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<br />000177 <br /> <br />A major aim of the program is to refine by all practicable means the <br />analysis of each weather disturbance as it approaches, moves across, and <br />passes beyond the primary target areas. One way this can be accomplished <br />is to use atmospheric models to predict natural storm behavior. These <br />analyses will yield expectations of natural snowfall in each part of the <br />far-effects study area in comparison with measured snowfalls. <br /> <br />The same mode of analysis will be applied to the question of possible <br />effects of redevelopment of storms in the lee of the Rockies. It is <br />beyond the scope of the CREST observational program to provide the basic <br />data for these analyses, since they cover the area of several States. <br />Data for these studies will be obtained from the National Weather Service <br />and subjected to detailed analysis with respect to the disturbances <br />treated as CREST test events. <br /> <br />D. ~nvironmental. Legal. and Public Involvement Considerations <br /> <br />1. Environmental factors. - An environmental assessment has been <br />prepared for the CRESr proposal. It concludes that on the basis of <br />research accomplishments and operational programs conducted to date, a <br />Finding of No Significant Impact is appropriate for the proposal to <br />conduct an 8-year seeding demonstration in the Colorado River Basin. <br />In addition, it recognizes that when the demonstration areas are <br />selected at the conclusion of the public involvement process following <br />authorization and funding of the proposal by Congress, that site-specific <br />environmental assessment for matters such as community impact, local <br />environmental concerns, and Endangered Species Act of 1983, Section 7 <br />compliance will be accomplished. <br /> <br />Final determinations about the possible effects of a long-term opera- <br />tional cloud seeding program must await actual quantitative information <br />about how much change is produced, and when and where it occurs. <br />Obtaining this information is a primary goal of CREST. Therefore, <br />continuing monitoring programs will be conducted for environmental and <br />social components during the life of the project because environmental <br />and social acceptability are important factors in the decision on <br />whether to proceed with an operational program. <br /> <br />Cloud seeding research activities in the Rocky Mountains, the Sierra <br />Nevada, the Medicine Bow Mountains, and the Cascades have been accomp- <br />lished without adverse environmental consequences. Many Western States <br />have supported operational cloud seeding programs or have issued <br />permits for private sector programs. The State of Utah has sponsored <br />cloud seeding programs for over a decade. The State of Nevada conducts <br />a cloud seeding program. Public utilities in California have carried <br />out the Nation's longest, continuous, operational cloud seeding pro- <br />gram; seeding storms passing over the Sierra Nevada, including specially <br />identified public lands such as wilderness areas, without incident or <br />indication of harmful environmental effects or social inconvenience. <br />Operational precipitation augmentation programs are conducted in <br />Alberta, Canada, and Israel without adverse environmental impact. <br />These experiences create a presumption in favor of the ability to <br /> <br />36 <br />