WGA testimony supports reauthorization of National Integrated Drought Information System
Don't let the recent stormy weather across the Midwest and the Rocky Mountains fool you -- drought remains a significant issue for Western states.
The Western Governors' Association recognizes that and has worked to raise awareness about key bills in Congress that can help western states prepare for drought (and flooding), as well as offering information on the latest conditions.
One of the ways WGA accomplishes the latter is through Climate Impacts and Outlook, a quarterly publication that was developed by the WGA and National Oceanic & Atmosphere Administration (NOAA) after the organizations signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 2011.(Read the latest report.)
Through this agreement we have worked closely with Roger Pulwarty of NOAA. Roger, who serves as the Director of the National Integrated Drought Information System, regularly testifies before Congress. Today (April 25), he appeared before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources to discuss drought and its effect on energy and water management decisions.
To complement Roger's testimony, WGA Executive Director James Ogsbury submitted additional testimony about the significant impact of drought on economies and the natural environment of the western states. The tesimony also noted that WGA "strongly supports the reauthorization of NIDIS and believe the “Drought Information Act of 2013” (S. 376) is a good vehicle to achieve that goal. Without the resources in NIDIS, the entire nation would take a step back in terms of the access to fast, reliable information for a coordinated and timely response to drought."