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<br />of intentional weather modification, although the probabilities for seeding-induced <br />alterations are high in some instances." So even though those that have reviewed the <br />report may view weather modification with some skepticism, the report still contains <br />much optimism which is welcome in the operational WxMod community. <br /> <br />Perhaps the most up-to-date and balanced assessment of the state ofWxMod comes from <br />Garstang et al. (2005). This article presents the report of a workshop addressing the NRC <br />report from both operational and research perspectives. Major findings were: <br /> <br />. Substantial advances in understanding, observing technology, data acquisition and <br />processing, and numerical modeling have occurred in the last three decades; <br /> <br />. There is now considerable evidence, but not definitive scientific proof, that <br />treatment can cause changes in clouds and the physical processes leading to the <br />formation of rain, hail, and snow; <br /> <br />. The ability to focus on remaining uncertainties and to remove or reduce <br />obstructions to progress is now very real, and; <br /> <br />. Conducting contro1\ed WxMod experiments and capitalizing upon operational <br />programs wi1\ advance understanding in both deliberate and inadvertent WxMod. <br />The need for a coordinated national research program is supported in this context. <br /> <br />WxMod operations can be effective in drought preparedness and as a drought recovery <br />tool if there are sufficient storms with which to work. Developed programs should be <br />sustainable and operate year-in and year-out to achieve maximum efficiency. Seeding <br />can be effective on naturally efficient storms and can improve marginally efficient <br />storms. There must be some storms with which to work, however, and these are <br />infrequent during a drought. Therefore waiting until a drought to initiate WxMod is <br />likely too late. <br /> <br />III. USEFULNESS TO THE BASIN STATES <br /> <br />Drought Management <br /> <br />Weather modification/precipitation management is a potential cooperative interstate <br />activity for consideration in Colorado River drought/shortage management strategies <br />which could lessen the impact of drought, prevent water shortages, and enhance reservoir <br />system recovery. Depending on the measures that are pursued, it may be desirable to <br />develop a federal/state drought management and storage recovery initiative, especially if <br />there is a need for timely congressional action, federal appropriations and rules and <br />regulations. <br /> <br />-22- <br />