from a public sense of <br /> urgency or frustration. Finally, the system must have a capability to <br /> mobilize actions and resources energetically or to merely monitor changing <br /> conditions. The system as set down in a drought response plan should be <br /> capable of changing its character as water shortage conditions improve or <br /> worsen. <br /> Gubernatorial Requirements. In February 1981 , Governor Lamm took. <br /> action to initiate the process of dealing with a potential drought situation <br /> which was again developing. He also initiated a planning process in State <br /> government to develop means to deal over the long run with water shortage <br /> conditions. His memorandum of February 5 stated in part: <br /> "If a drought emergency develops, the State (and federal) response <br /> will be coordinated by the Division of Disaster Emergency Services, <br /> just as other emergency situations are managed. I am making <br /> George Lamb available to DODFS as a consultant, project leader, <br /> and my personal representative to accomplish within 90 days the <br /> following tasks: <br /> 1 ) Develop and activate a data collection and assessment <br /> system which will identify the potential impacts of a <br /> drought and track their occurence and intensity. At <br /> some point, this assessment process may result in a <br /> recommendation that a drought emergency be proclaimed. <br /> 2) Develop and have in place by the end of the period a <br /> drought emergency response plan which would be activiated <br /> by a drought emergency decision. This task includes cata- <br /> loguing existing State and Federal response and relief <br /> programs and authorities, and development of recommendations <br /> to meet additional needs which are identified." <br /> DEVELOPMENT OF A STATE DROUGHT RESPONSE PLAN <br /> In order to develop a drought plan responsive to Gubernatorial require- <br /> ments, the current configuration and capabilities of State government and <br /> the systemic characteristics needed in past drought experiences, <br /> two separate elements have been established. These two elements -• an <br /> assessment system and a response system - are managed by State government ( <br /> but they also involve other public and private elements. Both systems <br /> have been derived from and remain subordinate to State government although <br /> they depend on a variety of data from many sources for assessment, and <br /> they manage responses of a variety of agencies and organizations. The <br />