National Integrated Drought Information System Act of 2006
PL 109-430 (H.R.5136), enacted 12/20/2006

120 STAT. 2918
PUBLIC LAW 109–430—DEC. 20, 2006
Public Law 109–430
109th Congress
An Act
To establish a National Integrated Drought Information System within the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to improve drought monitoring and
forecasting capabilities.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘National Integrated Drought
Information System Act of 2006’’.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(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.
SEC. 3. NIDIS PROGRAM.
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Under Secretary, through the National
Weather Service and other appropriate weather and climate pro-
grams in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
shall establish a National Integrated Drought Information System.
(b) SYSTEM FUNCTIONS.—The National Integrated Drought
Information System shall—
(1) provide an effective drought early warning system
that—
(A) is a comprehensive system that collects and
integrates information on the key indicators of drought
in order to make usable, reliable, and timely drought fore-
casts and assessments of drought, including assessments
of the severity of drought conditions and impacts;
(B) communicates drought forecasts, drought condi-
tions, and drought impacts on an ongoing basis to—
(i) decisionmakers at the Federal, regional, State,
tribal, and local levels of government;
(ii) the private sector; and
15 USC 313d.
15 USC 313d
note.
15 USC 311 note.
National
Integrated
Drought
Information
System Act of
2006.
Dec. 20, 2006
[H.R. 5136]
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120 STAT. 2919
PUBLIC LAW 109–430—DEC. 20, 2006
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 5136 (S. 2751):
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 109–503 (Comm. on Science).
SENATE REPORTS: No. 109–356 accompanying S. 2751 (Comm. on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation).
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 152 (2006):
Sept. 26, considered and passed House.
Dec. 6, considered and passed Senate.
(iii) the public,
in order to engender better informed and more timely
decisions thereby leading to reduced impacts and costs;
and
(C) includes timely (where possible real-time) data,
information, and products that reflect local, regional, and
State differences in drought conditions;
(2) coordinate, and integrate as practicable, Federal
research in support of a drought early warning system; and
(3) build upon existing forecasting and assessment pro-
grams and partnerships.
(c) CONSULTATION.—The Under Secretary shall consult with
relevant Federal, regional, State, tribal, and local government agen-
cies, research institutions, and the private sector in the development
of the National Integrated Drought Information System.
(d) COOPERATION FROM OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES.—Each Fed-
eral agency shall cooperate as appropriate with the Under Secretary
in carrying out this Act.
SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act—
(1) $11,000,000 for fiscal year 2007;
(2) $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;
(3) $13,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;
(4) $14,000,000 for fiscal year 2010;
(5) $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2011; and
(6) $16,000,000 for fiscal year 2012.
Approved December 20, 2006.
15 USC 313d
note.
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