WSP04710

• File Number: 8056
• Description: Drought Preparedness
• State: CO
• Basin: Statewide
• Date: 6/1/1997
• Author: Donald Wilhite
• Title: Improving Drought Management in the West
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

Improving Drought Management in the West: The Role of Mitigation and Preparedness

of indices through an evaluation of their reliability in detecting
emerging drought; (4) develop an integrated program of impact
assessment for all primary sectors; (5) increase drought contingency
planning to provide greater guidance to resource managers and others
in response to extreme events; (6) develop improved recordkeeping on
heat mortality and morbidity and conduct studies of the impact of
drought on mental health; and (7) improve the delivery ofinfonnation
on drought and its impacts to users, especially in the business sector.
Riebsame et a1. (1991) suggested that because many of these
recommendations were embodied in the National Climate Program Act
of 1978, this legislation, if fully implemented, could serve as a vehicle
to address many of these issues.

. Wilhite (Drought Mitigation Technologies in the U.S.: With Future
Policy Recommendations)

Wilhite (1993a) completed a review of drought mitigation technologies
that had recently been implemented in the United States in response to
the series of severe drought years between 1986 and 1992. The
primary goal of this study was to review and evaluate ongoing and
developing Federal, interstate, and State drought mitigation
technologies, programs, and policies as a basis for identifying
opportunities to improve the effectiveness of future SCS drought
mitigation initiatives. Although this study initially focused on SCS
programming, the scope extended to all Federal agencies and other
levels of government in an attempt to identify initiatives that would
improve the Nation's ability to manage droughts through a more
integrated approach within and between levels of government,
involving regional organizations and the private sector where
appropriate. Feedback from Federal and State Government and
regional organizations was obtained from a series of survey
instruments.

Six recommendations came from this study. First, it was recommended
that a national drought policy and plan be developed to improve the
effectiveness of future response efforts and the efficiency of resource
allocation during times of water shortage. This action is intended to
improve coordination by integrating planning activities within and
between levels of government and reduce duplication between Federal
agencies. Second, a national drought watch system was recommended
to achieve a more comprehensive assessment of drought and other

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