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<br />This paper recommends: <br /> <br />· further investigation continue as to the availability of WxMod projects in which <br />the Basin States can participate, particularly those focusing on the Upper Basin <br />States of Colorado and Utah; <br /> <br />. legislation continue to be monitored, and attempts to influence legislators be <br />considered; <br /> <br />. an implementation plan be developed with next steps, including a schedule, <br />costs, and deliverables for a feasibility study to increase winter precipitation that <br />would include both operational and evaluation components; <br /> <br />. the Basin States enlist either the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) <br />and/or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as the lead federal <br />agency in the development of a coordinated national research program, and that <br />this program should piggy-back research onto existing and proposed operational <br />programs like Reclamation's Weather Damage Modification Program; <br /> <br />. cost-share with Reclamation in an objective impartial evaluation of existing <br />operational programs, and; <br /> <br />. for an interim period while the feasibility study is being prepared, expand <br />ongoing operational programs by adding generators and by operating the <br />programs for an expanded period of time each year, including those shown in <br />Table I. <br /> <br />The additional precipitation can help the Basin States potentially increase water supply in <br />the Colorado River basin, and assist in reducing shortages, or reservoir storage recovery. <br />WxMod should be a standard tool, similar to implementing conservation measures or <br />storing and withdrawing water in groundwater basins for water resources managers to <br />meet demands and assure reliability. <br /> <br />-ii- <br />