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0025a3 SECTION IV. SIERRA COOPERATIVE PILOT PROJECT Project Summary Preliminary planning for the SCPP (Sierra Cooperative Pilot Project), began in 1972. From the beginning, the overall approach of the SCPP has been to carefully consider the scientific, environmental, and social implications of each step of the experiment before moving ah ead . The SCPP has completed 2 full years of investigation into the physical basis for precipitation increases in the American River Basin and Nevada's Tahoe-Truckee River Basins. Two major benefits to be derived from successful completion of this project are: (1) a refined technology of winter orographic cloud seeding for increased precipitation, and (2) an increase in water supply potential for the American River Basin and Tahoe-Truckee River Bas i ns . Plans for the 1976-77 winter SCPP study season were developed during the preliminary planning phase including recommendations by MBA (MBAssociates). Project Skywater scientists and consultants assessed: (1) The state-of-the-art and needs in orographic and convective precipitat ion management research. (2) . Tools and techniques for measuring atmospheric and on-the- ground seeding results and needed refinements. (3) Data required to develop project hypotheses and operational criteri a. (4) Evaluation of environmental and community effects. The opportunities for field research were severely curtailed by drought conditions during the 1976-77 winter season. Precipitation was approximately 25 percent of normal in the central and northern Sierra Nevada. Consequently, the data obtained during this period were considered neither representative nor sufficient in quantity to progress into a final design phase. At the conclusion of the 1976-77 season, the project had reached a point that demanded an overall integration of design, opera- tional, and evaluation. A multiyear contract was awarded to NAWC (North American Weather Consultants) to complete the physical and IV-1