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<br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />To guide us in accomplishing these tasks, we prepared a vision statement and underlying set of <br />principles that incorporate the tenets of the law and that speak directly to the needs and gaps <br />identified through our deliberations. <br /> <br />This report presents that vision and its principles as well as the goals, objectives, and <br />recommendations necessary to devise effective national drought policy at all levels of society and <br />for rural and urban areas and the natural envirorunent. <br /> <br />In written comments and at public hearings in Washington, D.C., El Paso, Texas, and Los Angeles, <br />California, we heard that drought is real, that it hurts real people, and that it has significant social, <br />economic, and environmental effects. Livestock producers told us their animals are not covered for <br />drought by federal insurance programs and that feed is either unavailable or too expensive during <br />drought. Some tribes reported thei lack the tools and expertise for basic planning, let alone for <br />incorporating drought into planning, while other tribes noted the lack of weather stations on or near <br />tribal lands that would allow site-specific data needed for drought monitoring and prediction, We <br />learned that stakeholders-including individuals; businesses; local, county, and state governments; <br />tribes; and nongovernmental organizations with an interest in or responsibilities for drought <br />management-and the general public would benefit from more training and technical assistance in <br />planning and in reducing the impacts of drought. We heard often about the need for greater <br />coordination of federal programs so that access to program benefits and response measures is easier <br />and assistance is timely. There were also calls for beller marshaling and interpretation of drought- <br />related data and for dissemination of those data to stakeholders, the media, and the public at large <br />so that citizens can gain the knowledge they need to help lessen the impacts of drought. <br /> <br />Additional public hearings are planned for [FILL IN THE LOCATIONS] through the end of <br />[MONTH]. The Commission will complete its analysis of public comments at that time and include <br />the findings in the final report. <br /> <br />We emphasize that across this country, there are individual, local, statewide, regional, tribal, and <br />federal drought initiatives that work. National drought policy must focus on erasing the gaps among <br />people affected by drought and delivery ofthe services that these initiatives provide. This can best <br />be accomplished by ensuring that drought initiatives are closely integrated, that they are as <br />effective as possible, and that they emphasize proactive planning and impact-reduction measures so <br />as to lessen the need for emergency financial and other assistance. <br /> <br />SIDEBAR-Meetings of the Commission were announced in advance, following established federal <br />procedures, and were open to the public. Minutes from the meetings, copies of testimony and <br />public comments, results of Working Group activities, and findings from the Commission's review <br />of federal, state, local, and tribal drought-related programs and pertinent laws are on file with the <br />Commission and available to the public. -END SIDEBAR <br /> <br />2 <br />