[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 250 (Friday, December 27, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 68240]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-32899]



[[Page 68240]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


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 National Weather Service (NWS) is publishing proposed 
certifications for the proposed consolidations of:
    (1) Evansville Weather Service Office (WSO) into the future 
Paducah, Central Illinois, Indianapolis, and Louisville Weather 
Forecast Offices (WFO);
    (2) Wichita Falls WSO into the future Oklahoma City and Dallas/Fort 
Worth WFOs; and
    (3) Astoria WSO into the future Portland WFO.
    In accordance with Public Law 102-567, the public will have 60-days 
in which to comment on these proposed consolidation certifications.

DATES: Comments are requested by February 25, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Requests for copies of the proposed consolidation packages 
should be sent to Tom Beaver, Room 09356, 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 301-713-1698 ext 151.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with section 706 of Public Law 
102-567, the Secretary of Commerce must certify that these 
consolidations will not result in any degradation of service to the 
affected areas of responsibility and must publish the proposed 
consolidation certifications in the FR. The documentation supporting 
each proposed certification includes the following:
    (1) A draft memorandum by the meteorologist-in-charge recommending 
the certification, the final of which will be endorsed by the Regional 
Director and the Assistant Administrator of the NWS if 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) 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(c) of Public Law 102-567. In December 1995 the 
Committee decided that, in general, they would forego the optional 
consultation on proposed certifications. Instead, the Committee would 
just review certifications after the public comment period had closed 
so their consultation would be with the benefit of public comments that 
had been submitted.
    This notice does not include the complete certification packages 
because they are too voluminous to publish. Copies of the certification 
packages and 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 certifications. If decisions to certify are 
made, the Secretary of Commerce must publish the final certifications 
in the FR and transmit the certifications to the appropriate 
Congressional committees prior to consolidating the offices.

    Dated: December 20, 1996.
Elbert W. Friday, Jr.,
Assistant Administrator for Weather Services.
[FR Doc. 96-32899 Filed 12-26-96; 8:45 am]
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