Statement by the President - signs NIDIS Reauthorization Act

Statement by the President
For Immediate Release
March 06, 2014

Today, I signed the National Integrated Drought Information System Reauthorization Act into law. This bipartisan legislation ensures that the federal government can continue to provide timely, effective drought warning forecasts and vital support to communities that are vulnerable to drought. States, cities, towns, farmers, and businesses rely on tools and data from the National Integrated Drought Information System to make informed decisions about water use, crop planting, wildfire response, and other critical areas. As climate change increases the intensity of weather-related disasters such as droughts, wildfires, storms and floods, providing access to updated drought-related science and tools is growing even more important.

Currently, a number of Western states are facing drought conditions, including a severe drought in California, and my Administration is pursuing every measure to provide relief and support in partnership with States. To complement the National Integrated Drought Information System, as part of my Climate Action Plan, federal agencies have also formed a National Drought Resilience Partnership to help communities better prepare for droughts in the long term, and prevent the worst impacts on families and businesses. I commend Congress for passing this bipartisan bill to continue to build our national resilience to drought and help communities, farmers, businesses and individuals better prepare and recover when disaster strikes.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/03/06/statement-president


NDIS Website:
http://www.drought.gov/drought/

(passed house Passed 365/21)
Background:

In 1998, Congress passed the National Drought Policy Act, which authorized the National Drought Policy Commission. The Commission was developed in order to “provide advice and recommendations on the creation of an integrated, coordinated Federal policy designed to prepare for, and respond to, serious drought emergencies.” From this legislation, the Commission submitted a report, which called for “improved collaboration” to improve monitoring, prediction, and information sharing. In 2006, the Congress passed the National Integrated Drought Information System Act, which established the NIDIS program at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The program’s primary function is to provide an effective early warning system for droughts by coordinating and integrating federal research. NIDIS was responsible for the establishment of the U.S. Drought portal, a website that publishes data from observations—including early warnings about emerging and potential droughts—and provides decision support services for those managing droughts.

https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/hr2431#summary/houserepublicans

Drought-system funding clears Congress

BOULDER - Sen. Mark Udall hailed passage of legislation in Congress on Wednesday that reauthorizes funding for the Boulder-based National Integrated Drought Information System for five more years.

According to Udall's office, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that the NIDIS will receive $13.8 million next year.

The NIDIS tracks and forecasts drought conditions throughout the United States, providing vital information to farmers, ranchers and other industries.

"The recent severe drought has staggered Colorado's farmers and ranchers," Udall said in a press release. "It's the reason I have fought in Congress to improve our ability to forecast and monitor droughts and strengthen programs that help farmers coping with drought."

http://www.bcbr.com/article/20140227/NEWS/140229922