Release No. 0166.00
                                                           
                          USDA: Susan McAvoy (202) 720-4623
                             A: Scott Smullen (202)482-6090
  
  
  COMMISSION URGES MORE PREPAREDNESS TO BETTER DEAL WITH DROUGHTS; NEW
  FORECAST WARNS OF MAJOR U.S. DROUGHT THIS SUMMER
  
       WASHINGTON, May 16, 2000   In its final report released today, the
  National Drought Policy Commission recommended enhanced preparedness and
  coordination in an effort to better deal with the devastating threat and
  impact of droughts in the United States.  The report comes following
  last year's severe drought which impacted much of the Eastern United
  States.
  
       "We responded to last year's drought by declaring nearly 2000
  counties disaster areas and offering millions of federal dollars to help
  provide relief," said Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman, the
  Commission's Chairperson.    "In addition to rapid response and needed
  emergency financial assistance, we must significantly upgrade our
  preventive efforts   both within the government and among the public."  
  
       The Commission, created by Congress in 1998, recommended that
  national drought policy favor preparedness over insurance, insurance
  over relief, and incentives to producers and others to plan for
  droughts.  The group also asks Congress to establish a permanent
  National Drought Council to coordinate the many federal programs
  currently involved in drought issues and to foster partnerships with
  state and local governments, as well as non-governmental groups. 
  Additional public information and training efforts are also suggested.  
  
       Secretary Glickman today embraced the Commission's
  recommendations, calling them "a positive and well-reasoned set of ideas
  and legislative principles."  Senator Pete Domenici and Congressman Joe
  Skeen, who helped create the Commission and served on it, also backed
  the recommendations in the final report. 
  
       "As chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on
  Agriculture and as a native New Mexican where drought is a persistent
  and severe problem, I'm pleased to see this commission bring forward a
  plan with recommendations for addressing the catastrophic consequences
  of this devastating natural disaster. In addition, as chairman of this
  subcommittee, I have seen first hand the severe economic impact drought
  has had on its victims and as a result my Subcommittee has directed
  billions of dollars in relief to America's hard hit farmers and ranchers
  during the past couple of years,"  Skeen said.
 
 
      "In light of the fires raging in New Mexico, it is proof that an
 ounce of prevention is worth a pound of care.  Drought emergencies tend to
 creep, unlike other weather disasters. Drought conditions can lead to
 short term disasters like enhanced fire danger and long-term consequences
 to agriculture, water availability, and local economics," Domenici said.   
 "While late, the purpose of the National Drought Policy Commission is to
 define federal efforts for coordinated drought mitigation and response.  A
 coordinated policy is crucial." 
 
     "Drought costs this nation over $6 billion a year in economic
 losses," pointed out retired Brigadier General Jack Kelly, Director of the
 National Weather Service, who today released a new three-month drought
 forecast.   "Preparedness is critical if we are to minimize these impacts. 
 Through a variety of National Weather Service products, we will continue
 to help the nation prepare for drought."
 
     The drought commission report and related documents can be obtained
 on the Internet at  http://www.fsa.usda.gov/drought.
                                   
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