To require the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere to carry out pilot projects relating to improved subseasonal to seasonal forecasting in agriculture and water management, and for other purposes.
About This Bill
Committee
Latest Action · August 1, 2024
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
This bill directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to establish at least two pilot projects aimed at improving long-range weather forecasting for water management in the western United States and for agriculture nationwide. The water management project will focus on better predicting precipitation in mountainous areas, improving forecasts of atmospheric rivers, and enhancing understanding of ocean influences on seasonal weather patterns, while the agriculture project will concentrate on predicting soil moisture, drought conditions, and seasonal precipitation patterns. Both pilot projects will partner with universities and existing NOAA offices to implement recommendations from a 2020 National Weather Service report and achieve measurable improvements in operational forecasting. The legislation authorizes forty-five million dollars annually from fiscal year 2024 through 2028 to carry out these activities, with the pilot projects set to conclude five years after the bill's enactment. The bill affects farmers, ranchers, and water managers who rely on accurate seasonal forecasts for planning and decision-making.
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