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<br />use them as a basis for testing models, and develop new statistical methods for evaluating <br />the efficacy of those operations. However, the WMA believes that there is convincing <br />scientific evidence of positive effects2, and the NRC authors "had very limited experience <br />or knowledge in weather modification operations.,,3 Other areas of concern were that the <br />NRC committee had no members from the WxMod operations community, lacked depth <br />in research, lacked expertise in hail suppression, orographic seeding, and the modeling of <br />seeding effects. <br /> <br />The primary topic with which the WMA takes issue relates to the difficulty in quantifying <br />the absolute values of seeding effects. They disagree with the NRC's conclusion <br />regarding lack of scientific proof that cloud seeding produces desired results. They argue <br />that the NRC's standard of proof is so high that research associated with few atmospheric <br />science endeavors could satisfy it, and that there is a logical inconsistency. The WMA <br />points out that arguments for both global climate change and inadvertent weather <br />modification both fail that level of proof, yet the NRC acknowledges that both of those <br />processes are realities. On the other hand, the efficacy of cloud seeding is questioned. <br />The WMA also believes, unlike the NRC panel, that it is not premature to initiate large- <br />scale operational projects. <br /> <br />American Societv of Civil Em/ineers (ASCE). In May 2003, the ASCE adopted Policy <br />Statement No. 275, which supports and encourages the protection and prudent <br />development of atmospheric water (also known as weather modification or cloud <br />seeding) for beneficial uses. Sustained support for atmospheric water data collection, <br />research and operational programs, and the careful evaluatious of such efforts including <br />the assessment of extra-area and long-term environmental effects, is essential for prudent <br />development. ASCE recommends that the results and findings of all atmospheric water- <br />management programs and projects be freely disseminated to the professional <br />community, appropriate water managers and the public. The ASCE has published a <br />Cloud Seeding Manual (ASCE, 1995). <br /> <br />American Meteorolosrical Societv (AMS). In January 1992, the American <br />Meteorological Society adopted a policy statement with regard to Planned and <br />Inadvertent Weather Modification. The AMS indicated that there is considerable <br />evidence that, under certain conditions, precipitation from supercooled orographic clouds <br />can be increased with existing techniques. Statistical analyses of precipitation records <br />from some long-term projects indicate that seasonal increases on the order of 10% can be <br />realized, however the cause and effect relationships have not been fully documented <br />(AMS, 1992). <br /> <br />World Meteorological Organization (WMO). In their latest WxMod status statement <br />(2004), the WMO states that "Improved observational facilities, computer capabilities, <br />numerical models and understanding now permit more detailed examination of clouds <br />and precipitation processes than ever before, and significant advances are consequently <br />possible." Also, .....it is considered that the g1aciogenic seeding of clouds formed by air <br /> <br />2 WMA, 2004, p. 8 <br />, WMA, 20M, p. 3 <br /> <br />-9- <br />