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\ I I I I I I I I ) I I I I I I I \ The two target area approach to the current WKWMP design works very well and has become operationally routine. The two target areas divide responsibility as follows: the original 13-county area is under Lakin radar control; whereas, the newer target area comprising NWKGMD #4 and its three bordering 'demonstration' areas in Colorado were given to the Colby radar site to manage. Wallace County is a unique 'transition' county. Normally, whichever radar site had operational responsibility for downwind areas affected by storms passing through Wallace generally assumed control. Most days it fell under Colby control On a given day each radar site has the option of being able to use as many program aircraft on any storm in his target area as needed. On occasions, precautionary flights were made to each other's area to standby, but no seeding flights were launched. When there are storms in both areas the two meteorologists quickly reconcile the areas requiring primary seeding attention. Often, the other area's problems are anticipated and aircraft begin being sent where needed before a request is made for additional aircraft. D. ADMINISTRATIVE AND PUBLIC RELATIONS There is an on-going stream of paperwork needed to be attended to during the season. At first pilots filled out a flight form after each seeding flight and sent them in once a week to his meteorologist of responsibility. However, mid-way.through the season we decided to attempt 'streamlining' the flight form portion as described earlier. Ideally, the data were entered into a summary form then e-mailed to the radar sites as soon after. the flights as possible. Digitized spreadsheets were also transmitted to the Kansas Water Office and to the Colorado Water Conservation Board, to satisfY their requirements. A yearly hard-copy summary of our seeding activities is submitted to the National Oceanic and Oceanographic Administration. From time to time there are numerous other responses needed, researching data, answering public inquiries, etc. Slowly, hard copy forms are being replaced by computer files being sent bye-mail. , Public relations are considered a valuable contribution to this program, long-term. Without a continuing effort to maintain public attention, we run the risk of our program becoming marginalized. Occasionally, newly elected officials serving as commissioners may not be as well- acquainted with our program or its results as some of their predecessors and it's necessary to do so since they decide each year whether or not their county will continue participating in the WKWMP. After 24 seasons in Western Kansas, we in the WKWMP should not succumb to complacency about the long-term viability of this program. Typically, most of the public relations efforts are directed toward individuals and groups visiting the radar sites and the remote aircraft locations. School classes account for many of the group visitations. During the season, the Lakin meteorologist does a brief radio segment for a Noon Farm Show on KBUF Radio (1030 MHZ) with its moderator, Hap Larson. The format is to talk about general weather topics of interest as well as the short-term severe storm outlook and an occasional weather modification boost. Service organizations and co-operative groups are others which are spoken to at regularly scheduled meetings or annual meetings. A considerable amount ofWKWMP data is put onto the Internet such as weekly newsletters, statistical information, radar data during storm periods and links to other weather information. As the program has grown over the years, the public relations aspect has grown proportionally. 19