An Act to authorize and direct the Secretary of Commerce to develop a national policy on weather modification, and for other purposes.
PL 94-490 (S.3383), enacted 10/13/1976

PUBLIC LAW 94-490—OCT. 13, 1976 
90 STAT. 2359 
Public Law 94-490 
94th Congress 
An Act 
To authorize and direct tlie Secretary of Commerce to develop a national policy 
on weather modification, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assenibled^ That this Act may 
be cited as the "National Weather Modification Policy Act of 1976". 
SEC. 2. DECLARATION OF POLICY. 
(a) FINDINGS.—The Congress finds and declares the following: 
(1^ Weather-related disasters and hazards, including drought, 
hurricanes, tornadoes, hail, lightning, fog, floods, and frost, result 
in substantial human suffering and loss of life, billions of dollars 
of annual economic losses to owners of crops and other property, 
and substantial financial loss to the United States Treasury; 
(2) Weather modification technology has significant potential 
for preventing, diverting, moderating, or ameliorating the adverse 
effects of such disasters and hazards and enhancing crop produc-
tion and the availability of water; 
(3) The interstate nature of climatic and related phenomena, 
the severe economic hardships experienced as the result of occa-
sional drought and other adverse meteorological conditions, and 
the existing role and responsibilities of the Federal Government 
with respect to disaster relief, require appropriate Federal action 
to prevent or alleviate such disasters and hazards; and 
(4) Weather modification programs may have long-range and 
unexpected effects on existing climatic patterns which are not con-
fined by national boundaries. 
(b) PuKPOSE.—It is therefore declared to be the purpose of the Con-
gress in this Act to develop a comprehensive and coordinated national 
weather modification policy and a national program of weather modifi-
cation research and development— 
(1) to determine the means by which deliberate weather modifi-
cation can be used at the present time to decrease the adverse 
impact of weather on agriculture, economic growth, and the gen-
eral public welfare, and to determine the potential for weather 
modification; 
(2) to conduct research into those scientific areas considered 
most likely to lead to practical techniques for drought prevention 
or alleviation and other forms of deliberate weather modification; 
(3) to develop practical methods and devices for weather 
modification; 
(4) to make weather modification research findings available to 
interested parties; 
(5) to assess the economic, social, environmental, and legal 
impact of an operational weather modification program; 
(6) to develop both national and international mechanisms 
designed to minimize conflicts which may arise with respect to the 
peaceful uses of weather modification; and 
Oct. 13, 1976 
[S. 3383] 
National Weather 
Modification 
Policy Act of 
1976. 
15 u s e 330 note. 
15 u s e 330 note. 
Policy. 
Research and 
development 
program. 
90 STAT. 2360 
PUBLIC LAW 94-490—OCT. 13, 1976 
(7) to integrate the results of existing experience and studies in 
weather modiification activities into model codes and agreements 
for regulation of domestic and international weather modification 
activities. 
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. 
15 use 330 note. 
As used in this Act: 
(1) The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Commerce. 
(2) The term "State" means any State of the United States, the Dis-
trict of Columbia, or any Commonwealth, territory, or possession of 
the United States. 
(3) The term "weather modification" means any activity performed 
with the intention and expectation of producing changes in precipita-
tion, wind, fog, lightning, and other atmospheric phenomena. 
SEC. 4. STUDY. 
15 use 330 note. 
The Secretary shall conduct a comprehensive investigation and 
study of the state of scientific knowledge concerning weather modifi-
cation, the present state of development of weather modification tech-
nology, the problems impeding effective implementation of weather 
modification technology, and other related matters. Such study shall 
include— 
(1) a review and analysis of the present and past research 
efforts to establish practical weather modification technology, par-
ticularly as it relates to reducing loss of life and crop and prop-
erty destruction; 
(2) a review and analysis of research needs in weather modifi-
cation to establish areas in which more research could be expected 
to yield the greatest return in terms of practical weather modifi-
cation technology; 
(3) a review and analysis of existing studies to establish the 
probable economic importance to the United States in terms of 
agricultural production, ener^, and related economic factors if 
the present weather modification technology were to be effectively 
implemented; 
(4) an assessment of the legal, social, and ecological implica-
tions of expanded and effective research and operational v;eather 
modification projects; 
(5) formulation of one or more options for a model regulatory 
code for domestic weather modification activities, such code to be 
based on a review and analysis of experience and studies in this 
area, and to be adaptable to State and national needs; 
(6) recommendations concerning legislation desirable at all 
levels of government to implement a national weather modification 
policy and program; 
(7) a review of the international importance and implications 
of weather modification activities by the United States; 
(8) a review and analysis of present and past funding for 
weather modification from all sources to determine the sources and 
adequacy of funding in the light of the needs of the Nation; 
(9) a review and analysis of the purpose, policy, methods, and 
funding of the Federal departments and agencies involved in 
weather modification and of the existing interagency coordination 
of weather modification research efforts; 
PUBLIC LAW 94-490—OCT. 13, 1976 
90 STAT. 2361 
Submittal to 
President and 
Congress. 
15 u s e 33Q note. 
(10) a review and analysis of the necessity and feasibility of 
negotiating an international agreement concerning the peaceful 
uses of weather modification; and 
(11) formulation of one or more options for a model inter-
national agreement concerning the peaceful uses of weather modi-
fication and the regulation of national weather modification 
activities; and a review and analysis of the necessity and feasi-
bility of negotiating such an agreement. 
SEC. 5. REPORT. 
(a) I N GENERAL.—The Secretary shall prepare and submit to the 
President and the Congress, within 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, a final report on the findings, conclusions, and recommenda-
tions of the study conducted pursuant to section 4. Such report shall 
include: 
(1) a summary of the findings made with respect to each of the 
areas of investigation specified in section 4; 
(2) other findings which are pertinent to the determination and 
implementation of a national policy on weather modifications; 
(3) a recommended national policy on weather modification 
and a recommended national weather modification research and 
development program which is consistent with, and likely to con-
tribute to, achieving the objectives of such policy; 
(4) recommendations for levels of Federal funding sufficient 
to support adequately a national weather modification research 
and development program; 
(5) recommendations for any changes in the organization and 
involvement of Federal departments and agencies in weather 
modification which may be needed to implement effectively the 
recommended national policy on weather modification and the 
recommended research and development program; and 
(6) recommendations for any regulatory and other legislation 
which may be required to implement such policy and program 
or for any international agreement which may be appropriate con-
cerning the peaceful uses of weather modification, including rec-
ommendations concerning the dissemination, refinement, and 
possible implementation of the model domestic code and interna-
tional agreement developed under the specifications of section 4. 
Each department, agency, and other instrumentality of the Federal Cooperation. 
Government is authorized and directed to furnish the Secretary any 
information which the Secretary deems necessary to carry out his func-
tions under this Act. 
(b) OPERATION AND CONSULTATION.—The Secretary shall solicit and 
consider the views of State agencies, private firms, institutions of 
higher learning, and other interested persons and governmental entities 
in the conduct of the study required by section 4, and in the prepara-
tion of the report required by subsection (a). 
SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION FOR APPROPRIATIONS. 
(a) There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for the 15 USC 330 note, 
purposes of carrying out the provisions of this Act not to exceed 
$1,000,000. 
90 STAT. 2362 
PUBLIC LAW 94-490—OCT. 13, 1976 
(b) Section 6 of the Act entitled "An Act to provide for the report-
ing of weather modification activities to the Federal Government'', 
approved December 18, 1971 (85 Stat. 736; 88 Stat. 1212; 15 U.S.C. 
330e), is further amended by striking out "1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, and 
1977," and inserting in lieu thereof "1973 through 1980,". 
Approved Oct. 13, 1976. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: 
SENATE REPORT No. 94-859 (Comm. on Commerce). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 122 (1976): 
May 21, considered and passed Senate. 
Sept. 20, considered and passed House, amended. 
Sept. 28, Senate concurred in House amendments.