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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I '\. /I Jfl:,.' ,.lil.l'lI " n'D'U"~ u "" ..,.... Integrating Drought Managemem and Warer Policy extreme climatic conditions, This system would support and reinforce the tenets of a national policy and plan. Third, it was recommended that a national drought mitigation center be created to assist State and other levels of government in developing appropriate mitigation technologies. The center would .also be responsible for establishing a clearinghouse that would serve as a resource for government, regional organizations, and the private sector for a broad range of drought- related infonnation, Fourth, a review of all Federal drought relief programs was recommended to ensure their consistency with national drought policy, The goal of this action is to redefine emergency assistance available during periods of drought to guarantee that it provides adequate incentives for the adoption of proactive management and planning strategies that minimize risks associated with drought. Fifth, postdrought audits of previous response efforts must be conducted to identify the successes and failures of recent efforts. These audits would provide a rationale basis for recommending the continuation or discontinuation of assistance programs. Sixth, educational programs and training workshops that promote water conservation and management should be developed for all age groups and the media, · Office of Technology Assessment (Preparing for an Uncertain Climate) The OTA conducted a study (U.S. Congress, OTA, 1993) at the request of Congress to address how the United States can cope with projected changes in climate, given the high level of uncertainty about what the future climate is likely to be. This study sought to identify natural and managed natural resource systems at risk from climate change, how to incorporate the uncertainty of climate change into planning decisions, and whether the U.S. Global Change Research Program is providing infonnation to decisionmakers in a timely manner. OTA based its assessment on six systems: coastal areas, water resources, agriculture, wetlands, Federally protected natural areas, and forests. The water section of the OTA report specifically addresses the issue of drought management and Federal initiatives that would improve future response and preparedness. OTA noted that a first step to improved water management would be improved management of extreme climatic events such as floods and droughts. One recommendation to improve drought management was to create an interagency task force to develop a national drought policy. Other recommended actions to improve water management were to provide the Bureau of Reclamation 31