1. University of Nebraska  Lincoln R School of Natural Resources Donald A. Wilhite, Director School of Natural Resources University of Nebraska The U.S. Experience in Drought Management: Breaking the Hydro-illogical Cycle

2. How do we break the cycle? STOP!

17. Drought impacts today are similar but more complex as more economic sectors are affected, creating more conflicts between water users.

18. University of Nebraska  Lincoln R School of Natural Resources National Drought Mitigation Center.... a catalyst for change Mission Mission: To lessen societal vulnerability to drought by promoting planning and the adoption of appropriate risk management techniques.

19. The Cycle of Disaster Management

20. Support for RISK-BASED DROUGHT MITIGATION PLANNING.... has been from the BOTTOM UP! State/Local/ Tribal Regional Federal

22. ResponseMitigation Increasing need for timely, reliable climate/water supply assessments Increasing need for higher resolution analysis for policy/decision support Increasing need for more reliable seasonal forecasts/outlooks

23. The progression to drought mitigation planning..... Demand for mitigation planning Development of new monitoring tools a synergistic relationship!

25. and then along comes... NIDIS National Integrated Drought Information System

26. Western Governor’s Association 1996 : Recommendation for national preparation for and response to drought. 2000: Creation of National Drought Policy Commission. 2003: Partnership with NOAA to improve drought monitoring and forecasting. 2004: Formal document published recommending NIDIS. U.S. Congress The 109th Congress introduced a bill (H.R. 1386/S. 802) to improve national drought preparedness, mitigation, and response efforts, etc. Subcommittee on Disaster Reduction (President’s National Science and Technology Council) Highlighted drought as one of the grand challenges for disaster reduction in 2005. Proposed actions calls for developing an implementation plan for NIDIS. U.S. Integrated Earth Observing System NIDIS is one of six near term opportunities identified by U.S. GEO. Major Drivers of NIDIS

27. NIDIS: An integrated, interagency national drought monitoring and forecasting system that provides: An early warning system for drought. Drought impact and causation education. Resources for drought mitigation. An interactive, web-based drought portal. Improved observational capabilities. Existing Drought Product: NIDIS will Provide Major Improvements National Integrated Drought Information System drought.gov

28. Principle Elements of Drought Risk Reduction Framework

29. Percentage change in average duration of longest dry period, 30-year average for 2071-2100 compared to that for 1961-1990. Drought projections for IPCC‘s A1B scenario Where we’re headed: Droughts

30. Lessons Learned Take advantage of ‘windows of opportunity’, i.e. drought events. Focus on drought risk management vs. crisis management. Engage stakeholders in all aspects of planning. Establish national drought monitoring or early warning system. Establish national drought policy focused on risk reduction principles.

31. University of Nebraska  Lincoln R School of Natural Resources Thanks for your attention! School of Natural Resources snr.unl.edu dwilhite2@unl.edu