WHAT: USGS Director Charles G. Groat will join Commerce Secretary William Daley, Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman, NOAA Administrator James Baker and National Weather Service Director Jack Kelly for a press conference to discuss the nation's drought status. Dr. Groat will put the drought in historic context and discuss our water situation now, going into the drier summer months. Other USGS scientists will be on hand to discuss the drought and USGS surface and ground-water monitoring programs.

WHEN: Monday, March 13, 2000 at 11 a.m.

WHERE:U.S. Department of Commerce
Herbert C. Hoover Building
14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW
Room 4830
Washington, D.C. 20230

Satellite Coordinates:
11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Telstar 6; Transponder 14; KU
Downlink Frequency 11966.5 MHz (H)
Audio 6.2 & 6.8

As the nation's largest water, earth and biological science and civilian mapping agency the USGS works in cooperation with more than 2000 organizations across the country to provide reliable, impartial, scientific information to resource managers, planners, and other customers. This information is gathered in every state by USGS scientists to minimize the loss of life and property from natural disasters, contribute to sound economic and physical development of the nation's natural resources, and enhance the quality of life by monitoring water, biological, energy, and mineral resources.