[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 15, Volume 3]

[Revised as of January 1, 2006]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 15CFR908.3]



[Page 68]

 

                  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 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.