Letter to the Editor, submitted by JoAnne Rademacher, Foxholm and published in the Minot Daily News

I’m writing today to voice my concerns regarding Weather Modification, an issue that will be on our June 9 Primary Ballot.

This project is wasting my tax dollars on scientifically unproven technology and theories having no benefit to Ward County. It is taking funding away from more important county services. What began as a means of reducing risk of crop failure due to weather, has failed and become a cash cow for special interests with total lack of oversight by any county or state entity.

A National Resource Council Study was published in 2004. Every previously published study regarding Weather Modification was examined, and the conclusion was, “There is no scientifically credible evidence that hail can be suppressed.”

Since 2006, the Weather Modification Project has wasted $4,275,000 trying and failing to suppress hail in Ward County. If this project is continued, Ward County will spend another $1,326,000 on it over the next 5 years with an additional $663,000 from the state. Remember, this is all money out of my pocket and yours!

How many park improvements, library books, potholes, traffic signs or other road improvements could be paid for with those dollars? That money could also go into law enforcement, the county extension service or property tax relief.

The Weather Modification Project began 50 years ago as an experiment to increase rainfall. When that failed, the plan moved to hail suppression. In ensuing years, farmers have seen rainstorms interrupted, resulting in less rain on our fields. There has been no reduction in hail and our crop hail insurance premiums remain high. In 2019 alone, vast areas of Ward County crops were damaged by hail.

Many farmers recognized years ago that the project failed to meet its goals. Unfortunately, a cartel of special interests has taken the reins and continues to benefit from it even though farmers have fought for years to discontinue Weather Modification in Ward County.

I’ve attended Weather Modification Board meetings and informational meetings and witnessed firsthand, the total lack of oversight on this project. Everyone from the Governor’s Office to the State Water/Atmospheric Resources Board to the Ward County Commissioners and State’s Attorney have passed the buck on oversight. At one point, the County Commissioners did try to de-fund the project but later reinstated it. Now they have referred it to a vote of the people.

It is up to you and me to Vote NO on the Weather Modification Project on the June 9 Primary Ballot. If we don’t stop it, millions more of our tax dollars will be thrown away on Weather Modification while more pressing needs are cheated out of those funds.

Please, STOP it now with your NO vote!