A new multi-agency, comprehensive Texas drought information Web site, http://agrilife.tamu.edu/drought has been established by The Drought Joint Information Center, a group of state and federal agency public information officers, led by Texas AgriLife Communications, who were activated by the Governor's Division of Emergency Management.

Participating agencies include: Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Texas Water Development Board, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Texas Forest Service, Texas Animal Health Commission, Texas Department of Agriculture, Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Department of Transportation and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

The Center provides a central clearing house of drought-related public information and education to help each of the participating agencies perform their designated public service roles. It provides timely and consistent drought-related news including historic and forecasted National Weather Service rainfall information, water updates from state water authorities, and agricultural drought damage assessment updates as provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Services Agency, state agricultural economists and other recognized experts.

All information on the Web site is public information and is available for producers, industry groups, county officials, the media and anyone needing creditable, consistent Texas drought-related information.

The Web site is designed to be a no-frills information center that's activated during times of prolonged and widespread drought in Texas. The Drought Joint Information Center and its Web site operate at the discretion of the Governor's Division of Emergency Management.

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