National Drought Preparedness Act of 2005

The National Drought Preparedness Act of 2005 (S. 802) proposes a shift in federal policy from reacting to drought emergencies to proactively preparing for them. The bill would establish a National Drought Council and a dedicated Drought Assistance Fund to help state, local, and tribal governments develop long-term water management plans and invest in water conservation technologies.

For everyday citizens, this legislation aims to provide more reliable water security and reduce the economic shocks caused by severe dry spells. By improving the National Integrated Drought Information System, the bill would also provide farmers, businesses, and homeowners with better early-warning data to help them protect their livelihoods and property before a water shortage becomes a crisis. Additionally, the bill includes provisions to reimburse states for the costs of prepositioning firefighting equipment to more effectively combat drought-related wildfires.