RESPONDING TO DROUGHT - COMMON THREADS FROM THE PAST, VISION FOR THE FUTURE

A number of studies conducted since the late 1970s have evaluated stat e and federal responses to drought in the United States. Each of these studies identified a number of key issues and impediments that needed to be addressed to improve the nation's ability to cope with and prep are for future episodes of drought. A content analysis of these studie s was performed to identify common threads in their recommendations. T he premise of this analysis was that the series of drought years that occurred between 1986 and 1992 and recurred between 1994 and 1996 incr eased awareness of our nation's continuing and apparent growing vulner ability to drought. This awareness has led to greater consensus among principal constituents and stakeholders, and also a greater sense of u rgency to implement actions now to lessen vulnerability. The results o f this analysis revealed that several themes recur: create an integrat ed national drought policy and plan; develop an integrated national cl imate monitoring (drought watch) system; incorporate drought in FEMA's National Mitigation Strategy; conduct pest-drought audits of response efforts; establish regional draught forums; and encourage development of state drought mitigation plans.