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<br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />It takes a Presidential declaration of disaster before Stafford Act authority can be activated. Not all <br />drought events will be declared disasters at the Presidential level although they may well have <br />adverse impacts. We heard from experts and drought-impacted citizens alike about the difficulties <br />associated in determining when drought occurrences evolve into emergencies. Differences in <br />climate and in hydrological and soil conditions mean that zero precipitation for six months in one <br />area may not give rise to a drought event, while in another region just three months oflow <br />precipitation may require emergency drought response. We heard many times that deciding exactly <br />when a drought becomes a disaster depends on the convergence of drought's impacts on our social <br />and economic fabric and on the environment. <br /> <br />Many comments we received recognized the importance of moving away from the traditional <br />approach to drought that is driven by emergency response to a new, proactive drought policy <br />emphasizing risk management, planning, and impact-reduction measures. At the same time, the <br />Commission recognizes that it will take time to provide the training and technical assistance needed <br />to help farmers, ranchers, local businesses, communities, states, and tribes make this transition. <br /> <br />/0 <br />