Structure & Function
of Drought Planning		 inset_5c.jpg (2588 bytes)

                             5.C. IMPACT ASSESSMENT WORK GROUP (IAWG)

The Impact Assessment Work Group (IAWG) serves two functions. First, when the state is not in a drought, the IAWG works year-round to assess vulnerabilities to drought and take action to mitigate those vulnerabilities. Second, during a drought, the IAWG plays the critical role in assessing the actual impacts of drought in the affected areas of the state, communicating those impacts to the DTF and, where possible, taking action to respond to and alleviate the impacts of the drought. However, because of the limited capabilities of the sub-group members, it is also incumbent upon them to make recommendations to the DTF on actions that should be taken at other levels of government to respond to the drought situation. The Task Force also should be advised of any needs that cannot be met through existing in-state resources. Planned Mitigation Actions for each of the IAWG sub-groups are provided under Section 9.

The IAWG is comprised of four sub-groups, each focussing on a specific impact sector. Membership among the subgroups includes individuals from appropriate state, federal and local governments and private, non-profit organizations. (See Section 10 for IAWG sub-group member lists.) Each of the sub-groups is chaired by a state agency representative. The chairs to these sub-groups serve as the co-chairs of the IAWG, which is made up of members from all the sub-groups. Many issues may fall under more than one of the sub-group "categories." Therefore, each sub-group must actively communicate and coordinate with one another. The sub-group chairs shall facilitate this communication by periodically meeting among themselves and encouraging membership from other sub-groups on their groups.

The Impact Assessment Work Group is comprised of four specific functional sub-groups representing various sectors of possible drought assistance impact groups. The members are water resource professionals who have experience in the planning, analysis, and use of water resources in New Mexico. They have been chosen as the core of the assessment group to assess the vulnerability of their particular affected customer impact sub-groups, develop long range strategies for assisting their customers and develop mitigation and response alternatives to known and unforeseen customer problems.

The Impact Assessment Work Group monitors and assesses the current and potential impacts of impending or ongoing drought upon the State’s economy, environment and natural resources. It is the responsibility of the IAWG to initiate any and all appropriate drought responses within the capabilities of existing state and federal resources, and advise the Drought Task Force of any needs that cannot be met through existing in- state resources.

1. Agriculture Sub-Group

The Agriculture Sub-Group focuses their mitigation and response efforts on the impacts of drought to the agricultural sector. The length and degree of intensity of drought can produce profound impacts on the state’s agricultural industries. Farmers and ranchers, historically, have been the communities most visibly affected by drought and numerous federal assistance programs are available for the agricultural sector (See Section 11). Timely and accurate assessment of agricultural conditions allows effective response mechanisms to be activated. Therefore, the Agriculture Sub-Group will be particularly interested in soil moisture and precipitation forecast data provided by the MWG. Moreover, assessing and mitigating vulnerabilities in the area of agriculture is a challenge undertaken by this sub-group.

 

2. Drinking Water, Health and Energy Sub-Group

The Drinking Water, Health and Energy Sub-Group has a broad-spectrum of mitigation and response responsibilities. Drought-related impacts on drinking water systems, energy delivery systems and public health conditions are the purview of this sub-group. For example, as droughts worsen, municipal water systems can become increasingly strained. Water quantity and quality problems can become a crisis within certain communities that lack contingencies for drought. In addition, although drought is a climatic condition associated with an unusual and prolonged lack of precipitation, higher than normal temperatures also may be a related concern. Therefore, drought conditions may cause unusual demands on electrical and other energy systems, possibly resulting in brown-outs and grid failure. Finally, the health aspect of drought may include a variety of issues including respiratory problems associated with blowing dust and mental health concerns due to economic failure.

3. Wildlife and Wildfire Protection Sub-Group

Periods of drought in New Mexico have nearly always been associated with severe forest and rangeland fires. In addition, wildlife often suffer from lack of forage, sometimes turning to grazing rangelands and competing with livestock. Fish and riparian areas also suffer during droughts. Low stream flows during drought can increase threats to endangered and threatened fish species. Because of the interrelated aspects of these issues with the agricultural communities, it is important for this sub-group to closely coordinate activities with the Agriculture Sub-Group. The Wildlife and Wildfire Protection Sub-Group assesses impacts, implements mitigation and response activities related to these issues.

4. Tourism and Economic Impact Sub-Group

This sub-groups focuses on assessing impacts of drought and implementing, where possible, response actions related tourism and economic impact. The tourism industry represents a significant sector of the overall state economy, particularly with respect to the skiing industry and recreational opportunities available at the numerous forests and parks. Tourism and the livelihood it brings to many New Mexicans can be negatively impacted by drought. The state’s economy, in general, can be dramatically impacted by drought. Economic impacts assessed by the Tourism and Economic Impact Sub-Group includes crop failures, livestock losses, secondary losses to agriculture suppliers, revenue losses due to reduction in skiing and water-based recreation and increased state expenditures on fire suppression.