Laserfiche WebLink
<br />003405 <br /> <br />Impacts on several sectors of the state I s economy--particularly on <br />the ski industry--were severe. Lift ticket sales declined by an average <br /> <br />of 40 percent, and some ski areas remained closed for most of the season. <br /> <br />Revenue loss to ski resort communities was estimated at almost $80 million <br /> <br />(Gray, 1979:16). Farmers and ranchers also suffered economic loss and <br /> <br />depletion of rangeland forage. Wind erosion and fire hazards increased, <br /> <br />hydropower generation decreased, and tourism and recreation were reduced. <br /> <br />Governor Richard Iamm reqUested. that 16 Colorado counties be <br />declared agricultural disaster areas. A task force charged with <br />identifying the probable impacts of drought and the state's ability to <br />respond to them was created. In January 1977 a group of scientists and <br />water experts assembled by the Governor's Science and Technology Advisory <br />Council gathered to discuss the use of cloud seeding to augment mountain <br />snowpack. <br /> <br />Not everyone at this meeting favored the use of seeding. But it was <br />agreed that if seeding were to be used at all it shoulH be used quickly to <br />take advantage of any remaining winter moisture opportunities. Shortly <br />thereafter; a meeting between the governor and legislative leaders led to <br />passage of House Bill 1160, which appropriated $187,000 fer emergency <br />seeding. '!his appropriation was supplemented by local and federal funds <br />totalling $62,000. <br /> <br />In the spring of 1977 seeding was conducted in the San Juan <br />!>buntains, Climax, and north Front Range areas. DJring the following <br />winter all mountain areas in Colorado above 9,500 feet were targeted for <br />seeding through a program funded by a $350,000 state appropriation (House <br />Bill 1722) supplemented by more than $600,000 in federal and private funds. <br /> <br />Drought returned to Colorado during the winter of 1980-81- <br />precipitation during the fall was at record low levels in the central <br />mountains and even lower than in 1976-77 on the eastern plains. In <br /> <br />6 <br />