FACT SHEET:

Cloud Seeding Research Project

 

 

The Technology of Cloud Seeding

·             Minute amounts of silver iodide will be discharged into winter storm clouds from ground generators.

·             An inert tracer agent will also be used to help measure and evaluate snow that is the direct result of cloud seeding.

·             The proposed five-year research project in the Kosciuszko National Park will target a 1,000 km2 area.  The Jagungal Wilderness area will be excluded.

·             Cloud seeding will only be carried out during winter storms, targeting areas above 1400 metres – times and locations when people are not likely to be present.

·             Seeding would only happen in two out of every three winter storms.

·             Advanced technologies used would ensure the extra precipitation falls only as snow and not as rain.

·             The amount of extra snowfall is not expected to be more than 10 per cent of the long-term average.

 

 

Environmental Assessment:

·             An 11-member expert panel reviewed the proposed trial and concluded that the research project:

o      would not have a significant adverse impact on the environment,

o      would not have a negative impact on precipitation in areas downwind of the target area,

o      would not impact the conservation values of the Park, and

o      would have no adverse consequences on the outstanding scientific values of the Kosciuszko National Park and the ability of the Park to be listed on the World Heritage Register.

·             It also concluded the impact of silver iodide and tracer agent will be negligible given that the compound will be used in ultra-trace quantities over a large target area, it is not water soluble and will not be readily bioavailable.

·             The expert panel indicated the research project presents an opportunity to mitigate adverse impacts of long-term climate change on the alpine regions of the Kosciuszko National Park.

·             More consistent snow cover may also help some of our endangered animals.  Snow-dependent species such as the Mountain Pygmy Possum and the Corroboree Frog rely on a consistent snow cover to survive and breed.

·             A preliminary assessment by the Department of Environment and Conservation also found that any adverse impacts on the environment would be minimal.

 
Fact Sheet, Page 2

 

 

Research Controls

 

·             The Natural Resources Commission will monitor and assess the results from the research project and report to Government.

 

·             The Minister for Infrastructure and Planning and the Minister for the Environment will be able to place conditions on the research project and stop it if there are any undesirable effects.

 

 

Cloud Seeding In Other Areas of the World

 

·             Winter cloud seeding projects have been conducted throughout the world since the 1950’s.

 

·             Tasmania has conducted commercial and experimental cloud seeing for the last 40 years. 

 

·             The United States began using cloud seeding technology 50 years ago.  There are currently 100 cloud seeding programs taking place in the U.S.

 

·             The design of the research trial has been developed by international cloud seeding experts drawing on results of projects undertaken in other parts of Australia and the U.S.