DNRC Wants More Public Input if Cloud Seeding is Approved

DNRC Wants More Public Input if Cloud Seeding is Approved

News Type: State, Regional, Federal Source: Missoula Current
Click here to read the article: https://missoulacurrent.com/outdoors/2020/09/dnrc-cloud-seeding/

If the 2021 Legislature approves, Montana could join a few Western states trying to counteract the effects of climate change with cloud seeding. But the Department of Natural Resources Conservation wants the public to stay involved.

Midway through September, almost three-quarters of Montana is abnormally dry while 15% – mostly in the southwest and southeast – is experiencing moderate drought, according to the National Drought Mitigation Center. The result is that crops yet to be harvested are stressed, and wildfire is still a threat.

Some ranchers want to use a weather tool that might reduce the drought somewhat: cloud seeding. So they took their request to the Montana Legislature.