| Formal Name: | Climate Assessment Response Committee |
| Contact Person: | Committee Chair Assistant Director, Nebraska Agriculture Department, 301 Centennial Mall South 4th Floor, P.O. Box 94947, Lincoln, NE 68509-4947, (402) 471-2341 |
| Purpose: | The Climate Assessment Response Committee (CARC) was created to provide the Governor and the public with timely and systematic data collection, analysis and dissemination of information about drought and other severe climate occurrences. In addition, CARC serves as a vehicle for the improvement of climate monitoring, climate impact assessment and general information flow between agencies. |
| How Many Affectable: | NA |
| How Many Served: | NA |
| Year Created: | 1992 |
| Year Active: | 1992 |
| Sunset Date: | Not specified |
| Authorization Citation: | Nebraska Revised Statute, 2-4901 |
| Parent Agency: | Office of the Governor |
| Number Of Members: | By statute, eight required, others optional |
| Who Appoints: | Governor |
| Legislative Approval: | Five members statutorily named |
| Qualifications Of Members: | The committee shall be composed of representatives appointed by the Governor with the approval of a majority of the Legislature from livestock producers, crop producers, the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency, the Conservation and Survey Division and Cooperative Extension Service of the University of Nebraska. The Director of Agriculture or his or her designee, the chief executive officer of the Department of Health and Human Services or his or her designee, and the Director of Natural Resources or his or her designee shall be ex officio members of the committee. Representatives from the federal Consolidated Farm Service Agency and Federal Crop Insurance Corporation may also serve on the committee at the invitation of the Governor. The chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture of the Legislature and the chairperson of the Committee on Natural Resources of the Legislature shall be nonvoting, ex officio members of the committee. The Governor may appoint a member of the Governor's Policy Research Office and any other state agency representatives or invite any other federal agencies to name representatives as he or she deems necessary. |
| Per Diem: | No |
| Expense Reimbursement: | Yes; actual and necessary expenses |
| Term Length: | Not established by statute |
| Terms Rotate or Expire At Once: |
| Required FY 17-18: | 2 |
| Held FY 17-18: | 2 |
| Required FY 18-19: | 2 |
| Held FY 18-19: | 2 |
| Required FY 19-20: | 2 |
| Held FY 19-20: | 2 |
| Support Staff: | No |
| Shared or Separate: | No |
| FY 17-18 Budget: | $0 |
| FY 18-19 Budget: | $0 |
| FY 19-20 Budget: | $0 |
| Other Funding Sources: | No |
| Spending Authority: | No |
| Since July 1, 2016: | CARC has met twice each year since 2016 as required by statute. There have been no major droughts in Nebraska during that time-period. However, in 2019 the state experienced its worst flooding conditions in its history due to an unprecedented bomb cyclone storm that brought heavy rains, blizzards and rapid melting across the region in early March. In the June and November CARC meetings held that year, CARC members shared how the various agencies and organization responded to the crisis. They discussed ideas of how to plan for future events based on this experience.In general, CARCs primary function is continue to keep the Governor apprised of current drought and water supply statuses in Nebraska, as well as provide the general public information on drought and climate conditions as warranted. The National Drought Mitigation Center, Nebraska State Climate Office and USDA-NASS provide the bulk of reports to keep the CARC members up to date on Nebraska conditions. |