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H.R. 5136 (109th): National Integrated Drought Information System Act of 2006

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The text of the bill below is as of Apr 6, 2006 (Introduced).

I

109th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 5136

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 6, 2006

(for himself and Mr. Udall of Colorado) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science

A BILL

To establish a National Integrated Drought Information System within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to improve drought monitoring and forecasting capabilities.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the National Integrated Drought Information System Act of 2006.

2.

Definitions

In this Act:

(1)

Drought

The term drought means a deficiency in precipitation—

(A)

that leads to a deficiency in surface or subsurface water supplies (including rivers, streams, wetlands, ground water, soil moisture, reservoir supplies, lake levels, and snow pack); and

(B)

that causes or may cause—

(i)

substantial economic or social impacts; or

(ii)

substantial physical damage or injury to individuals, property, or the environment.

(2)

Under secretary

The term Under Secretary means the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere.

4.

NIDIS program

(a)

In general

The Under Secretary, through the National Weather Service and other appropriate weather and climate programs in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, shall establish a National Integrated Drought Information System.

(b)

System functions

The National Integrated Drought Information System shall—

(1)

provide an effective drought early warning system that—

(A)

is a comprehensive system that collects and integrates information on the key indicators of drought in order to make usable, reliable, and timely assessments of drought, including assessments of the severity of drought and drought forecasts.

(B)

communicates drought forecasts, drought conditions, and drought impacts on an ongoing basis to—

(i)

decisionmakers at the Federal, regional, State, tribal, and local levels of government;

(ii)

the private sector; and

(iii)

the public,

in order to engender better informed and more timely decisions thereby leading to reduced impacts and costs; and
(C)

includes timely (where possible real-time) data, information, and products that reflect local, regional, and State differences in drought conditions; and

(2)

coordinate, and integrate as practicable, Federal research in support of a drought early warning system.

(c)

Consultation

The Under Secretary shall consult with relevant Federal, regional, State, tribal, and local government agencies, research institutions, and the private sector in the development of the National Integrated Drought Information System.

(d)

Cooperation from other federal agencies

Each Federal agency shall cooperate as appropriate with the Under Secretary in carrying out this Act.

5.

Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act—

(1)

$12,000,000 for fiscal year 2007;

(2)

$14,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;

(3)

$16,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;

(4)

$16,000,000 for fiscal year 2010;

(5)

$18,000,000 for fiscal year 2011; and

(6)

$18,000,000 for fiscal year 2012.