0025 ss 071611 rev

SUPPORTING STATEMENT
WEATHER MODIFICATION ACTIVITIES REPORTS
OMB CONTROL NO. 0648-0025

A.

JUSTIFICATION

1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary.
This request is for extension of this information collection.
P.L. 92-205, enacted December 18, 1971 (amended by Public Law 94-490, Section 6(b), October
15, 1976) requires that all non-federal weather modification activities in the United States and its
territories be reported to the Secretary of Commerce. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration has implemented the Act and the current reporting requirements are published in
the Code of Federal Regulations (15 CFR 908).
2. Explain how, by whom, how frequently, and for what purpose the information will be
used.
Respondents to this data collection are operators of aircraft which engage in cloud-seeding and
other related activities in an attempt to modify the weather, i.e., to increase precipitation, mitigate
hail, and disperse fog. They are required to file two one-page reports annually. Each project
must file with NOAA an initial report (Form 17-4) and a final report (Form 17-4A) - or an
interim report on the same form if the project continues beyond December 31.
NOAA assembles, analyzes, and retains records of reported weather modification activities,
makes the records publicly available to the fullest extent practicable, and publishes summaries
from time to time. The intent of the program is to increase expertise in the field of weather
modification, to allow scientists and other concerned persons to have access to information on
current and past efforts at weather modification, to help avoid unneeded and wasteful
duplications, to aid in preventing territorial overlapping of weather modification operations, to
provide data to assess possible harmful or dangerous activities, and to furnish information to
check both desirable and undesirable atmospheric changes against records of weather
modification efforts.
To meet this objective, information is collected on the location and size of the target area, names
and addresses of sponsors and operators, beginning and ending dates of the project, specific
purpose, description of apparatus and seeding agents to be used, number of days of operations,
number of hours of operations of each type of weather modification apparatus, and total amount
of seeding agent used.
The reports of weather modification activities on file with NOAA as a result of the reporting
program furnish useful information for several purposes. Persons planning projects, writing
news articles, or preparing term papers request historical and current data for individual states,
1

regions, or the United States. Congressional staffs, Federal and State officials, and private
citizens inquire or complain about weather modification activities that are thought to be
associated with adverse weather conditions. On occasion, plaintiffs, defendants, or their lawyers
ask for records of activities in connection with law suits. Even the practitioners upon whom the
reporting burden is placed are interested in the level of activity throughout the country, and
summary reports have been prepared (at their request) for publication in their association journal
in the years when an official NOAA report has not been published. The data contained in the
reports are also used to provide information (1) required by a March 26, 1975, U.S.- Canada
agreement to exchange information on weather modification activities within 200 miles of our
common boundary and (2) to the World meteorological Organization (WMO) for publication in
its yearly “Register of National Weather Modification Projects”.
As explained in the preceding paragraphs, the information gathered has utility. NOAA will
retain control over the information and safeguard it from improper access, modification, and
destruction, consistent with NOAA standards for confidentiality, privacy, and electronic
information. See response to Question 10 of this Supporting Statement for more information on
confidentiality and privacy. The information collection is designed to yield data that meet all
applicable information quality guidelines. Although the information collected is not expected to
be disseminated directly to the public, results may be used in scientific, management, technical or
general informational publications. Should NOAA decide to disseminate the information, it will
be subject to the quality control measures and pre-dissemination review pursuant to Section 515
of Public Law 106-554.
3. Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information involves the use of
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological techniques or other forms of
information technology.
Beginning in 2000, the NOAA Forms 17-4 and 17-4A became available on the Internet at
http://www.corporateservices.noaa.gov/~noaaforms/eforms/ in order for the respondents to have
the capability of being able to fill-out and print forms on-line. However, the forms can not be
submitted electronically at this time because the forms are required to be signed by the
equipment operator. The forms may be faxed to (301) 713-1459 to the attention of Karen
Williams or may be mailed to the NOAA - Weather Modification Reporting Office in Silver
Spring, MD. Electronic signature capability is being planned but security requirements are still
to be addressed. The NOAA Forms 17-4 and 17-4A are still available by mail to those who do
not have access to a computer.
4. Describe efforts to identify duplication.
NOAA is the only organization/activity collecting this information.

2

5. If the collection of information involves small businesses or other small entities, describe
the methods used to minimize burden.
To the best of our knowledge, this reporting activity has no significant impact on small
businesses, organizations, or government entities. Only minimal information is required and the
forms are designed to minimize the burden on the reporting entity.
6. Describe the consequences to the Federal program or policy activities if the collection is
not conducted or is conducted less frequently.
Current information is needed to respond to Congressional and public requests for information,
and most projects require only an initial and final report each year. Lack of this information
would render the Government unable to comply with requests for data as outlined in Question 2,
and the data that is used for so many purposes would be unavailable.
7. Explain any special circumstances that require the collection to be conducted in a
manner inconsistent with OMB guidelines.
This collection is being conducted in a manner consistent with the guidelines.
8. Provide information on the PRA Federal Register Notice that solicited public comments
on the information collection prior to this submission. Summarize the public comments
received in response to that notice and describe the actions taken by the agency in response
to those comments. Describe the efforts to consult with persons outside the agency to
obtain their views on the availability of data, frequency of collection, the clarity of
instructions and recordkeeping, disclosure, or reporting format (if any), and on the data
elements to be recorded, disclosed, or reported.
A Federal Register Notice published on April 5, 2011 (76 FR 18723) solicited public comment
on this renewal.
The following comment was received: Consider having web or email submissions of the 17-4
and 17-4A forms allowable. We have informed the commenter that we are currently looking into
making electronic signature capability available, so that forms can be submitted electronically.
9. Explain any decisions to provide payments or gifts to respondents, other than
remuneration of contractors or grantees.
No payments, gifts, or remuneration of any kind are provided.
10. Describe any assurance or confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for
assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.
No confidentiality is promised or provided.

3

11. Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual
behavior and attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly considered
private.
No sensitive questions are asked on the report.
12. Provide an estimate in hours of the burden of the collection of information.
We expect approximately 55 respondents annually. They are required to file two one-page
reports annually. Each project must file with NOAA an initial report (Form 17-4) and a final
report (Form 17-4A - or an interim report on the same form if the project continues beyond
December 31). The annual burden for these activities is estimated to be:
55 respondents x 1 Form 17-4 x 30 minutes = 27.5 hours
55 respondents x 1 Form 17-4A x 30 minutes = 27.5 hours
Totals: 55 respondents, 110 responses, and 55 hours.

13. Provide an estimate of the total annual cost burden to the respondents or recordkeepers resulting from the collection.
The annual cost burden for copying, mailing minimal long-distance telephone costs, and filing is
approximately $4.00 - $5.00 per respondent. 55 respondents x $5 = $275.
14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal government.
The total annual cost to the Federal Government of this reporting is estimated at $15,505.00.
The following is the breakdown:
Personnel compensation
Personnel benefits
Transportation of things
Rents, Communications, Utilities
Printing and Reproduction

$10,285
2,520
0
1,500
1,200

15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments.
There are no changes or adjustments.
16. For collections whose results will be published, outline the plans for tabulation and
publication.
The data is used by special request, i.e., responses to various queries, except for an annual report
which is provided to the National Weather Service (NWS) for transmittal to the World
4

Meteorological Report. This report is a compilation of fiscal year data and is sent to NWS on a
spreadsheet.
17. If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the
information collection, explain the reasons why display would be inappropriate.
N/A.
18. Explain each exception to the certification statement.
N/A.
B. COLLECTIONS OF INFORMATION EMPLOYING STATISTICAL METHODS
N/A.

5