Prospectus Question 16: Identify critical components, mechanisms, and pathways that have lead to successful utilization of climate information by water managers. This issue is addressed in numerous ways, including discussion of various approaches, such as development of boundary institutions, long-term collaboration, and end-to end forecasts, as well as discussions of individuals’ perceptions of risks and of the case of the Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessment centers.

Prospectus Question 17: Discuss how these findings can be transferred to other sectors. This issue is not addressed in the document in any detail.

Prospectus Question 18: Discuss options for (a) improving the use of existing forecasts/data products and (b) identify other user needs and challenges in order to prioritize research for improving forecasts and products. The closing discussion of research needs includes several important items, but it does not address issues of communicating uncertainty that are seen as priorities in the recent NRC reports, Decision Making for the Environment (2005) and Completing the Forecast (2006). The document will be greatly enhanced by addressing more clearly the need for vulnerability assessments. Only one of the case studies included to support the discussion in section 4.6 addresses issues of vulnerability. There is much more literature that could be introduced to support this case. Similarly, the discussion of barriers and obstacles might note a lack of information on the implications of smaller scale tailored products.