Gail Yuly, Minot

I have served for 26 years as a member and clerk/treasurer of the Ward County Weather Modification Board. I would like to address questions raised about this board’s role, our yearly budget, and average income and operating expenses.

The local weather modification board operates within a budget from the county for its share of the operational costs and for minor local expenses. The State of North Dakota through the Atmospheric Resource Board manages the Cloud Modification Project and along with the other counties that participate, Ward reimburses the state for its share of the program costs. The ARB pays for supplies and operations, including flares and cloud seeding agents and the services of pilots and meteorologists, the county does not purchase these items directly.

Like all public entity purchase decisions, state procurement laws spell out bidding and buying processes. In the case of weather modification, the state requests proposals for cloud seeding services, training, and supplies. Qualifying firms able to deliver these services or products, bid for the contract. This process is the same as used by the state to hire companies for construction projects, buying computers or any government purchases. Combined efficiencies in state purchases, hiring, and operations are shared by all counties participating in weather modification, but daily operational decisions remain local.

There have been some questions raised about weather modification board member compensation. As the board’s secretary/treasurer, I receive $100 per month as wages. I am also clerk/treasurer for my local township and the wage is similar. Other weather modification board members do not receive a wage, only mileage reimbursement. The members are reimbursed for travel costs to attend budget hearings with the county commission, regular and special meetings, and an annual district meeting usually held in New Town.

Some local claims state that the Ward County Weather Modification Program has spent over $4.2 million dollars in the 14 years since 2006. The fact is from 2006 to 2019, the total dollars Ward County provided for that time frame was $2,488,857.26.

Another claim made by program critics suggests the county cloud seeding program will cost nearly two million dollars for the next five years. Budgets for the program’s extended future operations have not been prepared, but previous actual transactions serve as the base for operating budgets. In the five years of 2015 through 2019 the Ward County Weather Modification Program collected a combined total from Ward County of $825,336.40. This figure more likely represents five years of collective future expenditures.

People with questions about cloud seeding operations should visit the State Water Commission and ARB website: www.swc.nd.gov/arb/. Or call any of the local weather modification board members or state Atmospheric Resource Board office. The staff and your representatives on these boards are responsive and willing to answer questions.

I serve the residents and homeowners in Ward County on this board because I believe weather modification helps increase rainfall which benefits agriculture and reduces the threat of damaging hail for everyone with crops, gardens, cars, or roofs.