Science panel approves drought tracking system bill

Hurricane season may be underway, but the House Science Committee took on the reverse issue by approving legislation that would install a broad-based national plan for tracking and forecasting droughts.

The measure (H.R. 5136) was passed by voice vote and now advances to the House floor. Rep. Mark Udall, D-Colo., a co-sponsor of the bill, highlighted the extreme effects of drought in the country's western region, a natural disaster that costs the country an estimated $6 billion to $8 billion annually.

Udall trumpeted the need for the National Integrated Drought Information System that the legislation would create and which was supported by the committee. The $11 million communication system, which would also include an Internet portal for users to track water issues throughout the country, would provide a drought early warning system and analysis of how to prevent major damage for industries ranging from agriculture to tourism.

The newly created information system will be administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which reports to the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmospheres.

The lone amendment offered came from Rep. Ralph Hall, R-Texas, the bill's chief sponsor. Hall's amendment adopted by voice vote would reduce the projected expenditure for the system by $1 million annually.

Instead of $12 million for the project, which was the amount included in the measure approved by the House Science Environment, Technology and Standards Subcommittee, Hall's amendment authorizes spending $11 million in FY07, with $1 million annual increases in following years.