[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 15, Volume 3]
[Revised as of January 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 15CFR908.3]

[Page 69-70]
 
                  TITLE 15--COMMERCE AND FOREIGN TRADE
 
CHAPTER IX--NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT 
                               OF COMMERCE
 
PART 908_MAINTAINING RECORDS AND SUBMITTING REPORTS ON WEATHER MODIFICATION 
ACTIVITIES--Table of Contents
 
Sec. 908.3  Activities subject to reporting.

    (a) The following, when conducted as weather modification 
activities, shall be subject to reporting:
    (1) Seeding or dispersing of any substance into clouds or fog, to 
alter drop size distribution, produce ice crystals or coagulation of 
droplets, alter the development of hail or lightning, or influence in 
any way the natural development cycle of clouds or their environment;
    (2) Using fires or heat sources to influence convective circulation 
or to evaporate fog;
    (3) Modifying the solar radiation exchange of the earth or clouds, 
through the release of gases, dusts, liquids, or aerosols into the 
atmosphere;
    (4) Modifying the characteristics of land or water surfaces by 
dusting or treating with powders, liquid sprays, dyes, or other 
materials;
    (5) Releasing electrically charged or radioactive particles, or 
ions, into the atmosphere;
    (6) Applying shock waves, sonic energy sources, or other explosive 
or acoustic sources to the atmosphere;
    (7) Using aircraft propeller downwash, jet wash, or other sources of 
artificial wind generation; or
    (8) Using lasers or other sources of electromagnetic radiation.
    (b) In addition to the activities listed above, other similar 
activities falling within the definition of weather modification as set 
forth in Sec. 908.1 are also subject to reporting.
    (c) The requirement for reporting shall not apply to activities of a 
purely local nature that can reasonably be expected not to modify the 
weather outside of the area of operation. This exception is presently 
restricted to the use of lightning deflection or static discharge 
devices in aircraft, boats, or buildings, and to the use of small heat 
sources, fans, fogging devices, aircraft downwash, or sprays to prevent 
the occurrence of frost in tracts or fields planted with crops 
susceptible to frost

[[Page 70]]

or freeze damage. Also expected from the requirement for reporting are 
religious activities or other ceremonies, rites and rituals intended to 
modify the weather.
    (d) All activities noted in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section 
are subject to initial reporting. However, after the Administrator has 
received initial notification of a planned activity, he may waive some 
of the subsequent reporting requirements. This decision to waive certain 
reporting requirements will be based on the general acceptability, from 
a technical or scientific viewpoint, of the apparatus and techniques to 
be used.
    (e) Other reporting exceptions may be made in the future by rule of 
the Administrator.