[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 218 (Monday, November 13, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56978-56981]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-27745]
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[[Page 56979]]
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Final Certification for the Consolidation of Galveston Weather
Service Office and Los Angeles Residual Weather Service Office
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: On June 26, 1995 (60 FR 32943), the National Weather Service
(NWS) published proposed consolidation certifications for the
consolidations of:
(1) The Galveston Weather Service Office (WSO) into the future
Houston/Galveston Weather Forecast Office (WFO); and
(2) The residual Los Angeles WSO into the future Los Angeles WFO in
accordance with Pub. Law 102-567. The public had 60-days in which to
comment on these proposed certifications. After considering comments
received and consulting with the Modernization Transition Committee
(MTC), the NWS has determined that these actions will not result in any
degration of service to the affected areas and has so certified. In
accordance with Pub. Law 102-567,the Secretary of Commerce transmitted
these certifications to the Congress, and the NWS is now publishing the
final certifications together with a summary of the supporting
documentation.
EFFECTIVE DATE: November 13, 1995.
ADDRESSES: Requests for copies of the final consolidation certification
package(s) should be sent to Janet Gilmer, Room 12316, 1325 East-West
Highway, Silver Spring, ME 20910.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Julie Scanlon at 301-713-1413.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Weather Service is
consolidating its Galveston WSO with the future Houston/Galveston WFO
and its Residual Los Angeles WSO with the future Los Angeles WFO. Based
on the recommendations of the respective Meteorologist-in-Charge (MIC),
on September 26, 1995, the Assistant Administrator of the NWS certified
that these consolidations will not result in any degradation of service
to the affected service areas as required by section 706 of the Pub.
Law 102-567. On October 23, 1995 the Secretary of Commerce transmitted
these certifications to Congress. The NWS is now completing the
certification requirements by publishing the final consolidation
Certifications in the Federal Register.
Published with this notice are (1) the Certifications by the
Assistant Administrator of the NWS; (2) memorandum from Bill Read, MIC
of future WFO Houston/Galveston, endorsed by Harry S. Hassel, Director,
Southern Region; and (3) memorandum from Todd Morris, MIC of future WFO
Los Angeles, endorsed by Dr. Thomas D. Potter, Director, Western
Region. These memoranda recommend certification, summarize the basis
for the recommendation, and set forth the supporting documentation
required by the Pub. Law 102-567. However, this supporting
documentation is too voluminous to publish with this notice and can be
obtained through the contact listed in ADDRESSES. For each
certification this material includes:
(1) A Description of local weather characteristics and weather-
related concerns which affect the weather services provided within the
service area;
(2) A detailed comparison of services provided within the service
area and the services to be provided after such action;
(3) A description of any recent or expected modernization of NWS
operations which enhance services in the service area;
(4) An identification of any area within Texas or California which
would not receive coverage (at an elevation of 10,000 feet) by the next
generation weather radar network;
(5) Evidence, based upon operational demonstration of modernized
NWS operations, which was considered in reaching the conclusion that no
degradation in service will result from such action including the WSR-
88D Radar Commissioning Report, User Confirmation of Services Report,
and the radar Decommissioning Readiness Report;
(6) A letter appointing the liaison officer; and
(7) The recommendations of the MTC made at its June 14, 1995
meeting and the final consultation made at the September 14, 1995 MTC
meeting.
The memoranda recommending certification considered the public
comment received on the proposed certification during the 60-day
comment periods. One comment was received. This comment and response is
set forth here for reference:
Comment: Mr. Peter J. Nuhn objected to the proposed consolidation
certifications of the Galveston and residual Los Angeles Weather
Service Offices (WSO). The comment set forth three concerns as the
basis for this objection:
(1) These proposed consolidations violate the Weather Service
Modernization Act, Public Law 102-567, and the Strategic Plan for
Modernization and Associated Restructuring of the National Weather
Service by proceeding with these consolidation certifications before
all new technologies (ASOS, NEXRAD, GOES-Next and AWIPS) have been
deployed, made operational, and demonstrated to not cause a degradation
of service.
(2) It is premature to recommend consolidation certifications
before it can be demonstrated that the NEXRADs involved are meeting
availability requirements.
(3) It is premature to recommend consolidation certifications until
staff at future WFOs Houston and Los Angeles have been fully trained on
new satellite products being generated by GOES-Next.
Response: The NWS is in compliance with the Weather Service
Modernization Act. The NWS proposes these consolidation certifications
in full compliance with the agency regulations implementing the Act
that were published in the Federal Register on December 3, 1993, and
final modernization criteria for consolidation certification that were
published in the Federal Register on March 2, 1994. Specific responses
to the above three concerns are:
(1) The NWS is implementing the modernization in a two stage
transition as described in agency regulations and the Strategic Plan
for Modernization and Associated Restructuring of the National Weather
Service, as well as in the annual National Implementation Plan. In
these documents the NWS describes its' intent and rationale for
proceeding with automation, consolidation, and relocation
certifications for WSO Galveston and residual WSO Los Angeles satisfy
all of the final modernization criteria for this type of action. The
NWS consulted with the National Research Council's Modernization
Committee and the Modernization Transition Committee. The NWS also
invited the public to submit comments during the process of
establishing modernization criteria. These criteria envision that the
availability of AWIPS (Mr. Nuhn's particular concern) will be a
prerequisite for closure but not consolidation.
(2) The NWS has demonstrated that the NEXRADs involved are meeting
availability requirements. The NWS has complied with the modernization
criteria for a consolidation certification by the commissioning of the
NEXRAD(s) (i.e. WSR-88D (s)) which will be providing radar coverage for
the affected service area. As part of this WSR-88D commissioning
process, the NWS
[[Page 56980]]
requires ``at least 96 percent availability of the radar coded message
for a period of at least 30 consecutive days prior to commissioning''
to demonstrate that the WSR-88D is meeting the availability
requirements. See modernization criteria I.2.d., ``Satisfactory Support
of Associated NWS Forecasting and Warning Services''.
The NWS commissioned the WSR-88D covering the WSO Galveston
affected service area on March 23, 1994. The Meteorologist-In-Charge of
NWSO Houston determined that the radar did in fact meet NWS
Modernization Criteria I.2.d. (item 4a on the WSR-88D Site Component
Commissioning Checklist) as indicated by a check mark in the
satisfactory column and his approval signature. This approval was based
on radar coded message availability statistics for this WSR-88D
collected between January 10, 1994 and February 23, 1994 which showed
greater than 96 percent availability.
The NWS commissioned the WSR-88D covering the residual WSO Los
Angeles affected service area on December 16, 1994. The Meteorologist-
In-Charge of NWSFO Los Angeles determined the NWS had met Modernization
criteria I.2.d. (item 4a on the WSR-88D Site Component Commissioning
Checklist) as indicated by a check mark in the satisfactory column and
his approval signature. The NWS based its' approval on the radar coded
message availability statistics for this WSR-88D collected between
February 12, 1994 and December 16, 1994, which showed greater than 96
percent availability.
(3) The NWS has taken all prerequisite steps to comply with
modernization criteria for consolidation certifications including: WSR-
88D commissioning, user confirmation of services, and existing radar
decommissioning. These criteria do not require staff training on new
satellite products being generated by GOES-Next. GOES-Next will
eventually provide enhanced and new satellite products to WFOs during
Stage 2 of the modernization. During Stage 1, NWSO Houston and NWSFO
Los Angeles will continue to receive existing GOES satellite products
on which staff at these offices have already been trained.
Dated: November 3, 1995.
Elbert W. Friday, Jr.,
Assistant Administrator for Weather Services.
Certification
Weather Service Office Consolidation
I hereby certify that there will be no degradation in weather
services to the Galveston service area as a result of the
consolidation of the Galveston Weather Service Office with the
future Houston/Galveston Weather Forecast Office. I have considered
the recommendation of the responsible Meteorologist in Charge, Bill
Read, as endorsed by Southern Region Director Harry Hassel and have
reviewed the attached documentation provided in compliance with the
Weather Service Modernization Act that supports this recommendation.
Susan F. Zevin for Elbert W. Friday, Jr.,
Assistant Administrator for Weather Services.
Attachments
September 18, 1995.
Memorandum For: Harry S. Hassel, Director, Southern Region
From: Bill Read, MIC, NWSO Houston/Galveston, TX
Subject: Recommendation for Consolidation Certification
After reviewing the attached documentation, I have determined,
in my professional judgment, consolidation of the Galveston Weather
Service Office (WSO) with the future Houston/Galveston Weather
Forecast Office (WFO) will not result in any degradation in weather
services to the Galveston service area. This proposed certification
is in accordance with the advance notification provided in the
National Implementation Plan. Accordingly, I am recommending you
approve this action in accordance with section 706 of Public Law
102-567. If you concur, please endorse this recommendation and
forward this package to the Assistant Administrator for Weather
Services for final certification. Dr. Friday, in turn, will forward
the certification to the Secretary for transmittal to Congress.
My recommendation is based on my review of the pertinent
evidence and application of the modernization criteria for
consolidation of a field office. In summary:
1. A description of local weather characteristics and weather-
related concerns affecting the weather services provided in the
Galveston service area is included as attachment A. As discussed
below, I find that providing the services which address these
characteristics and concerns from Houston/Galveston WFO will not
degrade these services.
2. A detailed list of the services currently provided within the
Galveston service area from the Galveston WSO location and a list of
services to be provided from the Houston/Galveston WFO location
after consolidation is included as attachment B. Comparison of these
services shows that all services currently provided will continue to
be provided after the proposed consolidation. Also, the enclosed map
shows the WSO Galveston Area of Responsibility (i.e. ``Affected
Service Area'') and the future WFO Houston/Galveston Area of
Responsibility. As discussed below, I find that there will be no
degradation in the quality of these services as a result of the
consolidation.
3. A description of the recent or expected modernization of
National Weather Service (NWS) operations which will enhance
services in the WSO Galveston service area is included as attachment
C. The new technology (i.e. ASOS, WSR-88D, and AWIPS) has or will be
installed and will enhance services.
4. A map showing planned NEXRAD coverage at an elevation of
10,000 feet for Texas is included as attachment D. NWS operational
radar coverage for the specific service area will be increased and
no area will be missed in coverage.
5. The following evidence, based upon operational demonstration
of modernized NWS operations, played a key role in concluding there
will be no degradation of service.
A. The WSR-88D Radar Commissioning Report, attachment E,
validates that the WSR-88D meets technical specifications
(acceptance test); is fully operational (satisfactory operation of
system interfaces and satisfactory support of associated NWS
forecasting and warning services); service backup capabilities are
functioning properly; a full set of operations and maintenance
documentation is available; and spare parts and test equipment and
trained operations and maintenance personnel are available on site.
Training was completed but two national work-arounds remain in
effect.
B. The User Confirmation of Services, attachment F, documents
that only two negative comments were received. Both of the negative
comments have been answered to the satisfaction of the commentors as
stated in the Service Confirmation Report.
C. The Decommissioning Readiness Report, attachment G, verifies
that the existing Galveston WSR-57 radar is no longer needed to
support services or products for local office operations.
6. A memorandum assigning the liaison officer for the Galveston
service area is included as attachment H.
I have considered recommendations of the Modernization
Transition Committee (Committee) (attachment I) and the one public
comment received during the comment period (attachment J). On
September 14, 1995, the Committee voted to endorse the proposed
consolidation (attachment K). I believe all negative comments have
been addressed to the satisfaction of our customers and I continue
to recommend this certification.
Endorsement
I, Harry S. Hassel, Director, Southern Region, endorse this
consolidation certification.
Dated: September 20, 1995
Harry S. Hassel
Attachments
Certification
Weather Service Office Consolidation
I hereby certify that there will be no degradation in weather
services to the Los Angeles service area as a result of the
consolidation of the Residual Los Angeles Weather Service Office
with the future Los Angeles Weather Forecast Office. I have
considered the recommendation of the responsible Meteorologist in
Charge, Todd Morris, as endorsed by Western Region Director Thomas
D. Potter, and have reviewed the attached documentation provided in
compliance with the Weather
[[Page 56981]]
Service Modernization Act that supports this recommendation.
Susan F. Zevin for Elbert W. Friday, Jr.,
Assistant Administrator for Weather Services.
Attachments
September 14, 1995.
Memorandum For: Thomas D. Potter, Director, Western Region
From: Todd Morris, AM/MIC NWSFO Los Angeles
Subject: Recommendation for Consolidation Certification
A change of operations occurred at the Los Angeles Weather
Service Forecast Office (WSFO) in October 1993 when most personnel
were transferred to the facility of the future Los Angeles Weather
Forest Office (WFO) in Oxnard, California to operate the WSR-88D and
assume forecast and warning responsibility for the Los Angeles
service area. At the same time this office has been designated a
Residual Weather Service Office (RWSO) at the original WSFO location
to continue operating the existing WSR-74C radar.
After reviewing the attached documentation, I have determined,
in my professional judgement, consolidation of the Los Angeles
Residual Weather Service Office (RWSO) with the future Los Angeles/
Oxnard Weather Forecast Office (WFO) will not result in any
degradation in weather services to the Los Angeles service area.
This proposed certification is in accordance with the advance
notification provided in the National Implementation Plan.
Accordingly, I am recommending that you approve this action in
accordance with section 706 of Public Law 102-567. If you concur,
please endorse this recommendation and forward this package to the
Assistant Administrator for Weather Services for final
certification. If Dr. Friday approves, he will forward the
certification to the Secretary for approval and transmittal to
Congress.
My recommendation is based on my review of the pertinent
evidence and application of the modernization criteria for
consolidation of a field office. In summary:
1. A description of local weather characteristics and weather-
related concerns affecting the weather services provided in the pre-
modernized Los Angeles service area is included as attachment A. As
discussed below, I find that providing the services which address
these characteristics and concerns from the Los Angeles/Oxnard WFO
will not degrade these services.
2. A detailed list of the services currently provided from the
Los Angeles RWSO location and comparable services to be provided
from the Los Angeles/Oxnard WFO location after consolidation is
included as attachment B. Comparison of these services shows that
all services currently provided will continue to be provided after
the proposed consolidation. I find that there will be no degradation
in the quality of these services as a result of the consolidation.
3. A description of the recent or expected modernization of
National Weather Service (NWS) operations which will enhance
services in the pre-modernized Los Angeles service area is included
as attachment C. The new technology (i.e. ASOS, WSR-88D, and AWIPS)
has or will be installed and will enhance services.
4. A map showing planned NEXRAD coverage at an elevation of
10,000 feet for California is included as attachment D. NWS
operational radar coverage for the Los Angeles service area will be
vastly increased and will not degrade services.
It should be noted that neither the old radar network nor the
NEXRAD include coverage of a small mountainous area in the northeast
corner of the service area. Therefore this does not represent a
degradation of radar coverage or services.
5. The following evidence, based upon operational demonstration
of modernized NWS operations, played a key role in concluding there
will be no degradation of service.
A. the WSR-88D RADAR Commissioning Report, attachment E,
validates that the WSR-88D meets technical specifications
(acceptance test); is fully operational (satisfactory operation of
system interfaces and satisfactory support of associated NWS
forecasting and warning services); service backup capabilities are
functioning properly; a full set of operations and maintenance
documentation is available; and spare parts and test equipment and
trained operations and maintenance personnel are available on site.
Training was completed. There were two national work-arounds. One of
these has been satisfied while the other one remains in effect.
B. The User Confirmation of Services, attachment F, documents
that only two negative comments were received. Both of the negative
comments have been answered to the satisfaction of the commentors as
stated in the service Confirmation Report.
C. The Decommissioning Readiness Report, attachment G, verifies
that the existing Los Angeles WSR-74C radar is no longer needed to
support services or products for local office operations.
6. A memorandum assigning the liaison officer for the Los
Angeles service area is included as attachment H.
I have considered recommendations of the Modernization
Transition Committee (attachment I) and the one public comment
received during the comment period (attachment J). On September 14,
1995, the Committee voted to endorse the proposed consolidation
(attachment K). I believe all negative comments have been addressed
to the satisfaction of our customers and I continue to recommend
this certification.
Endorsement
I, Thomas D. Potter, Director, Western Region, endorse this
consolidation certification.
Dated: September 15, 1995.
James L. Campbell for Thomas D. Potter.
[FR Doc. 95-27745 Filed 11-9-95; 8:45 am]
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