Obama signs drought info. system bill

On March 6, President Barack Obama signed the “National Integrated Drought Information System Reauthorization Act of 2014,” which authorizes appropriations for the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) through fiscal year 2018 and requires the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to report to Congress on the implementation of the NIDIS.

In a statement, Obama said that the bipartisan bill “ensures that the federal government can continue to provide timely, effective drought warning forecasts and vital support to communities that are vulnerable to drought” and that states, cities, towns, farmers, and businesses would use it to make decisions about water use, crop planting, wildfire response, and other critical areas.

Obama also noted that Western states including California are facing droughts and said his administration, as part of its Climate Action Plan, has formed a National Drought Resiliance Partnership to help communities better prepare for droughts and prevent the worst impacts on households and businesses.

–the Hagstrom Report