That 2nd item, “terraforming the West” is most interesting. Drought tends to beget drought, at least until Mo Nature decides to do a big pattern change. Restoring the soil itself could help mitigate droughts both through better water retention and by that retention (less runoff) increasing rains themselves. But, as you said, it is QUITE a project.
How to green the world's deserts and reverse climate change | Allan Savory
50 Years Ago, This Was a Wasteland. He Changed Everything | Short Film Showcase