AWWA JAW53499

This paper reports on the National Drought Policy Commission (NDPC), created by Congress in 1998 and charged with determining how to integrate federal, state, local, and tribal drought laws and programs into a comprehensive national policy. Through a series of public meetings, the commission heard firsthand from communities and individuals affected by drought and learned about solutions to help avoid or mitigate the effects of drought. On the basis of its findings, the NDPC advocated establishment of an ongoing national drought council and proposed a federal drought policy emphasizing preparedness and prevention rather than response after the fact. The commission also issued specific recommendations in the areas of planning; research on monitoring, prediction, and assessment; insurance and financial strategies; emergency response; and, coordination of drought programs. Includes tables, figures.