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Show 73 forecasts of seasonal strearofiow. This allows water resource managers more lead timo to evaluate risks and prepare tor both drought and flood This process is not as straightforward in the East and Midwest, where drought relates more to the absence of rainfall,, most of which is received during the warm months of the year. This allows farmers, ranchers and water manager s the opportunity to reduce their risks from drought or other water related problems, Long- term rainfall predictability is tenuous at best, whereas seasonal snow pack monitoring, at appropriate levels, can support excellent annual drought warning. Question 3; What can be done to improve water resource management specifically related to drought? in response, we will share NRCS'a comments that were provided to the National Drought Policy Commission. These were reported to Congress in May 2000, and have be- en updated for this response. The NRCS Emergency Watershed Protection ( EWP) Program is authorized to cost- share ( 75 percent Federal to 25 percent local sponsor) natural disaster recovery measures, including the effects of drought. Drought recovery practices are generally temporary in nature and are intended to reduce the consequences of a drought BWP assistance typically provides temporary water to livestock, reducing the use of drought impacted water resources, or prescribed grazing and/ or purchasing and transporting hay, which allows rangaiand to recover more rapidly. Planting vegetation may also be used to reduce soil erosion. EWP assistance cannot be used during drought situations to install certain permanent practices of structures, including water wells, irrigation systems, or purchase of portable equipment ( i. e. water pumps). EWP practices during drought situations will not be conducted at the expense of another natural resource, such as pumping or releasing water from a water body to an extent that is enviionmentally detrimental. The Environmental Quality Incentives Program ( EQIP) provides assistance to drought- related natural resource impairments. Specific projects can include: * improve irrigation systems; • Enhance irrigation efficiencies; * Convert to-- o me production of less water- intensive agricultural commodities; or o dry land farming; « Improve the storage of water through measures such as water banking and groundwater recharge; » Mitigate the effect of drought; or • Institute other measures that improve groundwater and surface water conservation, as determined by the Secretary, in the agricultural operations of producer, and » Pond or spring development. On a larger scale, N& CS or multi- agency planning at the watershed level allows planners to provide better and longer lasting drought mitigatton practices for fish and wildlife resources than can be done at the farm or ranch level. Stream and riparian restoration throughout the watershed can provide excellent mitigation against the ravages of drought in western States by targeting |