Memorandum on Building National Capabilities for Long-Term Drought Resilience
Issued 2016-03-21 by Barack Obama
Plain-English Overview
AI-generated summary explaining what this action does, who it affects, and why it matters
This presidential memorandum directs federal agencies to work together on helping communities prepare for and respond to droughts. It makes permanent a coordination effort called the National Drought Resilience Partnership, which was previously outlined in the President's Climate Action Plan. The partnership brings together multiple federal agencies to better support state, local, and tribal governments dealing with drought conditions.
The action affects communities nationwide that face drought threats, including farmers who depend on adequate water for crops, residents who need reliable drinking water supplies, and local governments responsible for critical infrastructure. Federal agencies are directed to share data about drought conditions, communicate drought risks to local officials, and help communities build their own planning capacity. The memorandum emphasizes that states, tribes, and local water users maintain primary control over their drought response, with the federal government serving a supporting role.
This matters because drought impacts millions of Americans each year, threatening agricultural production, drinking water quality and quantity, ecosystem health, and critical infrastructure. By coordinating federal efforts and helping local communities prepare in advance rather than just responding to emergencies, the memorandum aims to reduce the economic and health impacts of future droughts. The approach seeks partnerships across all levels of government and with the private sector to develop new technologies and expand water supply options.
AI-generated summary for educational purposes
Constitutional Analysis
How this action fits (or doesn't) within Article II authority and existing law
This presidential memorandum ("Memorandum on Building National Capabilities for Long-Term Drought Resilience") provides direction to executive branch agencies. The stated purpose: "drought resilience and complement drought preparedness, planning, and implementation efforts of State, regional, tribal, and local institutions." Presidential memoranda function similarly to executive orders but are typically more narrow in scope, addressing specific agencies or implementation details. The President's authority to direct executive branch operations is grounded in Article II of the Constitution.
Memoranda are a routine administrative tool. They guide agencies on priorities, interpretation of statutes, and implementation procedures. As long as they operate within the bounds of existing law and respect congressional mandates, they are a standard exercise of presidential power that every modern administration has used.
Official Summary
Administration of Barack Obama, 2016 Memorandum on Building National Capabilities for Long-Term Drought Resilience March 21, 2016 Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies Subject: Building National Capabilities for Long-Term Drought Resilience By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby direct the following: Section 1. Purpose . Our Nation must sustain and expand efforts to reduce the vulnerability of communities to the impacts of drought. Every year, drought affects millions of Americans and poses a serious and growing threat to the security and economies of communities nationwide. Drought presents challenges to the viability of agricultural production and to the quantity and quality of drinking water supplies that communities and industries depend upon. Drought jeopardizes the integrity of critical infrastructure, causes extensive economic and health impacts, harms ecosystems, and increases energy costs. In responding to and recovering from past droughts, we have learned that focused collaboration across all levels of government and the private sector is critical to enable productive and workable solutions to build regional resilience to drought. </P