Position No. 238
June 12, 2002
The Honorable Wayne Allard
United States Senate
525 Senate Dirksen Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator Allard:
Last month, Senator Pete Domenici of New Mexico and Rep. Alcee Hastings of Florida respectively
introduced S. 2528 and H.R. 4754, the National Drought Preparedness Act of 2002. The Western
States Water Council strongly supports enactment of this important legislation this year and urges all
western congressional members to join a growing bipartisan list of cosponsors. With extended drought
conditions afflicting many parts of the West, federal legislation is needed to establish a national policy
and promote coordination of proactive measures at all levels of government to plan, prepare and
mitigate the serious impacts of drought in the United States. Western governors helped draft this
legislation and have called on the Congress and the President to support its enactment.
The Western States Water Council is an organization representing eighteen states. Its members are
appointed by their respective governors to address a broad range of water policy issues affecting the
West. Much of the West is characterized by its aridity. Water is scarce. Its availability continues to
circumscribe our economic and environmental well being and quality of life. Drought is a continuous
threat. The Council has been actively involved in drought management and policy since 1976, when it
served the governors as a regional coordinating body for drought relief efforts and a clearinghouse for
information on drought conditions. Western states learned from that experience, and began developing
drought response plans for the future. There is no doubt that timely, effective government action at the
federal, state, local and tribal levels to prevent or mitigate drought impacts can significantly reduce the
effects of drought and the need for relief expenditures. This legislation would help states develop and
implement drought preparedness plans.
Governor Gary Johnson of New Mexico and Judy Martz of Montana, co-lead governors for drought
issues for the Western Governors' Association have said, "It is high time for our nation to have a
comprehensive national policy for drought." We join the western governors in urging the Congress
and the Administration to enact this legislation.
Sincerely,
Michael J. Brophy, Chairman
Western States Water Council