Oklahoma drought contingency plan.

              Oklahoma
Drought Management
Plan
Prepared by
The Oklahoma
Drought Management Team
August 1997
P.O. Box 53365 Oklahoma City, OK 73152 (405) 521-2481 (405) 521-4053 fax
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FORWARD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
BACKGROUND . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
History of State Drought Response Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Authorization, Purpose & General Structure of the Oklahoma Drought Management
Team
Development of the Oklahoma Drought Contingency Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Primary Drought Impacts and Area of Concern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
STATE DROUGHT ACTION PLAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
General Response Mechanism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Task & Responsibilities of the Oklahoma Drought Management Team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
State Drought Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Water Availability & Outlook Committee (WAOC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Impact Assessment & Response Committee (IARC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Interagency Coordinating Committee (ICC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Sequence of State Drought Response Actions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Drought Response Indices, Indicators and Related Considerations
Utilized by the Oklahoma Management Team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Crop Moisture Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Keetch-Byram Drought Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Major/Minor Reservoir Storage and Public Water Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Palmer Drought Severity Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Precipitation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Reclamation Drought Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Standardized Precipitation Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Streamflows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Water Well Levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Other Drought Monitoring and Assessment Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Local, State & Federal Drought-Related Capabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Local Programs and Responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
County Governments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Individuals and Private Industry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Irrigation Districts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Rural Fire Protection Departments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Rural Water Districts and Municipalities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
USDA Emergency Boards (County) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Volunteer Relief Organizations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
State Program and Responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Department of Agriculture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Department of Central Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Climatological Survey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Department of Commerce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Conservation Commission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Corporation Commission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Department of Emergency Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Department of Environmental Quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Department of Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Military Department . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service . . . . . . . . . . 29
Department of Tourism and Recreation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
USDA Emergency Board (State) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Water Resources Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Department of Wildlife Conservation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Other State Drought Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Federal Programs and Responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Department of Agriculture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
American Red Cross . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Bureau of Indian Affairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Bureau of Reclamation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Department of Defense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Federal Emergency Management Agency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Farm Service Agency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
U.S. Geological Survey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Department of Health and Human Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Internal Revenue Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Natural Resources Conservation Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Rural Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Small Business Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
National Weather Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Other Federal Drought Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
APPENDIX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
BIBLIOGRAPHY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
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FORWARD
In retrospect, it appears that the 1995-96 Oklahoma drought, which spurred development
of this plan, was one of the most severe on record. The drought, beginning around October 1995
and persisting through at least the first half of 1996, initially impacted western Oklahoma where
the greatest impacts were experienced between February -- when state-averaged rainfall was the
lowest ever recorded and five climate divisions received less than 10 percent of their monthly
average -- and April. From October 1995 through May 1996, the state-averaged precipitation
total was only 52 percent of normal, the driest for that period this century. Three climate
divisions -- the West Central (34 percent of normal), North Central (37 percent) and Southwest
(40 percent) -- experienced their driest period on record. The three Panhandle counties, which
normally averaged from five to eight inches of rainfall from January through May, received only
about .50 to two inches of precipitation, and some areas none, during that period. Countries in
southwest Oklahoma, which normally average at least nine to 10 inches of precipitation during the
period, received an inch or less. Due to unusually heavy and persistent rainfall received
throughout much of June and July, moisture deficits rebound significantly in western Oklahoma
and several other regions of the state.
Fortunately, it would likely require several years of continuing, severe drought conditions
for Oklahoma to again experience such monumentally damaging climate conditions as those that
occurred during the Dust Bowl years of 1933 through 1937. The tragic event -- resulting from
years of drought in the region and exacerbated by the stock market crash, crop failures, extremely
low grain prices and mechanized farming -- led to the out-mitigation of some 59,000 Oklahoma
citizens during the 1930s. Reminded of this tragic episode as effects of the 1996 drought rippled
through the state’s economy and society, and recognizing the deficiency of serious drought
planning work in Oklahoma, state emergency officials and water resource planners recommended
to Governor Keating that the state develop this comprehensive drought plan.
This document, which has been prepared as part of Oklahoma’s Emergency Preparedness
Planning effort, is intended to delineate appropriate response actions for districts, cities, counties,
state agencies and the federal government should a serous drought occur in Oklahoma. The
report describes and suggests primary lines of authority and responsibility, and points out request
procedures for state or federal assistance. It is recommended that this plan be utilized in
conjunction with the State Emergency Operations Plan.
For more information on Oklahoma’s general emergency/drought programs and actions, contact
the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management P.O. Box 53365, Oklahoma City, OK
73152. Specific information about the Oklahoma Drought Contingency Plan may be obtained
from the ODEM Chief of Operations at (405) 521-2481.
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BACKGROUND
History of State Drought Response Activities
Crisis management, both on the state and local level, best describes the previous efforts of
Oklahoma leaders to deal with episodes of drought. Typically, the state has taken a reactive,
rather than a proactive, approach to drought management, as demonstrated throughout recent
history by the annual formation and subsequent disbandment (as conditions “improved”) of
drought/heat task forces and related ad hoc groups. However, it has become increasingly
apparent that stop-gap measures are largely ineffective in mitigating both the short- and long-term
impacts of drought in Oklahoma.
The most recent state-driven drought response attempt of note occurred as a result of
Governor Henry Bellmon’s formation of the Oklahoma Drought Action Coordinating Council in
June 1988. The Drought council delineated the designated drought-related duties and
responsibilities of appropriate entities and recommended that the Governor appoint a State
Drought Coordinator to supervise development of a long-term, statewide drought contingency
plan to mitigate the effects of drought in Oklahoma. From 1987 through 1989, Oklahoma
(through the OWRB) participated with the States of Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Kentucky,
Montana, Colorado and Oregon to develop a model drought contingency plan for state
governments. The goal of this effort, directed by the University of Nebraska’s International
Drought Information Center, was to improve state drought mitigation efforts through more timely
and effective monitoring, assessment and response activities.
The resulting plan, Planning for Drought: A Process for State Government,” includes a
10-step framework (frequently referred to during development of this plan) to mitigate state
drought episodes, including development, implementation and continuous evaluation of a drought
plan.
During meetings concerning development of a model plan, one factor dominated the
states’ discussion -- the need to establish a continuing commitment within each state to the
response planning process in order to assure “institutional memory” between extreme drought
events. Also, it was generally agreed that the drought planning process must be guided by a
group with sufficient authority and technical expertise to coordinate multi-agency involvement
and perform (or authorize the performance of) appropriate monitoring, response and evaluation
tasks.
The 1995 update of the 1980 Oklahoma Comprehensive Water Plan recommends
appointment by the Governor of a state drought coordinator to direct federal, state and local
drought response efforts in Oklahoma as well as development of a comprehensive drought
preparedness plan for mitigating the effects of drought episodes. Such an effort, according to the
OCWP, should include the investigation of a monitoring/early warning system, including
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development of drought indices; techniques to assess the probable impacts of prospective drought
episodes; approaches to coordinating governmental activities; assistance programs and
implementation criteria; financial/research resources needed to implement drought assessment and
response activities; and educational programs designed to promote drought
mitigation/preparedness among the economic sectors most impacted by drought.
This recommendation(s) appears to offer options consistent with experiences garnered
from past drought planning-related efforts in Oklahoma as well as in neighboring states. Creation
of a state drought coordinating body to guide development of a comprehensive and effective state
drought plan and its necessary components, as formally authorized last year by Gov. Keating
through creation of the Drought Management Team, will undoubtedly help alleviate impacts of
both current and future drought episodes in Oklahoma.
Authorization, Purpose & General Structure
of the Oklahoma Drought Management Team
From a statewide perspective, the Oklahoma drought of 1995-96 was one of the most
severe on record. Six-plus months of below average precipitation caused the situation to reach
near critical proportions. While state agencies and organizations responded appropriately, within
their respective jurisdictional capacities, to the numerous drought impacts inflicting Oklahoma, it
became apparent that there was substantial room for improvement in the state’s ability to mitigate
drought episodes.
In August 1996, Governor Keating signed Executive Order 96-24 creating the Oklahoma
Drought Management Team, a group of agencies and organizations charged with developing a
coordinated, long-term plan to deal with current and future drought problems in the state. Tom
Feuerborn, Director of the State Department of Emergency Management, was appointed by the
Governor to coordinate the effort. Members include representatives of appropriate state agencies
and organizations. Providing various assistance to the Team are representatives of relevant
federal agencies. The Governor’s swift authorization for development of the Drought Team and
subsequent creation of this state drought plan should provide valuable and measurable results
upon its implementation in future years.
According to Executive Order 96-24 (Appendix), the Oklahoma Drought Management
Team will:
C Provide an organizational structure that assures information flow and defines the
duties and responsibilities of all agencies during time of drought-related
emergencies.
C Provide the probable impacts associated with periods of water shortage on the
primary economic and environmental sectors of the state.
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C Develop and recommend state drought response, recovery and mitigation
initiatives for conditions determined to be detrimental to the state economy and
public health.
C Identify drought management areas [areas of concern or impacted regions] in the
state.
C Provide coordination and communication among federal, state and local entities as
deemed appropriate for drought assistance programs, education and information.
C Perform such other drought-related assessments and response functions as deemed
necessary.
Development of the Oklahoma Drought Contingency Plan
During the first formal meeting of the Oklahoma Drought Management Team in
September 1996, members agreed to formation of two committees to coordinate future state
drought response activities. The Water Availability and Outlook Committee was charged with
developing and maintaining a systematic and efficient mechanism to monitor the approach and
onset of drought events, primarily from a hydrologic and weather-related point of view. The
Impact Assessment and Response Committee was charged with the continuous oversight of
drought impacts upon various economic, environmental and social sectors in the state as well as
the policy-related aspects of drought response.
Subsequent meetings of the two committees initially focused on the current drought-related
capabilities of respective members. Individually, WAOC meetings were primarily
dominated by discussion related to the development of a drought index or indices to trigger
specific government drought response actions or activities; IARC members sought to identify the
primary impacted sectors in Oklahoma so that monitoring and response efforts can be focused on
these areas before, during and after drought episodes. Members of both committees stressed that
the drought plan must be a dynamic “living” document that easily adapts to varying political
conditions and multiple approaches to state drought response.
According to “Planning for Drought: A Process for State Government,” a drought plan
should have three primary components: monitoring, assessment of impact and response. Specific
objectives of a drought plan, as suggested in the document and subsequently utilized by the
Drought Management Team during formulation of the Oklahoma plan, include:
C Provide timely and systematic data collection, analysis and dissemination of
drought-related information.
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C Establish proper criteria to identify and designate drought-affected areas of the
state and to trigger the phasing-in and -out of various assessment and response
activities by government agencies during drought emergencies.
C Provide an organizational structure that assures information flow between and
within levels of government and defines the duties and responsibilities of all
agencies with respect to drought; also, ensure adequate coordination between the
federal and state governments through integration with any applicable national
drought policies.
C Maintain a current inventory of state and federal programs used in assessing and
responding to drought emergencies and provide a set of appropriate action
recommendations.
C Provide a mechanism to improve the timely and accurate assessment of drought
impact on agriculture, industry, municipalities, wildlife and health of the natural
resource base.
C Provide accurate and timely information to the media to keep the public informed
of current conditions.
C Establish and pursue a strategy to remove obstacles to the equitable allocation of
water during shortages and to provide incentives to encourage water conservation.
C Establish a set of procedures to evaluate and revise the plan on a continuous basis
in order to keep the plan responsive to state needs.
Finally, the Oklahoma Drought Contingency Plan was developed utilizing the varied
drought planning and response experiences of other U.S. states. Following this research and
significant formal and informal discussion between Team members, especially the WAOC, it was
decided that Oklahoma’s drought response effort should follow a phased approach as water
conditions deteriorate and more stringent actions are required (i.e., “advisory - alert - warning -
emergency”). As a result, thresholds were established such that, when exceeded, certain
predefined actions will be triggered within appropriate agencies and organizations. The Team
determined that Oklahoma’s plan should use a combination of indices (including the Palmer
Drought Severity Index, Crop Moisture Index, Reclamation Drought Index and Keetch-Byram
Fire Danger Index) and related factors (major and minor reservoir storage, water well levels,
public water supply and facility conditions, major streamflows, daily and extended temperature
and precipitation forecasts, relevant crop planting and harvesting considerations, and current and
projected economic impacts) to trigger specific and timely drought actions by government. In
Pennsylvania, similar criteria (precipitation, groundwater levels, reservoir storage, streamflow and
the Palmer Index) are used to trigger the Delaware River Basin plan.
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Primary Drought Impacts and Areas of Concern
Drought impacts Oklahoma in a number of ways, spanning all regions of the state and
many sectors of its society, economy and environment. In general, they include:
C reduced crop, rangeland, and forest productivity;
C increased livestock and wildlife mortality rates;
C reduced income for farmers and agribusiness;
C increased fire hazard;
C reduced water supplies for municipal/industrial, agricultural and power uses;
C damage to fish and wildlife habitat;
C increased consumer prices for food and timber;
C reduced tourism and recreational activities;
C unemployment;
C reduced tax revenues because of reduced expenditures; and
C foreclosures on bank loans to farmers and businesses.
While drought impacts in Oklahoma are numerous and far-reaching -- and are often so
dependent upon the timing and length of individual drought episodes -- the greatest impacts of
drought are usually experienced in the agricultural community. In addition to the obvious direct
losses of both crop and livestock production due to a lack of surface and subsurface water,
drought is frequently associated with increases in insect infestations, plant disease, and wind
erosion.
Perhaps the most vulnerable agricultural commodity in the state is wheat, Oklahoma’s
second largest cash crop ($500 million in annual cash receipts). Because drought conditions
persisted in all major wheat-producing counties of Oklahoma (primarily in the west) from October
1995, when wheat was planted, through much of the spring of 1996, the 1996 wheat crop was
barely one-half the normal (160 million bushels) and the smallest in 25 years.
In those areas with little or no wheat to harvest and with cattle prices at their lowest in 20
years, bankruptcies and foreclosures increased substantially. At the height of last years drought,
the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture predicted that about 10 percent of producers in
Oklahoma would go bankrupt or quit farming and, despite the availability of federal drought
assistance funds, losses due to the drought would cost the state between $1 and $1.2 billion
(although mid-summer rains lessened the anticipated impact to the state’s overall agricultural
economy). Wheat producers were also impacted by a significant reduction in wheat pasture and a
resulting increase in hay expenses. Normally, about 50 percent of the acres planted in wheat are
grazed; last year, the state averaged only about 17 percent, or 2.3 million acres not grazed.
The ripple effect of reduced farming income also extends to retailers and others who
provide goods and services to farmers, leading to unemployment, increased credit risk for
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financial institutions, capital shortfalls and loss of tax revenue for local, state, and federal
government.
Soil/wind erosion resulting from drought also plague state farmers and ranchers,
destroying crops and vegetative cover. The 1995-96 drought damaged some 700,000 acres in
Oklahoma’s 30 western counties, compared to just 42,000 acres the previous year.
Drought-induced wildfires and forest fires, the first prevalent impact of last year’s
prolonged moisture deficiency, typically result in significant economic losses through widespread
destruction of grazing pastures, range land, woodlands and forests in Oklahoma. Last year, the
loss of grazing pastures and range land along (420,000 acres) was estimated at $10 million. In
addition, at least 2,000 miles of fence were burned, causing an estimated $6 million in damage.
Another $3.2 million was estimated for lost hay, corrals and other farm structures not covered by
insurance. Forest and woodland fires burned some 280,000 acres during the drought period,
causing an estimated $122 million in damages. During a three-month period, wildfire suppression
costs were estimated at $6.5 million, including $2.5 million for labor and equipment. Droughts
also bring increased problems with insects and diseases to forests, further retarding the economic
value of that commodity and reducing valuable wildlife habitat.
Of course, one of the most significant potential impacts of drought in Oklahoma relates to
public water supply. Because approximately 75 percent of that water is derived from Oklahoma��s
major federal reservoirs and their smaller municipal lake counterparts, significantly reduced flow
in rivers and streams can have a significant effect on municipal use for drinking and domestic
purposes in and around the home. Hot weather during the summer increases demand and
subsequent use of supplies, as well as evaporation. In turn, increased water demand can stress
many smaller and/or antiquated delivery and treatment facilities to the point of collapse.
Generally, storage in relatively large reservoirs, such as those constructed and/or operated
by the Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Reclamation, is impacted by drought when the duration
of the drought episode is sufficiently long to where more water is lost from the impoundment
(through releases, pumping or evaporation) than flows into the lake. In Oklahoma, the flows of
most large rivers are regulated by these reservoirs and, if sufficient storage exists in them,
operators can adjust releases to meet the water requirements of downstream users. Drought,
especially prolonged drought, has a much greater impact upon smaller municipal lakes, which
usually rely on relatively small watersheds and thus experience significant fluctuations during dry
and/or hot months. Rural communities are especially vulnerable during such periods.
Groundwater supplies are the last water resource to be significantly affected by a
particular drought episode. However, extended drought can lead to hardship by cities, farms and
other users who are reliant upon aquifers for groundwater supply.
Drought also impacts the state’s recreation and tourism industry. Prices for food, energy,
and other products increase as supplies are reduced. Reduced water supply may impair
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navigability of the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System, resulting in increased
transportation costs because products must be transported by rail, truck or other more expensive
alternatives. Hydropower production may also be significantly curtailed.
Environmental impacts of drought, in addition to those related to impacts discussed
previously (i.e., forest/range fires and soil erosion), include direct damage to plant and animal
species, loss of wildlife habitat (wetlands, lakes, and vegetation) and biodiversity, and reduced air
an water quality (i.e., through reduced flows). Social impacts typically involve public safety,
health, conflicts between water users, reduced quality of life, and inequities in the distribution of
impacts and disaster relief.
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STATE DROUGHT ACTION PLAN
General Response Mechanism
Drought response, like response to other natural disasters and emergencies, normally
progresses from the individual to the closest level of government -- i.e., from local to state and,
ultimately, to the federal government level. Typically, only when the response capability of each
level has been exhausted or exceeded should the next level of response be pursued. During
drought emergencies, parallel lines of communication are established between individuals and
local governmental and other drought response entities through:
C county and state U.S. Department of Agriculture emergency boards to the USDA;
C state agencies and their district, local or field offices; and
C local emergency management organizations and the State Department of
Emergency Management.
The first two lines of communication may be the value in obtaining drought situation or
drought impact information or for serving as alternatives to the primary emergency services
channel. The third line of communication will normally act as the primary emergency request
channel.
Lateral assistance and exchange of information occurs at the individual/city/district, county
and/or state level. At the state level, emergency information and response is normally coordinated
by the Governor through the State Department of Emergency Management. However, in a
drought, because of its slowly occurring nature, the coordinating functions are shared by the
newly-formed Oklahoma Drought Management Team.
The mechanism through which the Drought Management Team and Oklahoma Drought
Action Plan serves the state before, during and after drought episodes is described in this section.
Also included is a description of the overall drought-related programs and responsibilities of
Oklahoma’s local, state and federal organizations.
Tasks & Responsibilities of the
Oklahoma Drought Management Team
State Drought Coordinator
According to Gov. Keating’s Executive Order 96-24, the post of State Drought
Coordinator (leader of the Oklahoma Drought Management Team) is assumed by the director of
the State Department of Emergency Management. The Drought Coordinator, through
information and recommendations provided by the Water Availability and Outlook Committee
(WAOC), Impact Assessment and Response Committee (IARC) and Interagency Coordinating
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Committee (ICC), makes the official determination in activating a specified drought state
(Advisory, Alert, Warning or Emergency; delineated in Table 1) in a particular climate division, or
region (Figure 1). During drought episodes, the Drought Coordinator will brief the Governor on
the situation and, if warranted, request specific actions requiring authorization of the state’s
executive branch of government. The Drought Coordinator may request the convening of the
Drought Team or any of its three committees as often as necessary. He may also request
individual meetings with the chairmen or individual members of those committees to discuss
specific aspects of the state’s drought planning and response activities. A sub-group of the
WAOC, consisting of (at a minimum) 7 representatives of the OWRB, Department of Agriculture
and Oklahoma Climatological Survey, will keep the D.C. continuously apprized of water/moisture
contingency conditions before and after drought episodes.
During “normal” conditions in all regions, the Drought Coordinator will review available
information for deteriorating moisture conditions and the likelihood for drought emergence.
During the “Advisory” Phase (in any climate division), he will request informal assistance and
advice from individual weather, climate and water resource representatives of the Drought Team.
Once it is determined that at least one climate division of the state is in a drought “Alert” Phase,
the Drought Coordinator will immediately activate the WAOC. At the onset of the “Warning”
Phase, he will meet chairpersons of the WAOC and newly-activated IARC to outline Warning
stage activities. He will also forward reports prepared by and in conjunction with those
committees to the Governor, other appropriate state leaders, media and public.
During the “Emergency” Phase, the most severe drought stage, the Drought
Coordinator’s main function is to direct and coordinate activities of the Interagency Coordinating
Committee, especially as contact for securement of required federal assistance. The ICC is a
smaller, centralized group of WAOC and IARC representatives which assumes the overall
drought response role during the Emergency Phase. During this stage, the Drought Coordinator
will consider a request to the Governor that the state pursue formal drought mitigation assistance
(such as general fund reallocation or federal assistance) or other extraordinary powers and/or
options allowed through a state of emergency declaration, if it is proclaimed. As the drought
recedes back through the various drought phases, the Drought Coordinator will continue
appropriate coordination of potential assistance and other state drought contingency planning
activities.
The Drought Coordinator will apportion membership of the Oklahoma Drought
Management Team among its three working groups -- the WAOC, IARC and ICC. The Drought
Team and its various committee will include, but not be limited to, representatives of the
following state entities:
C Oklahoma Water Resources Board (chair, Water Availability and Outlook
Committee)
C Department of Agriculture (chair, Impact Assessment and Response Committee)
C Department of Emergency Management
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C Oklahoma Climatological Survey
C Forestry Services (Department of Agriculture)
C Agricultural Statistics Service
C Department of Wildlife Conservation
C Department of Environmental Quality
C Oklahoma Conservation Commission
C Oklahoma State Department of Health
C Oklahoma State University (Extension Service)
C Oklahoma Municipal League
C Oklahoma Rural Water Association
C Association of County Commissioners of Oklahoma
In addition, through informal standing agreements with the federal government, the
Oklahoma Drought Management Team will also call upon the drought-related services of the
following federal agencies:
C U.S. Geological Survey
C U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Tulsa District)
C National Weather Service
C Natural Resources Conservation Service
C Bureau of Reclamation
C U.S. Department of Agriculture
Water Availability & Outlook Committee
The Water Availability and Outlook Committee (WAOC), chaired by the Oklahoma Water
Resources Board, will monitor current water availability and moisture conditions and provide
estimates of near-future water supply for agriculture, municipal, industrial and power uses. To
effectively accomplish this task, the WAOC has been established as a permanent working group
whose primary responsibility is continual development and evolution of a monitoring system to
phase in and out various levels of state drought response. This system will utilize current
precipitation and temperature data and forecasts; soil moisture data; streamflow and water well
measurement information; reservoir storage levels; public water supply and facility conditions;
crop planting and harvesting considerations; current ad projected impacts to the state’s most
important and vulnerable economic sectors (as determined by the IARC); and various drought-related
indices (including the Crop Moisture Index, Keetch-Byram Fire Danger Index, Palmer
Drought Severity Index and Reclamation Drought Index).
The WAOC will correspond via teleconference, E-Mail or other informal communications
each month throughout the year to keep abreast of water and moisture-related conditions and/or
problems. The primary form of delivery for this information and data, especially to the media and
public, will be the Oklahoma Water Resources Bulletin, issued through the Oklahoma Water
Resources Board. The Bulletin -- which was initiated during the drought of 1995-96 to keep the
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Governor’s Office, media, State Legislature and other state and federal agencies apprized of
water- and weather-related conditions -- utilizes data collected from the Oklahoma Climatological
Survey, National Drought Mitigation Center, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers (Tulsa District), National Weather Service, River Forecasting Center, Oklahoma
Department of Environmental Quality, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Oklahoma
Agricultural Statistics Service and other sources. Its is published seasonally (during winter) or
monthly during normal conditions in all climate divisions, every two weeks during Advisory or
Alert Phases and every week during Warning or Emergency Phases, as determined by the Drought
Coordinator and Drought Management Team. In addition, a WAOC sub-group, consisting of (at
a minimum) 7 representatives of the OWRB, Department of Agriculture and Oklahoma
Climatological Survey, will keep the D.C. apprized of conditions before and after state drought
episodes.
The WAOC will hold informal meetings each month throughout the year to keep abreast
of water- and moisture-related conditions and/or problems. Each spring, the WAOC will conduct
an evaluation of the status or outlook prior to the summer/peak water demand months. During
the Alert Phase, the WAOC will convene regular formal meetings (at least monthly) to assess
drought trends sand projections. During the Warning Phase, the WAOC will prepare for the
Governor’s signature the”Memorandum of Potential Drought Emergency,” which activates the
IARC.
Following each meeting of the WAOC, a report of state drought-related conditions will be
submitted to the Drought Coordinator and other Drought Team members; relevant information
will also be disseminated to the media.
Impact Assessment & Response Committee (IARC)
The Impact Assessment and Response Committee (IARC), which is activated by the
Governor upon recommendation of the State Drought Coordinator and WAOC members during
the Warning Phase, is chaired by the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture. Its primary duty is to
monitor and assess the current and potential impacts of impending or ongoing drought upon the
state’s economy, environment and natural resources. It is also the IARC’s responsibility to
initiate any and all appropriate drought response within the capabilities of Drought Management
Team members. The IARC will also assess and identify specific unmet needs that cannot be
addressed through existing state channels. An ongoing task of the IARC is defining drought
impacts -- including identification of economic, social and environmental sectors most vulnerable
to drought and/or most impacted by drought -- and refining the state’s ability to respond to those
impacts.
During the Emergency Phase, the IARC will prepare for the Governor’s signature the
state “Drought Emergency Proclamation,” which activates the Interagency Coordinating
Committee. At this point, the IARC transfers the new extended drought response and
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coordination role of the Drought Management Team to the ICC. The IARC continues the
drought impact and monitoring duties it initiated during the Warning Phase.
Following each meeting of the IARC, held as often as needed, the group will submit a
report of the state’s current drought impact situation and associated recommendations to the
Drought Coordinator and other Drought Team members.
Interagency Coordinating Committee (ICC)
The Interagency Coordinating Committee (ICC) is the third and final group formed by the
Drought Management Team to directly respond to drought in the state. The ICC, a team selected
and chaired by the State Drought Coordinator, consists of the senior managers of lead drought
response agencies in state government, many of which may already be members of either the
WAOC and/or IARC. The ICC is activated by the Governor’s Drought Emergency Proclamation,
upon recommendation of the IARC at the onset of the Emergency Phase, and assumes the state’s
lead drought response role as it relates to intergovernmental (state and federal) coordination and
media relations throughout that phase.
The primary responsibility of the ICC is to determine which drought-related needs of the
state can be met by reallocation of existing resources. The group will then make appropriate
recommendations, such as requests for funding and/or legislation, to the Drought Coordinator and
Governor. Upon the Governor’s decision to request proclamation of a presidential
drought/disaster declaration, the ICC will assemble all required supporting data to facilitate the
request. As the drought recedes and conditions improve to the point where the event is no longer
a legitimate threat to the overall economy and welfare of Oklahoma, the ICC prepares for the
Governor’s signature the “End to the Drought Emergency Proclamation”. The group then
prepares a final report of its emergency Phase activities and disbands.
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Table 1 Sequence of State Drought Response Actions
DROUGHT RESPONSE STATE DROUGHT WATER AVAILABILITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT INTERAGENCY
STAGE COORDINATOR & OUTLOOK & RESPONSE COORDINATING
COMMITTEE (WAOC) COMMITTEE (IARC) COMMITTEE (ICC)
NORMAL Review available information Stand-down drought Stand-down drought
NORMAL CONDITIONS (provided monthly during monitoring/reporting activities monitoring/reporting
(ALL CLIMATE DIVISIONS) normal conditions) for (publish OK Water Resources activities.
deteriorating Bulletin on a seasonal basis)
conditions/drought emergence
I - ADVISORY Request assistance from Stand-down drought Stand-down drought
APPROACHING OR individual weather/climate monitoring/reporting activities monitoring/reporting activities
EXPERIENCING representatives and other (publish OK Water Resources
INCIPIENT DROUGHT relevant members of WAOC Bulletin on a bi-weekly basis).
(ONE OR MORE CLIMATE
DIVISIONS)
in evaluating drought trends.
II -- ALERT Activate Water Availability Monitor trends and provide Stand-down drought
MILD DROUGHT and Outlook Committee relevant information on monitoring/reporting
(ONE OR MORE CLIMATE drought status to Drought activities.
DIVISIONS) Coordinator, the public and
media.
Publish OK Water Resources
Bulletin on a bi-weekly basis.
III -- WARNING Meet with WAOC/IARC Prepare for Governor’s Assess current and potential
MODERATE DROUGHT chairpersons to outline signature “Memorandum of impacts on the state’s
(ONE OR MORE CLIMATE Warning stage activities. Potential Drought economy, environment and
DIVISIONS) Emergency,” activating natural resources.
Forward reports on drought Impact Assessment and
status and related activities to response Committee. Initiate appropriate response
Governor, other state leaders, within capabilities of
media and public. Publish OK Water Resources participating state agencies;
Bulletin on a weekly basis. determine unmet needs that
cannot be handled through
normal state channels
Table 1 Sequence of State Drought Response Actions
DROUGHT RESPONSE STATE DROUGHT WATER AVAILABILITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT INTERAGENCY
STAGE COORDINATOR & OUTLOOK & RESPONSE COORDINATING
COMMITTEE (WAOC) COMMITTEE (IARC) COMMITTEE (ICC)
15
IV -- EMERGENCY Direct ICC activities. Continue monitoring, Prepare for Governor’s Assume response role
SEVERE TO EXTREME assessment, response and signature “Drought (intergovernmental
DROUGHT Consider request to Governor reporting activities. Emergency Proclamation,” coordination and media
(ONE OR MORE CLIMATE for drought mitigation activating the Interagency relations).
DIVISIONS) assistance (such as general Publish OK Water Resources Coordinating Committee,
AND/OR fund reallocation or federal Bulletin on a weekly basis. consisting of senior managers Determine which needs can be
WHEN IARC DETERMINES assistance) or other of lead drought response state met by reallocation of existing
THERE ARE SIGNIFICANT extraordinary powers/options agencies and chaired by resources; forward
NEEDS THAT CANNOT BE allowed under state of Drought Coordinator. recommendations (including
MET BY EXISTING STATE emergency declaration and/or requests for funding and
RESOURCES recommended by ICC. Continue monitoring, legislation) to Governor.
assessment, response and
reporting activities. Assemble data necessary to
support Governor’s request
for a presidential
disaster/drought declaration
which establishes Drought
Coordinator as contact to
secure needed federal
assistance.
IV -- EMERGENCY Continue pursuit of potential Continue monitoring, Continue monitoring, Prepare for Governor’s
(DROUGHT RECEDING) drought mitigation assistance assessment, response and assessment, response and signature “End to the Drought
CONDITIONS IMPROVING and general coordination of reporting activities (publish reporting activities. Emergency Proclamation.”
(ICC DETERMINES THAT state drought contingency OK Water Resources Bulletin
ALL REQUIREMENTS FOR planing activities. on a weekly basis). Prepare final report and
ASSISTANCE ARE NOW terminate activity.
BEING MET)
III -- WARNING Continue general coordination Continue monitoring, Re-assume drought
(DROUGHT RECEDING) of state drought contingency assessment, response and response/coordination role.
CONDITIONS IMPROVING planning activities. reporting activities (publish
OK Water Resources Bulletin
on a bi-weekly basis).
Table 1 Sequence of State Drought Response Actions
DROUGHT RESPONSE STATE DROUGHT WATER AVAILABILITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT INTERAGENCY
STAGE COORDINATOR & OUTLOOK & RESPONSE COORDINATING
COMMITTEE (WAOC) COMMITTEE (IARC) COMMITTEE (ICC)
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II -- ALERT Continue general coordination Continue monitoring, Terminate formal drought
(DROUGHT RECEDING) of state drought contingency assessment, response and contingency planning
CONDITIONS IMPROVING planning activities. reporting activities (publish activities.
OK Water Resources Bulletin
on a bi-weekly basis). Stand-down drought
monitoring/reporting
activities.
I -- ADVISORY Solicit assistance from Terminate formal drought Stand-down drought
(DROUGHT RECEDING) individual weather/climate contingency planning monitoring/reporting
CONDITIONS IMPROVING representatives and relevant activities. activities.
members of WAOC in
evaluating drought trends. Stand-down drought
monitoring/reporting activities
(publish OK Water Resources
Bulletin on a monthly basis)
NORMAL Review available information Stand-down drought Stand-down drought
RETURN TO NORMAL (provided monthly) for monitoring/reporting activities monitoring/reporting
CONDITIONS deteriorating (publish OK Water Resources activities.
(ALL CLIMATE DIVISIONS) conditions/drought Bulletin on a seasonal basis)
emergence.
THE DROUGHT TEAM - IN PARTICULAR, THE WAOC -- UTILIZE THE FOLLOWING INDICES AND FACTORS (AMONG OTHERS) TO DETERMINE
PROGRESSIVE DROUGHT STAGES AND AUTHORIZE SPECIFIC STATE RESPONSE TO INDIVIDUAL DROUGHT EPISODES.
PRECIPITATION PALMER DROUGHT SEVERITY INDEX CROP MOISTURE INDEX
RECLAMATION DROUGHT INDEX KEETCH-BYRAM DROUGHT INDEX MAJOR AND MINOR
WATER WELL LEVELS PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY AND FACILITY CONDITIONS RESERVOIR STORAGE
DAILY/EXTENDED TEMPERATURE & PRECIPITATION CROP PLANTING & HARVESTING CONSIDERATIONS MAJOR STREAMFLOWS
FORECASTS CURRENT AND PROJECTED
STANDARDIZED PRECIPITATION INDEX ECONOMIC IMPACTS
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Drought Response Indices, Indicators and Related Considerations
Utilized by the Oklahoma Drought Management Team
Many U.S. states utilize a wide variety of drought indices and related indicators to
determine the approach, onset, severity and cessation of drought episodes. Many are very simple,
such as reservoir storage or elevation; others are based upon multiple parameters, such as
precipitation, temperature and soil moisture. From a drought planning perspective, the ultimate
purpose of a drought index is to trigger stages of appropriate and pre-determined responses which
will facilitate more immediate and effective reaction to drought situations.
The Oklahoma Drought Management Team will utilize a number of indices and factors to
determine progressive drought stages in Oklahoma and authorize specific state response to
individual drought episodes. These tools -- which have been selected for consideration by the
Drought Team due to their known ability or promise to measure the current and/or projected
magnitude of drought events, as well as their ease in use or rapid availability to Team an
committee members -- are briefly described in this section.
Crop Moisture Index
The Crop Moisture Index uses a meteorological approach to monitor crop conditions from
week to week. Unlike the Palmer Drought Severity Index, which monitors long-term wet and dry
spells, the CMI is designed to evaluate short-term moisture conditions in major crop-producing
regions, such as Oklahoma. It is calculated utilizing mean temperature and total precipitation
data, as well as previous CMI values, for each week within a climate division. Because it is
designed to monitor short-term conditions impacting a developing crop, it is not a good long-term
drought monitoring tool and cannot be used to monitor moisture conditions outside the general
growing season.
In addition to the CMI, the Drought Team will consider associated crop planting and
harvesting factors and related information in recommending state drought response options.
Keetch-Byram Drought Index
The Keetch-Byram Drought Index, is utilized by Oklahoma Forestry Services to trigger
the Governor’s burning ban during dry seasons in the state to monitor fire danger and severity. It
is a soil/duff (fire fuel) index that ranges from 0 (no drought) to 800 (severe drought) and is based
upon a soil capacity of 8 inches of water. Factors utilized by Keetch-Byram Drought Index
include maximum daily temperature, daily precipitation, antecedent precipitation and annual
precipitation.
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Major/Minor Reservoir Storage and Public Water Supply
Hundreds of Oklahoma’s cities, towns and rural citizens rely on the state’s major
reservoirs for water supply, irrigation and numerous other purposes which are commonly
impacted by severe drought episodes. Information on major reservoir storage in Oklahoma is
available primarily from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers which provide daily updates of lake
levels. In some cases, this data may be obtained from local operators.
During water shortages and drought situations, the Oklahoma Department of
Environmental Quality issues regular reports on the condition of smaller municipal water supply
lakes and related facilities throughout the state which are experiencing drought-related problems.
These reports will be of significant value to the Oklahoma Drought Management Team in
determining various drought stages and response actions. In addition, estimates of the condition
of Oklahoma’s numerous farm ponds, often the first water sources to be seriously impacted by
drought, is available from the Agricultural Statistics Service, of the Oklahoma Department of
Agriculture, through local extension agents.
Palmer Drought Severity Index
Used by forestry in combination with fire occurrence data, currently forecasted weather
condition and personal contacts to trigger the Governor’s burning ban. One of the most widely
used indices to ascertain and evaluate water supply and moisture shortages is the Palmer Drought
Severity Index (PDSI). The PDSI uses precipitation, air temperature, soil moisture,
evapotranspiration and pervious indices to generate a positive or negative number, with a value of
0 being normal, -4 and below an extremely dry condition, and 4 and above an extremely wet
condition. The PDSI is most effective in measuring impacts sensitive to soil moisture conditions,
such as agriculture. The PDSI is used by many states in triggering the start or end of drought
contingency plans, but has been criticized for responding too quickly to weather changes and not
providing a sufficient or timely indication of a trend toward drought, leading to its use by many as
a retrospective (rather than operational) indicator. In addition, it has less use in irrigated areas of
Oklahoma because it does not account for water supplies other than precipitation and soil
moisture.
Precipitation
While indices can be a valuable tool in triggering a drought response system with at least a
moderate degree of subjectivity, they should not be blindly accepted. As a result, members of the
Oklahoma Drought Management Team utilize their collective knowledge and experience, along
with a number of indices and factors, to determine progressive drought stages and authorize
specific state response to individual drought episodes.
The percent of normal precipitation is one of the simplest an most useful indicators of
drought. It may be calculated over a variety of time periods -- for a single month, a growing
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season, or an annual or water year. Forecasts of precipitation, as well as temperature, may also
be valuable drought monitoring tools.
Reclamation Drought Index
As part of a cooperative effort between the OWRB and Bureau to formulate a model
drought plan for use in Oklahoma, the OWRB asked the Bureau to develop a drought index
specifically tailored to the state, that would help identify the onset, severity, duration and end of
drought episodes in the state. In response to this request, the bureau adapted its existing
Reclamation Drought Index (RDI) to two “test” regions in Oklahoma -- the Southwest and South
Central climatic districts.
The RDI was designed to be flexible so that it could accommodate the particular
hydrologic and meteorologic conditions of the 17 western states. The RDI was derived from the
critical examination of theories, procedures and components involved in the calculation of several
existing drought indices. The RDI is a function of supply (including such components as
precipitation, streamflow, reservoir storage and groundwater), demand (focusing on temperature
due to its cause and effect relationship with water consumption) and duration (allowing individual
months, such as those that overlap the growing season, to be “weighted” according to their
importance to supply/demand factors).
Because this index contains factors that accurately reflect existing or potential shortages of
state water supplies and related agricultural considerations, the RDI could be of significant value
to both natural resource and economic planning efforts in Oklahoma.
Standardized Precipitation Index
The Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) quantifies precipitation deficits for multiple
time scales (3-, 6-, 12-, 24- and 48-month periods) and reflect the impact of drought on the
availability of water from a variety of sources (i.e., groundwater, reservoir storage, soil moisture,
streamflow and snowpack). SPI drought values, between 0 and -2, define the duration and
intensity of considerable promise but, although it has been recently used to monitor drought
conditions in Colorado, it has yet to be widely applied or tested.
Streamflows
The U.S. Geological Survey, Oklahoma Water Resources Board and local entities
throughout the state fund and maintain a substantial network of stream gages which provide
measurements of flow in Oklahoma’s rivers and streams and could be of value in monitoring the
onset of drought and predicting its near-future impact. During the 1995-96 drought, the OWRB
and USGS selected six gages from this network to obtain a fairly representative impact of drought
upon state streamflows. Daily discharges were compared with average discharges over the period
of record, beginning October 1, 1995, the approximate beginning of the drought. The streams
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included in the network were selected because they were generally unregulated by upstream
reservoirs in Oklahoma and thus more accurately reflected streamflow conditions.
Water Well Levels
The Oklahoma Water Resources Board maintains a network of more than 700 water wells
throughout the state that could be of use in monitoring long-term drought impacts. Data
provided through the OWRB’s annual well measurement program, historical records and related
groundwater information available from the U.S. Geological Survey, will be of value in
determining long-term trends as well as in keeping abreast of localized groundwater supply
problems as they occur.
Other Drought Monitoring and Assessment Tools
Other tools that could be useful to the Drought Management Team in analyzing droughts
are computer models of river and reservoir systems. These software packages can be used to
quickly access numerous operating and forecasted inflow scenarios, given known initial conditions
(reservoir contents, etc.). Hydrologic and reservoir simulation models are commonly used by the
Bureau of Reclamation an Corps of Engineers. In addition, the State Departments of Commerce
and Agriculture and other agencies can provide various current and projected economic impacts
of drought in Oklahoma.
Local, State & Federal
Drought-Related Capabilities
Local Programs and Responsibilities
County Governments
Counties, through their emergency management organizations, are typically the first line of
organized emergency response, including securement of emergency water supplies for cities,
water districts and individual users. When water supplies are insufficient to meet human and
livestock needs, the affected parties may request assistance from the local emergency management
organization. Local governments, in accordance with emergency operations plans and emergency
powers granted by Oklahoma Statute 63 (disaster relief programs to political subdivisions),
should then initiate and conduct emergency water supply operations to the full extent of their
capabilities. Where local resources are insufficient to cope with the situation, additional
emergency water supply assistance may be obtained from the state, in accordance with this plan.
If both state and local resources are inadequate to cope with the emergency, the Governor will
request additional assistance from the federal government.
The Governor, under the emergency powers granted by O.S. 63, will direct and control
distribution of water supplies under drought emergency conditions. The Director of the
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Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management is responsible for coordination of the
emergency water supply operations of state departments and agencies, and for coordination of
emergency water supply assistance from federal or private sources not otherwise addressed in
local emergency plans. Local governments requiring emergency water supply assistance from
state or major private resources may direct their requests to the ODEM at 1 (800) 800-2481.
Under provisions of this plan, departments and agencies of state government having the capability
of providing emergency water supply assistance will provide that assistance when directed by the
Governor or his authorized representative(s). Due to the limited availability off state water
transportation and distribution equipment, requests for State assistance may also be referred to
private industry or volunteer groups.
The following state agencies possess water transportation capabilities and are assigned
responsibility for transportation capabilities and are assigned responsibility for transportation of
emergency water supplies:
C Department of Agriculture;
C Department of Wildlife Conservation;
C Department of Agriculture/Forestry Division (non-potable; secondary role);
C Department of Transportation;
C Military Department; and
C Corporation Commission (liaison for commercial truck transport and railroad tank
car availability).
Emergency water storage is the responsibility of the requesting local government or
political subdivision; maximum use should be made of existing storage facilities. Again,
information regarding the availability of commercial water storage resources may be obtained
from the ODEM.
Treatment of emergency water supplies to ensure suitability for human consumption is the
responsibility of the requesting local government or political subdivisions. The Environmental
Health Division of the Health Department is responsible for certification of bottled water quality
for human consumption. Treatment of emergency water supplies to ensure suitability for
livestock use is the responsibility of the requesting livestock producer. The Department of
Agriculture provides assistance in certifying theat emergency water supplies are suitable for
livestock use.
Local governments or political subdivisions requesting emergency water supplies for
human use designate suitable arrival/distribution points where the requested water may be
delivered and provide security for water transportation equipment/water supply. The local water
resources department is responsible for designation of “water points” where emergency water
supplies may be obtained for further distribution to requesting local governments or political
subdivisions.
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Livestock producers should submit requests for emergency water supplies for livestock
use to the appropriate county emergency board and county emergency management organization.
Those organizations should then initiate an area-wide request for livestock water resources;
designate suitable delivery and distribution points where the requested water supply may be
delivered; and coordinate security for water transportation equipment and/or supply. Equitable
distribution of available livestock water supplies from delivery points to individual producers is
the responsibility of the county USDA emergency board with assistance from the county
emergency management organization. The local water resources department is responsible for
designation of water points where emergency supplies for livestock use may be obtained.
In addition to obtaining emergency water supplies, the county emergency management
organization may also respond to a wide range of drought-related emergencies, such as:
C receiving requests from cities, districts and individual water users for assistance in
obtaining, transporting or distributing emergency water supplies;
C providing emergency water services through use of county equipment or
resources; and
C obtaining equipment, supplies or services when not available from the county
through private individuals, commercial or industrial firms, or volunteer emergency
organizations; the state (through the Oklahoma Department of Emergency
Management); or the federal government (through the Oklahoma Department of
Emergency Management).
Counties, through their emergency management organization, should assess ongoing
drought conditions throughout the country. This assessment, which should focus on the water
supply situation, may be accomplished through contact with water users, district representatives
of state agencies and county USDA emergency boards. An analysis of the future impact of
drought upon water supplies and systems should be provided to the Oklahoma Department of
Environmental Quality, Water Resources Board, Corps of Engineers, Department of Emergency
Management or other relevant state and federal organizations. This drought impact analysis
should be updated frequently and provided to the ODEM and Drought Management Team to
enable them to better coordinate the application of available emergency resources to emergency
situations as they arise.
Efforts to obtain a county drought emergency declaration -- which provides the basis for
state executive branch requests to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Secretary of
Agriculture and other government agencies (such as the Corps of Engineers and Military
Department, etc.) -- are initiated by the county commissioners who request, by letter, that the
Governor declare a “drought emergency” in their county “due to severe and continuing drought”
conditions. This letter should also ask the Governor for some specific action, such as a Secretary
of Agriculture emergency request or support for voluntary conservation measures.
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Vital to this effort is a complete and accurate characterization of the county’s drought
situation. As a result, the County Commissioners should gather as much supporting data as
possible from a variety of sources, including county USDA Emergency Boards (through the Farm
Service Agency, Agricultural Extension Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service and
Rural Development), local emergency managers, municipal governments, irrigation district
managers, water districts, local chambers of commerce and area business leaders. State agency
sources include the Department of Emergency Management, Department of Environmental
Quality, Water Resources Board, Department of Commerce, Department of Agriculture and
Climatological Survey.
Copies of county drought emergency declaration requests should be forwarded to the
Drought Management Team and Department of Agriculture for recommendations and action.
Recommendations will be submitted to the Governor’s Office via the Water Availability and
Outlook Committee which will, in turn, recommend proposed actions to the Governor. If
approved, the Governor will issue a declaration of continuing severe drought conditions.
The process for a county disaster declaration from the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture is
initiated when county officials petition the governor’s office to forward their request for disaster
declaration to the Secretary of Agriculture for consideration. An initial part of this effort is a
request by the governor to the state and county Food and Agriculture Councils (FAC) to fill out a
Damage Assessment Report (DAR). The DAR provides a better understanding of the drought
disaster’s total impact to both the Office of the Governor and Secretary of Agriculture. The DAR
process is initiated by the state executive director (SED) of the Farm Service Agency (FSA) who
also serves as the USDA emergency representative of the state FAC. The SED then immediately
contacts the county emergency representative (the county executive director of the FAC) to begin
preparation of the DAR.
Once the DAR is obtained from the county, the state FAC will scrutinize the information,
then forward copies to the Offices of the Governor and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture (through
the FSA and Rural Development).
Individuals and Private Industry
Much of the state’s water supply is used by private individuals and firms who obtain water
from districts, cities or other private corporations. These individuals and firms also have perhaps
the greatest capability to provide emergency water supplies to other water users during drought
or other times of water shortage. Many state corporations and businesses possess equipment
and/or services which may be provided through lease, sale or other compensation, although they
may be partially or fully donated as a public service at the discretion of the individual firm. These
resources include:
C equipment, such as pipes, pumping plants, emergency generating systems, water
purification systems, and various sizes and types of emergency water containers;
24
C equipment or vehicles for transporting potable water supplies, including tank
trucks, tank trailers, and railroad tank cars; and
C specialized expertise or skills, including engineering design and construction, well
location and drilling, agricultural technical assistance and advice on availability of
various consumer services.
Normally, the responsibility for locating, obtaining and reimbursing private firms for this
equipment and/or services rests with the individual. However, local governing bodies, through
local emergency management organizations or the Governor’s authorized representative from the
Oklahoma Emergency Management Office, may obtain such services when a major public need is
involved. Individuals and firms should request assistance through their respective city, district or
local emergency management organization.
Irrigation Districts
The primary responsibility of the state’s irrigation districts is to provide irrigation water to
its members. During a drought, irrigation districts will first attempt to maximize use of available
supplies consistent with the current allocated water rights of individual members. In an
emergency, the governing body of a district may supply water to non-members and encourage or
enforce agricultural water conservation practices within the district. If emergency water is needed
by the district, it is the responsibility of these districts to request such water, through the local
watermaster’s office, on behalf of its members. Irrigation districts are encouraged to develop
drought plans, including procedures to be followed to alleviate future drought situations, and
forward these plans to the appropriate local emergency management organization and USDA
county emergency board.
Rural Fire Protection Departments
Oklahoma’s rural fire protection districts are responsible for providing fire protection for
members. Due to their primary responsibility related to fire protection, these organizations
possess equipment which, during a drought, can be utilized for transporting emergency water,
normally on the condition that the equipment is not kept from its primary function for a prolonged
period. Water transported in this manner may be used by citizens of the district or, in some cases,
may be made available for non-district emergency water needs. Normally, requests for this
assistance should be made available for non-district emergency water needs. Normally, requests
for this assistance should be made through the local emergency management organization. Rural
fire protection districts should also estimate the impact that a drought and associated decreases in
water available for fire suppression may have on its fire protection capabilities and provide this
information to the local USDA county emergency board.
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Rural Water Districts and Municipalities
Water districts and municipalities in Oklahoma provide water for domestic and municipal
use to members or residents. During a drought, assistance will generally consist of allocation of
existing water supplies in a manner that maximizes the benefit to all users. Cities and water
districts may encourage or enforce water conservation practices or restrict or curtail certain
“secondary” uses of water in an emergency. When available or anticipated water supplies are
inadequate, for cities and districts may seek various measures to augment existing supplies,
including condemnation of water sources of other water users (with just compensation). Cities
may provide and distribute emergency water supplies to their users through city fire service or
other available equipment.
The governing body of a city or water district may authorize provision of emergency
water to other cities or districts or to water users outside of the city or water district and may
charge those users for additional associated costs in providing such emergency water. Requests
for additional water rights required in connection with such assistance should be made through the
local watermaster’s office.
It is a primary responsibility of cities or water districts to request assistance in providing
emergency water on behalf of their residents or members. Such requests should be made through
the county emergency management organizations, except when the district lies within a city; in
those cases, requests should be submitted to or through that city’s emergency management office.
Cities or districts should develop contingency plans to address future supply problems and
provide that information to their county emergency management organization. Assistance with
water curtailment plans and water conservation practices may be obtained through the Oklahoma
Department of Environmental Quality and Water Resources Board.
USDA Emergency Boards (County)
Most counties in Oklahoma possess county U.S. Department of Agriculture emergency
boards (CEBs) which are responsible for the coordination of programs of the Farm Service
Agency, Extension Service, Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), and Rural
Development (RD); CEBs consist of representatives of those agencies. Representatives of local
government are usually invited to attend meetings of the boards. CEBs are responsible for
developing Natural Disaster Damage Assessment Reports, which provide estimates of agricultural
damages (including crop and livestock losses and damages to facilities and agriculture), and
reports on drought conditions which threaten to develop into significant disaster situations
(including estimates of anticipated agriculture impact). These reports are submitted to the State
Emergency Board.
County emergency boards also act as a liaison with county government and keep them
well-informed of ongoing activities. CEB Chairman also invite representatives of the county
governing body, its local emergency management staff and other appropriate local officials to
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CEB meetings. Requests for county board services or reports may be made by the Governor or
his authorized representative through the State USDA Emergency Board.
Volunteer Relief Organizations
Several volunteer relief organizations are active statewide in Oklahoma. There are also
numerous local relief organizations and service clubs which, though not normally “relief” oriented,
may be available to assist relief efforts. These organizations can provide a wide range of
assistance to individuals and families adversely affected by droughts including:
C personnel to distribute emergency drinking water supplies to the aged,
handicapped and others who may be unable to transport water from a distribution
point;
C mass feeding of drought victims when drought conditions prohibit or restrict
normal individual preparation and/or delivery of food;
C personnel to serve at distribution points of emergency water supplies;
C shelter of drought victims evacuated from drought-stricken areas; and
C referral service through which individuals seeking or in need of drought assistance,
such as emergency drinking water, can be referred to an appropriate governmental
agency.
Normally, such assistance may be requested through local emergency management
organizations or, at the state level, through the Oklahoma Department of Emergency
Management working in conjunction with Voluntary Agencies Active in Disasters, a volunteer
coordinating council (who would serve as the point of contact).
State Programs and Responsibilities
Many state agencies and organizations can supply assistance during drought episodes
through normal agency duties and programs. If major state agency involvement is anticipated, or
it appears that federal assistance could be warranted, the Governor will declare a state
“Emergency”. Such a declaration provides state agencies with more fiscal flexibility and sets the
stage for various federal disaster declarations, if required. Requests for state assistance may be
made directly to the appropriate state agency or, in an “Emergency”, through the Oklahoma
Department of Emergency Management.
The drought-related programs and activities of Oklahoma’s state agencies, including
assistance available during drought/disaster emergencies, are listed below.
Department of Agriculture
The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture works closely with the state’s agricultural
community in assessing and responding to associated drought impacts, including those involving
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forestry and wildfire problems. The agency may also assist the Oklahoma State University
Agricultural Extension Service in providing estimates of the impact of the drought upon
agriculture. The department’s Agricultural Statistics Service provides valuable regular data
particularly concerning the effects of drought upon Oklahoma’s farming and ranching industries,
including limited information on farm pond levels (primarily for livestock watering and potential
fire suppression purposes).
DOA also provides estimates of the impact of the drought on state forest lands; such
estimates may take into account the effect of the drought upon fire hazard and suppression. If
conditions warrant, the agency may develop and implement plans to limit forest land access. The
DOA will also work closely with the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management to obtain
federal agricultural-related assistance, if conditions are severe enough. The Department may also
provide information on the availability of equipment through the private sector (such as milk tank
trucks) which is capable of tank trucks, trailers or other vehicles capable of transporting or storing
emergency water supplies.
The DOA also chairs the Impact Assessment and Response Committee of the Oklahoma
Drought Management Team.
Department of Central Services
During emergencies, including severe drought episodes, the State Department of Central
Services can authorize state agencies to make purchases without following competitive bidding
procedures. The agency may also purchase emergency supplies or equipment on behalf of state
agencies and provide information on emergency water supply equipment available through the
private sector.
Climatological Survey
The Oklahoma Climatological Survey, under the direction of the University of Oklahoma,
is responsible for the accumulation and dissemination of climatological data collected throughout
the state and determines state policy regarding climate-related issues. The agency also serves as
the data collection and dissemination center for the Oklahoma Mesonetwork. Approximately
one-half of MESONET’s current network of more than 100 real-time weather recording stations
will soon be equipped with soil moisture measurement capabilities which will be of significant
value in monitoring drought conditions in Oklahoma.
The OCS also routinely provides historical rainfall data, responds to weather-related
media/public inquiries, and maintains an archive of precipitation and temperature data collected
statewide by the National Weather Service cooperative observer network. The agency also
maintains the Oklahoma Fire Danger Model.
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Department of Commerce
The Oklahoma Department of Commerce promotes economic development in the state
and administers federal funds for planning assistance to state agencies, substate planning districts
and local communities. The ODOC may provide, in conjunction with the Employment Security
Commission, estimates on the projected loss of jobs due to drought. In addition, during a
Presidential “Emergency” or “Major Disaster”, or an agricultural disaster, the Department can
provide information to business and industry on federal loan programs which may become
available. The agency also provides information to businesses and industries on water
conservation.
Conservation Commission
The Oklahoma Conservation Commission develops and administers programs to control
and prevent floodwater and sediment damage; reduce nonpoint source pollution; protect
wetlands; and generally promote the conservation, development and utilization of the state’s
renewable resources. The OCC is made up of 88 conservation districts spread throughout the
state which can provide feedback on drought conditions, as they occur. Also during drought
episodes, the agency monitors the water supply pool conditions of upstream flood control projects
under its jurisdiction.
Corporation Commission
The Oklahoma Corporation Commission regulates oil/gas activities in the state as well as
public utilities, transportation and transmission companies, motor carriers and pipeline safety. As
part of this charge, the OCC provides estimates of the impact of ongoing drought upon the
generation of electric power and advises the Governor on needed reductions in the allocation of
the state’s electric power which may be required due to insufficient generating capabilities. The
Corporation Commission may also provide information on the availability of private sector
equipment (such as tank trucks, railroad tank cars or other vehicles) which is capable of
transporting or storing emergency water supplies.
Department of Emergency Management
The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management implements and coordinates the
development of programs and plans to minimize the effects of disasters and emergency situations,
including drought, upon the citizens of Oklahoma. The ODEM coordinates estimates of drought
impact, handles requests from local governments and districts for emergency water assistance and
may coordinate direct emergency assistance from state agencies relative to emergency treatment,
pipelines and pumping of water. They also provide information on emergency water supply
equipment available through the private sector.
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The ODEM provides administrative and coordination services related to a federal major
disaster or emergency and advises the governor, in conjunction with other state agencies, of the
need for federal assistance or federal disaster declarations. Specifically, the agency advises the
Governor on the need for a Governor’s declaration of a state/regional (drought) emergency and
drafts the governor’s requests for Presidential “Emergency” or “Major Disaster” declarations.
The agency also provides assistance to state and local agencies on financial record-keeping during
emergency situations.
Department of Environmental Quality
The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality supervises the majority of the state’s
environmental protection and management programs. During drought episodes, DEQ will
monitor the situation and provide estimates of the impact of the drought upon water quality.
Through engineers in local DEQ offices, the agency maintains direct interaction with
public/community water systems. DEQ also issues regular water system/supply status reports
during drought episodes and maintains fact sheets and news releases on water conservation and
related programs.
Department of Health
The Oklahoma State Department of Health administers programs to promote health and
prevent disease in the state. Through the Department and its 69 county health facilities, OSDH
staff can provide lists of bottled water facilities to support public water supplies if inadequate
supplies occur, release medical warnings regarding the health effects associated with drought
conditions, and provide list of ice manufacturers when requested.
Military Department
The State Military Department can provide emergency water treatment and transportation
of that water through tank trucks, trailers or other vehicles capable of transporting or storing lost
or depleted supplies.
Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service
The Agriculture and Natural Resources branch of the OSU Cooperative Extension
Service, through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Emergency Board, prepares information on
agricultural drought management practices as well as agricultural and domestic water
conservation practices. Such information may be supplied to drought victims through various
sources, including the news media. The Extension Service also may provide, through the USDA
Emergency Board and in conjunction with the US Department of Agriculture, estimates of
drought impact on state agriculture as well as information on federal assistance available to
Oklahoma’s agricultural drought victims.
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Department of Tourism and Recreation
The Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation promotes tourism and recreation in
the state and develops, operates and maintains state parks recreation areas and lodges. The
Department may provide valuable information on the economic an social impacts of drought,
including the effects of state-mandated burning bans, on these facilities.
USDA Emergency Board (State)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has established a State USDA Emergency Board in
Oklahoma to coordinate the disaster activities and programs of various USDA agencies,
specifically, the Farm Service Agency, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Farmers
Home Administration, Forest Service, Soil Conservation Service, and Statistical Reporting
Service. Each agency has a representative on the Board. The Emergency Board is also
responsible for the following:
C Requesting Natural Disaster Assessment Reports from the County Emergency
Boards, followed by the editing and distribution of these reports.
C Reporting, based on County Emergency Board drought condition reports, on
drought conditions and anticipated agricultural impacts.
The State USDA Emergency Board is also responsible for maintaining liaison with state
government by informing the Governor, Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management,
Department of Agriculture, Drought Management Team and others of the State Emergency
Board’s activities and reports. The State Emergency Board Chairman will invite representatives
of the State Department of Agriculture, Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management,
Governor’s Office and other appropriate state officials to the Emergency Board meetings. The
services of the State Board may be requested by the Governor or his authorized representatives.
Water Resources Board
The Oklahoma Water Resources Board administers surface and groundwater rights in the
state. Under the surface water appropriation system, water users having prior water rights are
given preference over those with junior water rights. In so doing, an attempt is made to
adjudicate disputes between water users and to ensure the conservation and greatest possible
benefit from existing water supplies. During time of drought or limited water supply, and/or when
disputes arise, the OWRB may require junior water rights holders to curtail use to satisfy the
needs of senior downstream users. Groundwater is a property right in Oklahoma and, therefore,
not subject to priority in use. Also, the OWRB is routinely notified of water shortages by water
rights holders.
The OWRB will expedite the issuance of water rights requested for emergency water
supply purposes, provided that the emergency nature of the request is justified. The agency
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routinely assists individual water users in analyzing their future water supply situation and
identifying alternate water sources as well as conservation options. The OWRB may also monitor
groundwater (well) levels during drought periods and estimate the effects of the drought on
groundwater and related water users. In addition, the agency can provide information on state-licensed
water well drillers who may be contacted to establish emergency groundwater supply
wells. The OWRB also directs the Oklahoma Weather Modification Program, initiated as a result
of the 1996-97 drought, to augment rainfall and reduce state hail damage.
The OWRB also administers the State Financial Assistance Program, which provides
loans/grants for water/wastewater facility improvements, and the Oklahoma Leak Detection
Program, which provides loans/grants to identify and repair rural water system leaks. Through
these programs, the agency identifies water systems suffering from drought problems and/or
stressed by water shortages.
The OWRB chairs the Water Availability and Outlook Committee of the Oklahoma
Drought Management Team. As part of this duty, the agency supervises publication of the
Oklahoma Water Resources Bulletin, a periodic report on moisture and water resource-related
conditions in the state.
Department of Wildlife Conservation
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation maintains more than 270 field
personnel who provide feedback on the impacts of ongoing drought episodes, including effects on
16 ODWC lakes across Oklahoma. If required, staff provide estimates of the impact of drought
upon fish and wildlife resources and may make recommendations related to maintenance of
instream flows for fish protection. The agency may also adjust fishing and hunting regulations, as
required, to compensate for varying drought situations and develop and implement alternative
procedures for providing food and water for drought-stressed wildlife.
During drought situations, the ODWC may also provide tank trucks, trailers or other
vehicles capable of transporting or storing emergency water.
Other State Drought Assistance
In addition to the many state services available during drought episodes, potentially
valuable assistance is available through two private organizations, the Oklahoma Rural Water
Association and Oklahoma Municipal League. The ORWA represents the interests of
approximately 1,000 small water supply systems in Oklahoma and provides technical assistance
related to capacity, treatment and distribution problems of those systems. The organization also
cooperates with the Oklahoma Water Resources Board in the Oklahoma Leak Detection
Program, which provides loans and grants for small system leak detection and repair. Th OML
represents Oklahoma’s cities and towns and frequently receives inquiries on drought from
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community systems, which they then refer to the appropriate agency or organization. During
drought and/or water shortage situations, the League can provide significant information on
current primary impacts experienced by Oklahoma’s municipalities.
Drought-related public education materials are available from most of the state agencies
and organizations (including the Oklahoma Rural Water Association and Oklahoma Musical
League) described in this section.
Federal Programs and Responsibilities
Between June 17, 1976 and September 6, 1977, the President declared that emergency
situations existed, as a result of drought conditions, on thirty-three occasions throughout the
country. Such emergency declarations authorized that disaster assistance (under Public Law 93-
288, the Disaster Relief Act of 1974) be provided to alleviate drought impacts. Such assistance
included implementation of the Hay Transportation Assistance Program, the Livestock
Transportation Assistance Program and the Emergency Livestock Feed Program. More than
$103 million was provided from the President’s fund for these programs. However, there were
widespread allegations of fraud and abuse and the programs were discontinued.
The drought assistance duties of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
were effectively removed in 1977 through Congressional legislation enabling the U.S. Department
of Agriculture to acquire more program response capabilities to assist drought-impacted farmers.
While primary responsibility in water shortage situations rests with state and local
authorities, some additional federal assistance, primarily of an advisory nature, may be available to
supplement these efforts in Oklahoma.
Department of Agriculture
The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers numerous programs to respond to drought
episodes and assist farmers affected by drought. One such program is the Emergency Feed
Program, authorized in 1977 and implemented at the discretion of the Secretary of Agriculture.
The program provides for necessary feed, including hay, on a cost-sharing basis after stringent
criteria have been met. USDA’s publication, “Natural Disaster Assistance Available from the
USDA,” details the agency’s assistance programs and related application requirements.
American Red Cross
The disaster services of the Red Cross during a drought or water shortage are in support
of, and in cooperation with, general community-based response efforts initiated to reduce human
suffering or meet basic needs (such as food, shelter and basic medical care). Red Cross activities
vary with the particular needs of a community, including:
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C providing technical consultation and guidance to local and state government
agencies or officials when planning for the distribution of water from central sites
to community residents;
C establishing and staffing first-aid stations at community sites designated for the
distribution of water to residents;
C coordinating voluntary agency activities designed to support local community
response efforts; and
C providing voluntary personnel to assist local government response actions.
Red Cross does not provide specific assistance to commercial, industrial or agricultural
corporations suffering from drought-related programs.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, an arm of the Defense Department, has major
responsibilities in flood protection, navigation and the planning and development of multipurpose
water resource projects. The COE has developed policy and guidance for the preparation of
drought contingency plans as an integral part of the overall water control management system for
Corps-operated and maintained projects. Primary technical assistance and guidance on specific
water and related land resource problems in Oklahoma is available from the COE’s Tulsa District.
The District provides information (updated daily) on the 25 major reservoirs under its jurisdiction
in Oklahoma.
Under the provision of Public Law 84-99, the Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies
Act, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers can provide water in a limited and temporary manner
under drought conditions. This assistance is supplemental to all available local and state efforts,
and requires the declaration of a drought emergency by the state. The program will pay for
transportation costs (by either pipeline, tanker or other means) of water to be used for human and
livestock consumption ONLY. The program will also pay for the installation of water supply
wells, BUT the costs associated with the water well installation must ultimately be repaid to the
Federal government. For more specific information about this program, please contact the Tulsa
District Office of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Bureau of Indian Affairs
The Bureau of Indian Affairs represents Native American water rights interests throughout
U.S. and Oklahoma. The agency’s involvement in drought assistance extends to their involvement
in coordinating various environmental programs on tribal lands in the state.
Bureau of Reclamation
The Bureau of Reclamation assists in the development and conservation of water, power
and related land resources throughout the western U.S., including Oklahoma. Bureau projects are
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operated to serve municipal and industrial, irrigation, water quality improvement and flood
control purposes. The agency is also involved in various cooperative programs with local and
state entities related to water conservation and drought planning. Water level information on the
seven major Bureau-constructed lakes in Oklahoma is primarily available through the local
operators.
Department of Defense
After all local, non-federal, and federal programs and assistance have been exhausted, the
Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, has authority to transport water or
drill wells (for human and livestock consumption only) for political subdivisions in areas
determined to be drought distressed. The transportation of water is a temporary activity that will
be assumed by recipients as soon as practicable. Federally-owned equipment and laborers will be
used to provide assistance.
Federal Emergency Management Agency
The Federal Emergency Management Agency provides assistance to states, local entities
and ordinances in response to various natural disasters. In particular, FEMA processes requests
by the Governor for Presidential “Emergency” and “Major Disaster” Declarations. Emergency
Declarations are grated when specific federal assistance is needed to alleviate drought-induced
problems. This declaration does not automatically trigger or include Small Business
Administration or U.S. Department of Agriculture disaster declarations or programs, although
those programs could be provided separately if requested. Requests for Major Disaster
Declarations are granted if it is determined that actions and expenditures utilized by relevant state
and local governments to address the drought situation represent a “reasonable” commitment of
available resources; and drought damages and problems exceed local and state capabilities to
respond to and/or recover from effects of the drought.
Farm Service Agency
The Farm Service Agency (FSA) works closely with the Governor in ties of drought to
evaluate whether agricultural producers have suffered a 30 percent loss of an agricultural crop. A
Secretarial Disaster Designation may be requested by the Governor due to drought and counties
approved for the designation based on Damage Assessment Reports completed by the county
FSA offices. An approved Secretarial Disaster Designation for a county or contiguous county
allows producers to apply for an emergency loan subject to availability of funds.
The FSA’s Emergency Conservation Program may provide cost-sharing funds during a
drought emergency to develop water supplies for grazing livestock; it may also assist in
preventing wind erosion damage to farmland caused by drought. The FSA County Committee
may request authority to implement the Emergency Conservation Program in cases of severe
drought.
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The Conservation Reserve Program allows producers to enter environmentally sensitive
land into a 10 to 15 year contract with FSA by idling the land and placing it in a vegetative cover.
Grazing or haying of this acreage is prohibited under terms of the contracts except in periods of
time approved by the FSA Deputy administrator. Drought is a condition that the Deputy
Administrator recognizes to approve grazing and haying of Conservation Reserve Program
acreage. Provisions of grazing and haying are issued by the Deputy Administrator and usually
include a percent reduction in the annual rental rate for grazing and haying.
The Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) administered by FSA protects
growers of many crops for which Federal crop insurance is not available. FSA makes NAP
payments to eligible producers when both the expected “area” yield is less than 65 percent of
normal, and individual crop losses are in excess of 50 percent of the average yield. If these
conditions are met, the Agency pay 60 percent of the expected market price for each unit of
production lost above 50 percent. Drought may be an eligible condition to request an approved
NAP area.
Details of all FSA programs may be obtained from any county FSA office.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
The Fish and Wildlife Service assists states in the planning and development of projects to
restore and manage fish and wildlife resources. During drought situations, the Service monitors
impacts to instream flows, endangered species, waterfowl and/or effects on federal wildlife
refuges.
U.S. Geological Survey
The U.S. Geological Survey’s Water Resources Division has the principal responsibility
within the federal government for providing hydrologic information and appraising the nation’s
water resources. USGS, which is an arm of the Department of Interior, has neither regulatory nor
developmental authority.
A major part of the work of the USGS Water Resources Division is accomplished through
cooperation with state and local agencies, the “Federal-State Cooperative Program.” These water
resources investigations are jointly funded, at least 50 percent of the financial support derived
from the cooperating state and/or local agency. The objectives are to provide water information
for economic development and best use of water resources, as well as general hydrologic
research. The technical information produced in the investigations provides the physical basis for
effective planning of programs for development and management of water resources and efficient
operation of interrelated projects at federal, state and local levels.
The USGS maintains 155 river stage/discharge and lake stage sites of which 146 have data
collection platforms (equipment that uses satellite communications to transmit flow data in real
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time). The agency also maintains historic data in a computer database for more than 25,000 sites
in Oklahoma and interprets hydrologic data for use by individuals in either the public or private
sector, including those involved in water rights decisions and wastewater permit preparations.
Department of Health and Human Services
Public Health Service personnel from the Food and Drug Administration, Center for
Disease Control and Health Resources and Services Administration are prepared to assist state
health officials and other federal officials with health-related problems experienced as a result of
drought. Officials located in regional or state offices of the Department of Health and Human
Services can provide advice, guidance and technical engineering assistance related to the
assessment of actual or potential health problems as well as the provision of appropriate medical
care. Officials with state/district offices of the Social Security Administration also work closely
with state agencies in providing various financial assistance and other human services available
under existing programs.
The Older American Act authorizes the federal government to assume a portion or all of
the costs associated with developing model projects that show promise in relieving older
individuals of burdens related to costly utility service, frequently experienced by elderly citizens
during hot drought episodes. Special consideration is given to projects under which a business
provides utility services to low-income, older individuals at a cost substantially lower than that
afforded to other individuals.
Internal Revenue Service
If, due to drought conditions, a farmer or rancher involuntarily sells more animals than
normal, the IRS may allow them to include income from the sale of the additional animals as
income for the following year instead of the drought year. This regulation is contingent upon four
conditions.
1) the principal business is farming
2) the cash method of accounting was used;
3) the sale would not have occurred except for the drought; and
4) the drought resulted in an area being designated as eligible for assistance by the
federal government.
Natural Resources Conservation Service
The NRCS provides technical assistance through local conservation districts to farmers,
ranchers and local governments under various authorities. In drought-stricken areas, the emphasis
on technical assistance is shifted to drought-related activities. Farmers and ranchers in drought-stricken
counties may contact local NRCS or conservation offices for information on available
NRCS technical and financial assistance available to them. In addition, the Resources inventory
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Division of the National Headquarters of NRCS compiles reports on short-duration natural
phenomena, including droughts.
Inventory and monitoring objectives of the NRCS provide for the field collection,
interpretation and publication of natural and related resource data for use by many governmental
agencies, individuals and organizations. They permit users to examine the relations and
interactions of natural and related resources to determine how they are used and managed, to
define resources problems, and to identify resources potentials.
The agency’s Great Plains Conservation Program, under authority of the NRCS, serves to
conserve and develop the soil and water of the Great Plains area by providing technical and
financial assistance to farmers, ranchers, and others in planning and implementing conservation
practices. The objective of the NRCS Soil Survey Program is to provide published soil
interpretations for widespread use by interested agencies, organizations and individuals. The
Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Program provides technical and financial assistance
to local organizations for planning and implementing small watershed projects for watershed
protection, flood prevention, agricultural water management, recreation, municipal and industrial
water supply, and fish and wildlife development. Finally, the NRCS’s River Basin Surveys and
Investigations Program assists state and local agencies in collecting decision-making information
and developing plans of action regarding water and related land resources for the general
purposes of economic development and environmental quality.
Rural Development
Rural Development (formerly Farmers Home Administration) has several programs which
can alleviate drought and water shortage conditions in rural areas. RD’s Emergency, Soil and
Water, Farm Ownership, Watershed and Operating loan programs award funds for use by eligible
state farmers to establish wells. These programs can also be used to help farmers overcome
financial difficulties.
RD can make emergency (EM) loans in counties (parishes) where physical property
damages and/or severe production losses occur as a result of a natural disaster that substantially
affects farming, ranching or aquaculture operations. There are three methods and circumstances
through which EM loans are made available:
1) Under a major disaster or emergency declaration by the President, EM loans will
be made available to applicants having qualifying severe physical and/or production
losses within a county named by FEMA as eligible for federal assistance (i.e.,
Individual and/or Public Assistance);
2) Under a natural disaster designation by the Secretary of Agriculture, EM loans will
be made available to applicants having qualifying severe physical and/or production
losses within a county named by the Secretary; and
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3) Under a natural disaster designation by the RD Administrator, EM loans will be
made available to applicants having qualifying severe physical losses only, prior to
action by the President or the Secretary.
The agency’s Water and Sewer, Irrigation, Drainage and Soil Conservation; businesses
and industry; and Community Facility loan programs may permit groups -- including, in some
cases, governmental bodies -- to obtain loans for purposes that could help alleviate water
shortages in rural areas. RD provides guidance to applicants regarding compliance requirements
associated with the proposed loan, however, the agency provides no technical guidance related to
these funding programs.
Small Business Administration
When an area is designated a drought disaster area by the Secretary of Agriculture, the
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to small
businesses and agriculture cooperatives dependent upon farmers and ranchers adversely affected
by the drought. The loans provide working capital to assist small businesses experiencing
substantial economic injury caused by farmers’ and ranchers’ inability to buy goods and services
at normal levels due to the drought. The loans are not available to farmers and ranchers and do
not address physical damages caused by the drought.
National Weather Service
The National Weather Service provides information on current weather in Oklahoma
(through its Norman, Tulsa, and Amarillo, Texas Forecast Offices) and river stages (through the
NWS’s Arkansas-Red River Basin Forecast Center, in Tulsa). The local Forecast Offices also
provides weather forecasts prepared locally through 5 days, and long-term outlook type forecasts
from the Climate Prediction Center in Washington, D.C. for the 6 to 10 day, 30 day, 60 day, and
90 day periods.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides Community
Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds directly to Entitlement Cities with populations of at
least 50,000, and to small communities with populations under 50,000 through the Oklahoma
Department of Commerce. CDBG funds may be used for eligible projects including the
construction or repair of water lines, new water wells, and other related construction that would
meet existing community needs. In an instance of a Presidential declaration of disaster,
communities may request waivers of program requirements so that funds may be redirected to
emergency situations.
Other Federal Drought Assistance
Drought-related public education and assistance materials are available from most of the
federal agencies described in this section.
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APPENDIX
THE OKLAHOMA DROUGHT MANAGEMENT TEAM
GOALS
The goals of the Oklahoma Drought Management Team are to implement Oklahoma Executive
Order 96-24 which follows:
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
EXECUTIVE ORDER 96-24
********************
I, Frank Keating, Governor of the State of Oklahoma, pursuant to the powers vested in me by
Article VI, Section 2 of the Oklahoma Constitution have caused the formation of the Oklahoma
Drought Management Team that will develop a coordinated plan to address emergency drought
problems within the State designed to preserve lives and protect the health, property,
environment, and safety of the people of Oklahoma.
When drought occurs, the State is impacted by a variety of complex problems, which, if identified
and evaluated, can be dealt with in a well organized and cost-efficient manner in cooperation with
the federal government and through coordination of State and local entities. During periods of
drought the State’s water resources must be carefully and closely monitored, conserved and
managed in the best interests of all Oklahomans.
The Oklahoma Drought Management Team is hereby established effective this data and be
comprised of two groups: the Management Group and the Advisory Group.
1. The Management Group shall be comprised of representatives from the following
State agencies: Department of Emergency Management which will serve as the
Lead Agency, Department of Agriculture, Water Resources Board, Department of
Health, Department of Environmental Quality, Conservation Commission,
Department of Wildlife Conservation, Climatological Survey, and Military
Department.
2. The Advisory Group shall be comprised of representatives of the following State
associations and agencies: Association of County Commissioners, Rural Water
District Association, Inc., Oklahoma Municipal League and the resources of all
remaining State departments and agencies available to provide advice and
assistance to the Team, including the Oklahoma Board of Regents for Higher
Education.
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The lead agency will formally coordinate with the following federal agencies to request their
advice and assistance: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Tulsa District, US
Army Corps of Engineers, Forestry Services, Geological Survey, Bureau of Reclamation, Farm
Service Agency, National Weather Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Small Business
Administration, Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Housing & Urban Development, Environmental Protection Agency, and any other federal agency
available to provide advice and assistance.
The Oklahoma Drought Management Team will be responsible to:
1. Provide an organizational structure that assures information flow and defines the
duties and responsibilities of all agencies during time of drought related
emergencies.
2. Provide the probable impacts associated with periods of water shortage on the
primary economic and environmental sectors of the State.
3. Develop and recommend State drought response, recovery and mitigation
initiatives for conditions determined to be detrimental to the State economy and
public health.
4. Identify drought management areas in the State.
5. Provide coordination and communication among federal, state, and local entities as
deemed appropriate for drought assistance programs, education, and information.
6. Perform such other drought related assessments and response functions as deemed
necessary.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of
Oklahoma to be affixed this (6th day of August, 1996).
THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA
signed: Frank Keating
ATTEST:
Signed: Pamela Warren
Secretary of State, Assistant
41
BIBLIOGRAPHY
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Management, Bureau of Water Resources Management, Pennsylvania Drought Contingency
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Oregon Emergency Management, Drought Annex to State Emergency Operations Plan, June
1993.
State of Colorado, Division of Disaster Emergency Services, The Colorado Drought Response
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National Water Management During Drought, Workshop Synopses from the First Year of Study,
July 1990.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Water Resources Support Center, Institute for Water Resources,
National Study of Water Management During Drought, Report on the First Year of Study, IWR
Report 91-NDS-1, May 1991.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Water Resources Support Center, Institute for Water Resources,
National Study of Water Management During Drought, A Preliminary Assessment of Corps of
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September 1991.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Water Resources Support Center, Institute for Water Resources,
National Study of Water Management During Drought, A Research Assessment, IWR Report
91-NDS-3, August 1991.
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National Study of Water Management During Drought, Lessons Learned from the California
Drought (1987-1992), IWR Report 91-NDS-5, September 1993.
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Colorado, Application of the Reclamation Drought Index to the State of Oklahoma, February
1995.
Western States Water Council, A Model for Western State Drought Response and Planning,
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Wilhite, Donald A., National Drought Mitigation Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln,
Impacts of Drought, November 1995.
42
Wilhite, Donald A., National Drought Mitigation Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln,
Drought Indices, July 1996.
Wilhite, Donald A., Center for Agricultural Meteorology and Climatology, International Drought
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