[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 194 (Friday, October 4, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51914-51915]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-25520]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Weather Service Modernization and Associated 
Restructuring
AGENCY: National Weather Service (NWS), NOAA, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice and opportunity for public comment.

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SUMMARY: The NWS is publishing the proposed certifications for the 
automation and consolidation of the following Weather Service offices. 
At each office the ASOS will be augmented at the FAA Weather 
Observation Service Level, determined appropriate. See the FAA Weather 
Observation Service Standards published by the FAA at 16 FR 32887 and 
the NWS Weather Service Modernization Criteria for automation published 
at 61 FR 39862.
    (1) Athens Weather Service Office (WSO) which will be automated at 
FAA Weather Observation Service Level C and services consolidated with 
the future Atlanta and Greenville/Spartanburg Weather Forecast Offices 
(WFOs);
    (2) Austin WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather Observation 
Service Level C and services consolidated with the future Austin/San 
Antonio, Houston/Galveston, Dallas/Fort Worth, and San Angelo WFOs;
    (3) Residual Billings WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather 
Observation Service Level B and services consolidated with the future 
Billings WFO;
    (4) Eugene WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather Observation 
Service Level C and services consolidated with the future Portland and 
Medford WFOs; and
    (5) Olympia WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather Observation 
Service Level C and services consolidated with the future Seattle/
Tacoma and Portland WFOs.
In accordance with Public Law 192-567, the public will have 60-days in 
which to comment on these proposed automation and consolidation 
certifications.

DATES: Comments are requested by December 3, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Requests for copies of the proposed automation and 
consolidation packages should be sent to Tom Beaver, Room 12314, 1325 
East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, telephone 301-713-0300. All 
comments should be sent to Tom Beaver at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Julie Scanlon at 301-713-1413.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with section 706 of Public Law 
102-567, the Secretary of Commerce must certify that any automation or 
consolidation will not result in any degradation of service to the 
affected areas of responsibility and must publish the proposed 
automation an consolidation certifications in the FR. Automate means to 
replace employees weather service observations at a field office with 
automated weather service observation equipment and consolidate means 
to remove some personnel from a field office after the commissioning of 
one or more NEXRADs, the decommissioning of the radar operated by that 
office, if any, and the combination of that office's responsibilities 
with those of another field office. The documentation

[[Page 51915]]

supporting each proposed certification includes the following:
    (1) A draft memorandum by the meteorologist(s)-in-charge 
recommending the certification, the final of which will be endorsed by 
the Regional Director and the Assistant Administrator of the NWS is 
appropriate, after consideration of public comments and completion of 
consultation with the Modernization Transition Committee (the 
Committee);
    (2) a description of local weather characteristics and weather-
related concerns which affect the weather services provided within the 
service area;
    (3) a comparison of the services provided within the service area 
and the services to be provided after such action;
    (4) a description of any recent or expected modernization of NWS 
operation which will enhance services in the service area;
    (5) an identification of any area within the affected service area 
which would not receive coverage (at an elevation of 10,000 feet) by 
the next generation weather radar network;
    (6) 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(s), User Confirmation of Services 
Report(s), and the Decommissioning Readiness Report (as applicable); 
and
    (7) 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 ASOS 
Commissioning Report; series of three letters between NWS and FAA 
confirming that weather services will continue in full compliance with 
applicable flight aviation rules after ASOS commissioning; Surface 
Aviation Observation Transition Checklist documenting transfer of 
augmentation and backup responsibility from NWS to FAA; successful 
resolution of ASOS user confirmation of services complaints; and an 
inplace supplementary data program at the responsible WFO(s).
    (8) a letter appointing the liaison officer.
    These proposed certifications do not include any report of the 
Committee which could be submitted in accordance with sections 
706(b)(6) and 707 of Public Law 102-567. At their December 14, 1995 
meeting the Committee members ``* * * resolved that the MTC modify its 
procedure to eliminate proposed certification consultations of 
noncontroversial closing, consolidations, relocations, and automation 
certifications but will provide final consultation on certifications 
after public comment and before final submission to the Secretary of 
Commerce.''
    The above actions all are considered noncontroversial by the NWS. 
Also these proposed certifications do not include the documentation 
supporting them which is too voluminous to publish. Copies of the 
supporting documentation can be obtained through the contact listed 
above.
    Once all public comments have been received and considered, the NWS 
will complete consultation with the Committee and determine whether to 
proceed with the final certification. If a decision to certify is made, 
the Secretary of Commerce must publish the final certification in the 
FR and transmit the certification to the appropriate Congressional 
committees prior to automating and consolidating these offices.

    Dated: October 1, 1996.
Elbert W. Friday, Jr.,
Assistant Administrator for Weather Services.
[FR Doc. 96-25520 Filed 10-3-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-12-M