Planning for Drought

The Basics of Drought Planning: A 10-Step Process

Step 7: Publicize the Proposed Plan, Solicit Reaction

If there has been good communication with the public throughout the process of establishing a drought plan, there may already be better-than-normal awareness of drought and drought planning by the time the task force recommends various drought mitigation and response options. Themes to emphasize in writing news releases and organizing informational meetings during and after the drought planning process could include:

• How the drought plan is expected to relieve impacts of drought. Stories can focus on the human dimensions of drought, such as how it affects a farm family; on its environmental consequences, such as reduced wildlife habitat; and on its economic effects, such as the costs to a particular industry or to the state's overall economy.
• What it will cost to implement each option, and how it will be funded.
• What changes people might be asked to make in response to different degrees of drought, such as restricted lawn watering and car washing, or not irrigating certain crops at certain times.

In subsequent years, it may be useful to do "drought plan refresher" news releases at the beginning of the most drought-sensitive season, letting people know whether there is pressure on water supplies or reason to believe that there will be shortfalls later in the season, and reminding them of the plan's existence and history and any associated success stories. It may be useful to refresh people's memories ahead of time on circumstances that would lead to water use restrictions.

During drought, the task force should work with public information professionals to keep the public well informed of the current status of water supplies, whether conditions are approaching "trigger points" that will lead to requests for voluntary or mandatory use restrictions, and how victims of drought can access assistance. All pertinent information should also be available on the state's drought website so that the public can get information directly from the task force without having to rely on mass media.

On to Step 8
Back to the 10-Step Process