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Idaho Legislature - Cloud Seeding — SB 1269 providing no value to improve transparency. A video tutorial of the NOAA weather modification reporting we already have through the federal Weather Modification Act of 1976. By Sara A (03/01/26, article + references + 8 minute video with transcript).
After being placed on an administrative mute for testimony on SB1269 (I can take a hint ;), I decided that a video tutorial of the NOAA weather modification library is probably more visually descriptive. As you can see, we have weather modification reporting through the federal Weather Modification Act of 1976. SB 1269 attempts to duplicate what we already have available online. — Sara Allstot
Sara A’s 8 minute video walks you through federally mandated cloud seeding transparency reports already available through NOAA, public meetings already occurring at Idaho Water Resources Board (IWRB), and explains why S1269 is a pointless exercise in “more transparency” that:
Costs Idaho taxpayers MORE money to “study” and “publicly meet about” cloud seeding.
Bakes into Idaho statute liability protections for cloud seeding operations.
Don’t we already have enough of #1 and #2? When is enough enough?
Just say NO to S1269! Let’s stop this crime of cloud seeding in Idaho.
Transcript Summary (ai assisted, edited; image from article)
Federally mandated public access to cloud seeding reports — including in Idaho — is already available through the federal NOAA library. Duplicating this information is unnecessary.
How to Access NOAA Weather Modification Reports
Search "NOAA weather modification reports" or use this URL: library.noaa.gov/weathe….
Scroll to the search bar at the bottom.
Enter terms like "Idaho," "snake," or "Boise" to find reports.
Examples include joint projects with Utah and Eastern Idaho projects.
Example Report: Idaho Power Central Mountain Project 2024-2025
Details ground-based generators, number, and agent used (modifying agent only, not full flare contents).
Includes airborne operations and locations.
No environmental impact statement submitted.
Flood index for potential flooding.
Termination protocols.
Map with general locations. This is one of multiple projects; others available via the link.
Another Example Report
Lists precipitation (possible typo).
No environmental impact statement.
Safety procedures not marked.
Map with longitude and latitude for generators (removed from some recent reports). These are initial reports required by the Weather Modification Act of 1976.
Interim Reports
Show seeding days per month (e.g., November, December).
List modifying agent (not all materials).
Example from 2025 for Eastern Idaho project.
Final Reports
Marked as final.
Example from 2022 lists silver iodide.
Another project introduces liquid propane for warmer temperature seeding, for testing dispersal rates.
Federal Requirements
15 Code of Federal Regulations § 908: ecfr.gov/current/title-…
Initial reports: Designation of activities, materials used, etc.
Interim reports: Required submissions.
Final reports: Required.
Supplemental reports also mandated. Applies to all U.S. weather modification activities.
Comparison to S1269
Sara writes:
We already transparency and access to IWRB cloud seeding board meetings as well as time for public comment. SB 1269 also attempts to codify the liability exemption language currently in Idaho statute:
(5) The act of cloud seeding pursuant to a project funded in whole or in part by the state of Idaho or authorized by the state water resource board shall not be the basis of any claim of liability, including but not limited to trespass or public or private nuisance, and shall not require any state or local permits.
S1269 specifies locations of ground generators, flight paths, amount and type of cloud seeding, activities, suspension periods, methods, individuals/organizations/entities.
This information is already available via NOAA. Federal government requires it; no need for duplicated Idaho system.
Related
Idaho Legislature – Recommended Yes/No Votes on Geoengineering / Cloud Seeding Bills: tinyurl.com/mr33cey3
Big E Action Items > Weather Engineering: tinyurl.com/9x4yzx3n
