The New Weather Modification Law for Illinois

Abstract

The Illinois State Water Survey, a state water resources research agency, initiated efforts in 1971 to develop and secure a law for Illinois that would permit and regulate weather modification activities. Such legislation was deemed a prime requirement, not only for the proper execution of scientific experiments on weather modification in Illinois but for the general benefit of citizens of Illinois through encouragement to properly conducted activities and protection from improperly conducted weather modification operations. (It was our intention to develop a ?model law? that reflected the best aspects of weather modification legislation and experience in other states, and which would serve as a model for future legislation in other states.) The efforts began in October 1971 and were completed in September 1973 with the signing of the Illinois Weather Modification Control Bill and its accompanying appropriation bill. This paper describes the type of law desired, the activities performed to secure the law, and the primary aspects of the enacted Illinois law.