Mitigation Defined

Different groups use the word mitigation in slightly different ways.

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), “Mitigation is the effort to reduce loss of life and property by lessening the impact of disasters. This is achieved through risk analysis, which results in information that provides a foundation for mitigation activities that reduce risk … .”
(http://www.fema.gov/government/mitigation.shtm)

FEMA's definitionof mitigation is what we at the National Drought Mitigation Center mean by mitigation, although drought is not one of the disasters that FEMA handles.

In contrast, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) uses adaptation to describe actions taken to reduce impacts. To the IPCC, mitigation means reducing the extent of global warming.

In environmental engineering, mitigation may refer to planned activities that offset the environmental effects of a project.

None of these definitions is right or wrong, but it’s helpful to clarify which one we are using and to be consistent.

Agriculture

• Planting crop varieties with increased tolerance for water stress, use of no-till farming to improve soil moisture content, use of more efficient irrigation systems (such as subsurface drip irrigation) to conserve water supplies. “Farming innovations help stretch stressed resource,” Omaha World-Herald, July 22, 2007. “No-Till and Poultry Litter Can Help Cotton Weather Drought,” Jan. 5, 2006, USDA Agricultural Research Service. “Researchers engineer drought-resistant plants,” Nov. 26, 2007, Nature. “Drought tolerance can conserve water, energy,” Nov. 13, 2007, Farm Press. “Researchers Discuss No-Till Practices,” Prairie Star, Great Falls, Montana, Sept. 14, 2005.
• Installation of bio-remediation systems on the farm to recycle waste water and increase water availability. “An Oahu Farm Uses Science to Combat Drought Conditions,” KHNL News 8, Honolulu, July 26, 2007.
• Develop range management software to determine appropriate carrying capacity during drought.

Water supply and quality

• Develop and enforce water use restrictions and/or water rationing. “Lubbock City Council Moves Forward with Drought Contingency Plans,” KCBD, NewsChannel 11, June 26, 2006. “Bladen Drought Worsens, Water Rationing in Elizabethtown,” Bladen (N.C.) Journal, June 5, 2007.
• Build desalinization plants and/or water treatment plants to increase water supplies.
• Link water systems to neighboring systems with more diversified water supplies. “Council OKs $3M Water Connection,” The Herald-Sun, Durham, N.C., Jan. 8, 2008.
• Improve water system flushing procedures to reduce water loss
• Develop water supply and drought preparedness plan in advance of a drought. “[San Diego] CWA to prepare drought management plan,” Fallbrook (Calif.) Village News, March 9, 2006.
• Install additional water intake pipes in lakes and rivers and expand treatment capacity to improve reliability of community water supply. “County plans second water intake,” Clayton (N.C.) News-Star, Jan. 2, 2008.

Plants and wildlife

• Aerate ponds to increase the oxygen content. “Drought impacts Mississippi pond water, oxygen levels,” MSU Ag Communications, Aug. 29, 2006.
• Plant native, less water intensive lawns and gardens (Xeriscaping). “In Florida, lukewarm welcome for drought-resistant landscaping,” Christian Science Monitor, Aug. 17, 2007. “Texas drought study focuses on turfgrass survival, recuperation,” Landscape Management, April 9, 2007.
• Use rain barrels to collect and store storm water for later lawn/plant irrigation. “'Old technology' to provide help in ongoing drought,” Hickory (N.C.) Daily Record, Nov. 19, 2007.
• Implement city ordinances for lawn care and landscaping. “Drought Ordinance Will Reduce Use of Certain Grasses,” WOAI, San Antonio, Jan. 11, 2007.

Fire

• Increase funding and equipment for fighting wildfires. “$2 million set aside for fighting wildfires,” Rocky Mountain News, April 20, 2006.
• Develop and enact bans on outdoor burning or use of fireworks. “Drought Prompts Fire Fear,” Rapid City (S.D.) Journal, June 23, 2006. “N.C. Drought Conditions Worsen, State Under Burning Ban,” WWAY NewsChannel 3, Oct. 15, 2007.
• Implement a wildfire reporting hotline to help stop illegal burning. “Wildfire hotlines help as drought persists,” The Gazette-Enterprise, Seguin, Texas, Jan. 24, 2006.
• Remove dead vegetation around homes and other structures. “Plant aggravates fire dangers in desert,” Tucson Citizen, Feb. 8, 2006.

Society and public health

• Offer free mental health hot lines for drought affected farmers and ranchers. “Counseling Hotlines Help Farmers Cope with Drought,” Associated Press, Nov. 23, 2007.
• Reduce likeliness of home foundation damage by properly watering around the foundation. “Drought Hurting Foundations,” Dallas Morning News, Aug. 24, 2006. “Soaker Hoses Can Save Thousands During Drought,” KXAS Dallas, Jan. 12, 2006.
• Planning for future water needs and drought conditions during the building of new housing developments. “Drought Tolerant Concept Embraced by Developers,” Victor Valley (Calif.) Daily Press, April 6, 2005.
• Education/outreach to increase drought awareness and promote drought mitigation activities. “Efforts to inform residents of drought plan,” The Verde (Ariz.) Independent, Feb. 3, 2007.

Development of range management software to determine appropriate carrying capacity during drought

A rangeland management specialist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has developed “The Drought Management Calculator,” a tool designed to help farmers and ranchers determine optimal herd sizes and feed needs. The program uses weather data and historical livestock data to calculate land carrying capacity and other variables. During a drought the program will make suggestions about the number of livestock that should be sold and it can calculate the cost of feeding specific herd sizes. The program also considers real-time market prices to help producers manage their finances and minimize financial losses. This tool is available to farmers and ranchers at no cost from the NRCS.
“Helping Ranchers Calculate the Future,” Bismarck Tribune, June 3, 2007.

Build desalinization plants and/or water treatment plants to increase water supplies

In the Tampa Bay area, over 2.5 million residents are now receiving water from the Tampa Bay Seawater Desalination Plant, the country’s first large-scale desalination plant. About ten years ago, the Tampa Bay area was affected by a drought that put extreme pressure on local water supplies. Water managers began exploring ways to reduce the vulnerability of their water supply, and when the cost of desalination declined the managers took action. The plant is capable of producing up to 25 million gallons of drinking water per day, and capacity can be expanded to a maximum of 35 million gallons per day. The plant uses several treatment techniques, including reverse osmosis, to separate freshwater from saltwater, and post-treatment dilution ensures that salinity levels in the surrounding environment are not affected.
“Desalination Plant Delivering Clean Drinking Water to Tampa Bay Region,” Water Online, Jan. 25, 2008.

Planning for future water needs and drought conditions in building new housing developments

In Wendell, North Carolina, ongoing drought conditions have influenced one housing developer to plan for future water needs and drought conditions. The latest development site, Wendell Falls, will serve as the primary connection point linking the water supply in eastern Wake County to a reservoir currently under construction. This will increase water supplies for Wendell and reduce water demand on near by Raleigh. Additionally, Wendell Falls is constructing separate wells for outdoor irrigation to reduce stress on municipal drinking water, and all grasses planted within the community are required to be native varieties that require less water. Developers are also taking steps to reduce water use in the home by installing the latest green technology and water saving devices.
“New Neighborhood Factors Drought Planning Into Development,” Carolina Newswire.com, Jan. 24, 2008

Develop water supply and drought preparedness plan in advance of a drought

Officials in the El Dorado Irrigation District have adopted a drought preparedness plan that describes actions to be taken at various levels of drought severity. The plan, which has been in development for several years, specifies three stages of drought severity along with guidelines for water use reductions at the different stages. For example, Stage 1 calls for increased public awareness about water shortages and encourages a 15% reduction in water use. Stage 2 mandates a 30% reduction in water use, and Stage 3 mandates a 50% reduction. The plan also clearly defines the types of water uses that are allowed at different stages, and it identifies consequences (fines) for violating water use restrictions.
“In Wet Year, EDID Prepares for Drought Down the Road,” The Sacramento Bee, Feb. 12, 2008.