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Show 27 perts, they've been here for so long they have a feel for it, but when they're gone, their juniors, you're much better off to use some rigorous data than just have it all up in your head, and that's what these tools will do. Mr. MATHESON. And if you are a spokesman communicating to the public issues such as drought- and you mentioned in your opening statement that a lot of your data comes from government sources- are the Federal agencies providing you with the necessary information you need to effectively communicate these issues to the public? Mr. EUBANK. In the past, I couldn't have told you yes, but today I can tell you yes. I think the information age, the Internet has opened up those government data sets to everybody. And I find that to be extremely healthy. So the answer today is yes. Mr. MATHESON. Could there be, in terms of coordination are there, do you have any suggestions for what we could be doing better in that regard? Mr. EUBANK. NO, I think the forums, though, forums like this, or perhaps even more scientific, with an open mind just let the ideas come and not just bottleneck them because they're not rigorous. Let everything happen and just go off and work on those kinds of projects. I think that is a healthy thing to do. Mr. MATHESON. AS you probably know, this Committee has jurisdiction over the National Science Foundation and we know there's a lot of efforts for investment in government research and so do you have a sense of where we could go with research to provide additional tools that would help in your department in developing predictive capability? Mr. EUBANK. Not a specific recommendation, Congressman. Mr. MATHESON. The pattern of recognition maybe you mentioned earlier? Mr. EUBANK. AS Dr. Potter said, it's a tough problem. If it was easy, it would have been solved years ago. It's a very, very complex problem but I still think it's possible. I am firm believer that we can make long range weather predictions a year or more accurately, especially with droughts. Mr. MATHESON. Thank you, Mr. Eubanks. Mr. CANNON. Thank you. Does the young lady from California wish to ask questions? Ms. WOOLSEY. No. I just came to listen. Is this on? Mr. CANNON. It should be on. Ms. WOOLSEY. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you, Mr. Matheson, for inviting me. This guy has talked about what's going on here, it is getting dull, as a matter of fact, he talks about it so much. He cares so much about what's happening with the drought in this area. Just to put some of this in context for you, from where I come from. I have this in big large print right here in my district. I represent the district just north of San Francisco across the Golden Gate Bridge. So that tells you who I am and who they are, and a bit different from maybe who all of you are. |