2-15-3308. Drought and water supply advisory committee. (1) There is a drought and water supply advisory committee in the department of natural resources and conservation.

(2) The drought and water supply advisory committee is chaired by a representative of the governor and consists of representatives of the departments of natural resources and conservation; agriculture; commerce; fish, wildlife, and parks; military affairs; environmental quality; and livestock. The governor's representative must be appointed by the governor, and the representative of each department must be appointed by the head of that department. Additional, nonvoting members who represent federal and local government agencies and public and private interests affected by drought or flooding may also be appointed by the governor.

(3) The drought and water supply advisory committee shall:

(a) with the approval of the governor, develop and implement a state plan that considers drought and flooding;

(b) review and report drought and water supply monitoring information to the public;

(c) coordinate timely drought and flooding impact assessments;

(d) identify areas of the state with a high probability of drought or flooding and target reporting and assistance efforts to those areas;

(e) upon request, assist in organizing local advisory committees for the areas identified under subsection (3)(d);

(f) request state agency staff to provide technical assistance to local advisory committees; and

(g) promote ideas and activities for groups and individuals to consider that may reduce drought or flooding vulnerability.

(4) The drought and water supply advisory committee shall meet, at a minimum, on or around October 15 and March 15 of each year to assess moisture conditions and forecasts and, as appropriate, begin preparations for drought or flood mitigation.

(5) By April 15 of each year, the drought and water supply advisory committee shall submit a report to the governor describing the potential for drought or flooding in the coming year. If the potential for drought or flooding merits additional activity by the drought and water supply advisory committee, the report must also describe:

(a) activities to be taken by the drought and water supply advisory committee for informing the public about the potential impacts of drought or flooding;

(b) a schedule for completing activities;

(c) geographic areas for which the creation of local drought and water supply advisory committees will be suggested to local governments and citizens; and

(d) requests for the use of any available state resources that may be necessary to prevent or minimize drought or flood impacts.

(6) Nothing in this section is intended to remove or interfere with the duties and responsibilities of the governor or the division of disaster and emergency services for disaster coordination and emergency response, as provided in Title 10, chapter 3, part 1. The duties and responsibilities of the drought and water supply advisory committee supplement and are consistent with those of the division of disaster and emergency services for drought or flood planning, preparation, coordination, and mitigation.