1981 CO Drought Plan

• Title: The Colorado Drought Response Plan
• Date: 5/15/1981
• Description: Colorado Drought Response Plan
• Basin: Statewide
• Drought Mitigation - Doc Type: Complete Plan

ANNEX C
AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY TASK FORCE #4
I. SITUATION
Colorado periodically experiences drought conditions of varying degrees
of severity. The length and degree of intensity of a drought period pro-
duces an impact on the state's agricultural industry that can be devastating
to many farmers and ranchers, particularly the younger ones with heavy
financial responsibilities. As drought conditions escalate so that impacts
on agriculture can be identified, there is need to develop timely assess-
ments so that an effective response can be generated.
II, PURPOSE
The purpose of this annex is to describe the system for agricultural drought-
damage assessment as part of the overall State Drought Assessment System.
This will include defining the procedures and responsibilities of federal ,
state, and local governments in collecting and evaluating data, making
assessments and projections, identifying sources of assistance, reporting
and making recommendations to concerned publics, Review and Reporting Task
Force, and other concerned elements of government, as needed.
III. CONCEPT/APPROACH
Drought is a cyclical weather phenomenon,, which can have a definite and
profound effect upon the agricultural industry of Colorado. It differs
from other types of natural disasters in that it is progressive in nature,
and its presence may not be recognized until it has reached a severe level .
Because of this peculiarity, a method is needed for assessing a drought
cycle's progress and for determining at which point a drought response should
be activated.
The Agricultural industry Task Force will represent a coordinated approach
to assessing the impacts of drought upon agriculture. It will be composed
of representatives of the Colorado Department of Agriculture, the U. S.
Department of Agriculture, the Colorado Division of Water Resources, State and
Federal Extension Service, and Agricultural Industry Advisory Groups. The
U. S. Department of Agriculture representatives, as described later, comprise
the State Emergency Board, which has specific responses to all emergencies
involving agriculture.
This Task Force will be an assessment group which will activate a data-
collection-and-assessment system which will identify the potential impacts
of a drought, and track their occurrence and intensity. It will NOT become
involved in the response of various agencies to a declared drought emergency.
Rather, the findings and recommendations of this Task Force will be assimi-
lated into the overall state drought assessment and help assure effective
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