§ 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 to better inform and provide for more timely decisionmaking to reduce drought related impacts and costs.

 (b) System functionsThe National Integrated Drought Information System shall—(1) provide an effective drought early warning system that—(A) collects and integrates information on the key indicators of drought and drought impacts in order to make usable, reliable, and timely forecasts of drought, including assessments of the severity of drought conditions and impacts; and (B) provides such information, forecasts, and assessments on both national and regional levels; (2) communicate drought forecasts, drought conditions, and drought impacts on an ongoing basis to public and private entities engaged in drought planning and preparedness, including—(A) decisionmakers at the Federal, regional, State, tribal, and local levels of government; (B) the private sector; and (C) the public; (3) provide timely data, information, and products that reflect local, regional, and State differences in drought conditions; (4) coordinate, and integrate as practicable, Federal research and monitoring in support of a drought early warning system; (5) build upon existing forecasting and assessment programs and partnerships, including through the designation of one or more cooperative institutes to assist with National Integrated Drought Information System functions; and (6) continue ongoing research and monitoring activities related to drought, including research activities relating to length, severity, and impacts of drought and the role of extreme weather events and climate variability in drought. (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 section.

 (e) Report(1) In generalNot later than 18 months after March 6, 2014, the Under Secretary shall transmit to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report that contains—(A) an analysis of the implementation of the National Integrated Drought Information System program, including how the information, forecasts, and assessments are utilized in drought policy planning and response activities; (B) specific plans for continued development of such program, including future milestones; and (C) an identification of research, monitoring, and forecasting needs to enhance the predictive capability of drought early warnings that include—(i) the length and severity of droughts; (ii) the contribution of weather events to reducing the severity or ending drought conditions; and (iii) regionally specific drought impacts. (2) Consultation

In developing the report under paragraph (1), the Under Secretary shall consult with relevant Federal, regional, State, tribal, and local government agencies, research institutions, and the private sector.

 (Pub. L. 109–430, § 3, Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 2918; Pub. L. 113–86, § 2, Mar. 6, 2014, 128 Stat. 1015.) References in Text

This section, referred to in subsec. (d), was in the original “this Act”, meaning Pub. L. 109–430, Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 2918, which enacted this section and provisions set out as notes under this section and section 311 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 2006 Amendment note set out under section 311 of this title and Tables.

 Amendments

2014—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 113–86, § 2(1), inserted “to better inform and provide for more timely decisionmaking to reduce drought related impacts and costs” before period at end.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 113–86, § 2(2), added subsec. (b) and struck out former subsec. (b) which set out required functions of the National Integrated Drought Information System.

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 113–86, § 2(3), added subsec. (e).

 Authorization of Appropriations

Pub. L. 109–430, § 4, Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 2919, as amended by Pub. L. 113–86, § 3, Mar. 6, 2014, 128 Stat. 1016, provided that: “There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act [see Short Title of 2006 Amendment note set out under section 311 of this title] $13,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018.”

Definitions

Pub. L. 109–430, § 2, Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 2918, provided that: “In this Act [see Short Title of 2006 Amendment note set out under section 311 of this title]: “(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.”