WMOD00078

• Applicant: Villano Bros. Farms, Inc.
• Project Name: Hail Cannon
• Date: 3/4/1998
• Weather Modification - Doc Type: Application

best judgment as to cloud size, speed, and likelihood of producing hail. The time interval of
each operation is largely determined by wind velocity and magnitude of each hail storm. In
deciding whether to commence operations, it is expected that the operator/applicant will likely
have fifteen (15) to sixty (60) minutes to observe suspect clouds, monitor their formation,
movement and speed toward the target area. As stated above, operation of the hail cannon
will terminate upon departure of the hail producing cloud from the target area. The applicant
expects that the hail cannon is likely to be operated on approximately thirty (30) different
occasions during each growing season, with each operation having a duration of
approximately sixty (60) minutes, depending upon the size and intensity of each hail storm.

4.

How the proposed project is designed to provide and offer promise ofprovidin~ economic
benefit to. the target area-( applicable to commercial prqjests {}nly):

-Utilizing the method-setSorth.in this-application,-the-applicant-seeks to-controLlr.educe hail-
precipitation so as to alleviate the loss to growin~ crops thereby furnishing an economic
benefit both to the a'pplicant (whose crops are protected) and the people of the State of
Colorado, preserving the jobs of those who deal in the harvesting and marketing of these
crops. The State of Colorado is further benefited by protecting its reputation as a producer
offine lettuce, spinach and other leaf crops so that the buyers throughout the United States
may rely upon the Colorado producers for their supplies of these products. The ability of
Colorado producers to furnish these products free of hail damage will serve to substantially
increase Colorado's position as a viable economic producer of these crops.

5.

Indicate how the pro.posed project is reasonably eJlPected to benefit both persons livin~ in the
tar~et area and the people of Colorado.

Please see applicant's response to interrogatory number 4 immediately above.

6. Indicate how the proposed proiect is scientifically and technically feasible.

The technology described and the methods set forth in this application have been in use in
other locations for a considerable period of time and have been shown to control the hazard
of hail inside a circle of a radius of 500 meters surrounding the hail cannon. Identical hail
cannons have been installed and operated in Center, Colorado by Southern Colorado Farms,
Inc. [Please see State of Colorado Weather Modification Permit No. 96-5, issued July 18,
1996].

7. Not applicable.

8. Risk that the proposed project could cause substantial harm to land. water people health
safety property and the environment.

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