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<br />area is under Lakin radar control; whereas, the newer target area comprising NWKGMD #4 and <br />its two bordering 'demonstration' areas in Colorado were given to the Colby radar site to manage. <br />Wallace County is a unique 'transition' county. Normally, whichever radar site had operational <br />responsibility for downwind areas affected by stonns passing through Wallace generally assumes <br />control. Most days it fell under Colby control. On a given day each radar site has the option of <br />being able to use as many program aircraft on any stonn in his target area as needed. On <br />occasions, precautionary flights are made to each other's area or to standby to await advancing <br />stonns. Occasionally, this resulted in no seeding flights being launched. When there are stonns in <br />both areas, however, the two meteorologists quickly reconcile the areas requiring primary <br />seeding attention. Often, the other area's problems are anticipated and aircraft begin being <br />mobilized before a request is made for additional aircraft. <br /> <br />D. ADMINISTRATIVE AND PUBLIC RELATIONS <br /> <br />There is an on-going stream of paperwork which needs to be dealt with during the season. <br />Pilots entered flight summary data into a fonn which was e-mailed to the radar sites having <br />responsibility for the area being seeded. Some written forms were sent bysoine of the pilots. <br />Monthly summaries were also sent to WKGMD#I, the Kansas Water Office, and to the Colorado <br />Water Conservation Board, to satisfy their requirements. A monthly seeding summary is sent in at <br />the end of the season to the National Oceanic and Oceanographic Administration (Appendix D, <br />page 69). From time to time there are numerous other responses needed, answering public <br />inquiries, researching data, etc. Slowly, hard copy fonns are being replaced by computer files <br />being sent bye-mail: <br /> <br />Public relations provide a valuable contribution to this program, long-tenn. Without the <br />continuing effort to maintain favorable public attention, we run the risk of marginalizing our <br />program. Occasionally, newly elected officials serving as commissioners may not be as well- <br />acquainted with our program or its results as some oftheir predecessors. In order to ensure that <br />the current participating counties feel justified in continuing to support the program, some <br />periodic educational effort is necessary. Typically, most of the public relations efforts are directed <br />toward individuals and groups visiting the radar sites and at our remote aircraft locations. School <br />classes account for many ofthe group visitations. During the season, the Lakin meteorologist <br />does a brief radio segment for the Noon Fann Show on KBUF Radio (1030 MHz). Its host, Hap <br />Larson talks about general weather topics of interest as well as the short-term daily severe stonn <br />outlook. On occasion weather modification gets a periodic boost if appropriate. Co-operatives <br />and service organizations are other groups which are spoken to at regularly scheduled meetings or <br />annual meetings. <br /> <br />A considerable amount ofWKWMP data is put onto the Internet such as weekly <br />newsletters, statistical information, radar data during storm periods and links to other weather <br />infonnation. As the program has grown over the years, the public relations aspect has grown <br />proportionally. <br /> <br />21 <br />