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<br />developed through extensive economic, social, and environmental <br />studies. <br /> <br />1. 2 Why Should We. Seed the Clouds,? <br /> <br />Major studies of crop benefits have been conducted in <br />several areas. In South Dakota 'the State University made <br />an extensive study that indicated summer cloud seeding could <br />yield crop benefits well beyond the costs. A Montana State <br />University study showed that an additional 10% of precipitation <br />over the growing season would be expected to increase farm <br />rev e n u e by ten mill ion doll a r s i (1973 doll a r s ) . A Ka n s as <br />State University study applied a m~del which indicated benefits <br />could range from 99 to 127 million dollars in the western <br />part of the state. <br /> <br />In winter mountain snowpack projects the direct benefi- <br />ciaries are those using the resultant additional streamflow <br />for hydroelectric power gener~tion and irrigation water. <br />They may be located hundreds or even a thousand miles away <br />from the target area. In the present era of energy shortages, <br />it has been estimated that less than one percent increase <br />in stored water would pay for such a project. Additional <br />snow may often reduce rather th~n enhance flood potential <br />due to its ability to hold water~ nevertheless, most projects <br />use suspension rules when severe storms are predicted if the <br />target area already has well above normal snowpack. <br /> <br />1.3 Are There Any Problems in Seeding Clouds? . <br /> <br />One interesting aspect of seeding is that very small <br />amounts of nucleant have a large physical effect on clouds. <br />This is because the best nucleant consists of very small particles <br /> <br />2 <br />