[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 120, 109th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

120 STAT. 2918

Public Law 109-430
109th Congress

An Act


 
To establish a National Integrated Drought Information System within the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to improve drought
monitoring and forecasting capabilities.  NOTE: Dec. 20, 2006 -  [H.R.
5136]

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,  NOTE: National
Integrated Drought Information System Act of 2006.
SECTION 1.  NOTE: 15 USC 311 note.  SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``National Integrated Drought
Information System Act of 2006''.
SEC. 2.  NOTE: 15 USC 313d note.  DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:
(1) Drought.--The term ``drought'' means a deficiency in
precipitation--
(A) that leads to a deficiency in surface or
subsurface water supplies (including rivers, streams,
wetlands, ground water, soil moisture, reservoir
supplies, lake levels, and snow pack); and
(B) that causes or may cause--
(i) substantial economic or social impacts; or
(ii) substantial physical damage or injury to
individuals, property, or the environment.
(2) Under secretary.--The term ``Under Secretary'' means the
Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere.
SEC. 3.  NOTE: 15 USC 313d.  NIDIS PROGRAM.

(a) In General.--The Under Secretary, through the National Weather
Service and other appropriate weather and climate programs in the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, shall establish a
National Integrated Drought Information System.
(b) System Functions.--The National Integrated Drought Information
System shall--
(1) provide an effective drought early warning system that--
(A) is a comprehensive system that collects and
integrates information on the key indicators of drought
in order to make usable, reliable, and timely drought
forecasts and assessments of drought, including
assessments of the severity of drought conditions and
impacts;
(B) communicates drought forecasts, drought
conditions, and drought impacts on an ongoing basis to--
(i) decisionmakers at the Federal, regional,
State, tribal, and local levels of government;
(ii) the private sector; and

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120 STAT. 2919

(iii) the public,
in order to engender better informed and more timely
decisions thereby leading to reduced impacts and costs;
and
(C) includes timely (where possible real-time) data,
information, and products that reflect local, regional,
and State differences in drought conditions;
(2) coordinate, and integrate as practicable, Federal
research in support of a drought early warning system; and
(3) build upon existing forecasting and assessment programs
and partnerships.

(c) Consultation.--The Under Secretary shall consult with relevant
Federal, regional, State, tribal, and local government agencies,
research institutions, and the private sector in the development of the
National Integrated Drought Information System.
(d) Cooperation From Other Federal Agencies.--Each Federal agency
shall cooperate as appropriate with the Under Secretary in carrying out
this Act.
SEC. 4.  NOTE: 15 USC 313d note.  AUTHORIZATION OF
APPROPRIATIONS.

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act--
(1) $11,000,000 for fiscal year 2007;
(2) $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;
(3) $13,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;
(4) $14,000,000 for fiscal year 2010;
(5) $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2011; and
(6) $16,000,000 for fiscal year 2012.

Approved December 20, 2006.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 5136 (S. 2751):
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HOUSE REPORTS: No. 109-503 (Comm. on Science).
SENATE REPORTS: No. 109-356 accompanying S. 2751 (Comm. on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation).
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 152 (2006):
Sept. 26, considered and passed House.
Dec. 6, considered and passed Senate.