[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 4 (Tuesday, January 7, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 981-982]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-224]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The NWS is publishing proposed certifications for the 
automation and closure of the following Weather Service offices at the 
indicated FAA Weather Observation Service Level:
    (1) Chicago-O'Hare (AV) Weather Service Office (WSO) which will be 
automated at FAA Weather Observation Service Level A and with services 
being provided by the future Chicago Weather Forecast Office (WFO);
    (2) Columbia WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather Observation 
Service Level C and with services being provided by the future St. 
Louis, Kansas City/Pleasant Hill and Springfield WFOs';
    (3) Detroit WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather Observation 
Service Level A and with services being provided by the future Detroit 
WFO;
    (4) Flint WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather Observation 
Service Level B and with services being provided by the future Detroit 
WFO;
    (5) Residual Moline WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather 
Observation Service Level B and with services being provided by the 
future Quad Cities WFO;
    (6) Sioux City WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather 
Observation Service Level C and with services being provided by the 
future Sioux Falls and Omaha WFOs;
    (7) Akron WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather Observation 
Service Level A and with services being provided by the future 
Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Charleston, WV WFOs;
    (8) Allentown WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather 
Observation Service Level C and with services being provided by the 
future Philadelphia, Binghamton and Central Pennsylvania WFOs;
    (9) Atlantic City WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather 
Observation Service Level C and with services being provided by the 
future Philadelphia WFO;
    (10) Baltimore WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather 
Observation Service Level A and with services being provided by the 
future Baltimore, MD/Washington D.C., Philadelphia and Wakefield WFOs. 
As the only field office in Maryland, an evaluation of services to in-
state users, included in the meteorologist-in-charge's memorandum 
recommending certification, has concluded that users in Maryland are 
receiving equal or better services from the future Baltimore, MD/
Washington D.C., Philadelphia and Wakefield WFOs.
    (11) Residual Boston WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather 
Observation Service Level A and with services being provided by the 
future Boston WFO;
    (12) Bridgeport WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather 
Observation Service Level C and with services being provided by the 
future New York City WFO;
    (13) Residual Charleston, West Virginia WSO which will be automated 
at FAA Weather Observation Service Level B and with services being 
provided by the future Charleston WFO;
    (14) Columbus, Ohio WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather 
Observation Service Level A and with services being provided by the 
future Cincinnati, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Charleston, WV WFOs;
    (15) Dayton WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather Observation 
Service Level A and with services being provided by the future 
Cincinnati WFO;
    (16) Hartford WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather 
Observation Service Level A and with services being provided by the 
future Boston, New York City and Albany WFOs;
    (17) Lynchburg WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather 
Observation Service Level C and with services being provided by the 
future Roanoke WFO;
    (18) Mansfield WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather 
Observation Service Level C and with services being provided by the 
future Cleveland WFO;
    (19) Norfolk WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather Observation 
Service Level B and with services being provided by the future 
Wakefield WFO;
    (20) Residual Portland, Maine WSO which will be automated at FAA 
Weather Observation Service Level C and with services being provided by 
the future Portland, WFO;
    (21) Providence WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather 
Observation Service Level A and with services being provided by the 
future Boston WFO. As the only field office in Rhode Island, an 
evaluation of services to in-state users, included in the 
meteorologist-in-charge's memorandum recommending certification, has 
concluded that users in Rhode Island are receiving equal or better 
services from the future Boston WFO.
    (22) Residual Raleigh WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather 
Observation Service Level A and with services being provided by the 
future Raleigh/Durham WFO;
    (23) Richmond WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather 
Observation Service Level A and with services being provided by the 
future Wakefield, Baltimore, MD/Washington D.C. and Roanoke WFOs;
    (24) Roanoke WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather Observation 
Service Level C and with services being provided by the future Roanoke 
WFO;
    (25) Toledo WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather Observation 
Service Level C and with services being provided by the future 
Cleveland and Cincinnati WFOs;
    (26) Wilkes-Barre WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather 
Observation Service Level C and with services being provided by the 
future Binghamton and Central Pennsylvania WFOs;
    (27) Williamsport WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather 
Observation Service Level C and with services being provided by the 
future Central Pennsylvania and Binghamton WFOs;
    (28) Wilmington WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather 
Observation Service Level C and with services being provided by the 
future Philadelphia WFO. As the only field office in Delaware, an 
evaluation of services to in-state users, included in the 
meteorologist-in-charge's memorandum

[[Page 982]]

recommending certification, has concluded that users in Delaware are 
receiving equal or better services from the future Philadelphia WFO.
    (29) Worcester WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather 
Observation Service Level C and with services being provided by the 
future Boston WFO;
    (30) Youngstown WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather 
Observation Service Level B and with services being provided by the 
future Cleveland and Pittsburgh WFOs;
    (31) Residual Atlanta WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather 
Observation Service Level A and with services being provided by the 
future Atlanta WFO;
    (32) Baton Rouge WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather 
Observation Service Level B and with services being provided by the 
future New Orleans/Baton Rouge, Lake Charles and Jackson WFOs;
    (33) Daytona Beach WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather 
Observation Service Level B and with services being provided by the 
future Melbourne and Jacksonville WFOs;
    (34) Residual El Paso WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather 
Observation Service Level B and with services being provided by the 
future El Paso WFO;
    (35) Knoxville WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather 
Observation Service Level B and with services being provided by the 
future Knoxville/Tri-Cities and Nashville WFOs;
    (36) Residual Lubbock WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather 
Observation Service Level B and with services being provided by the 
future Lubbock WFO;
    (37) Montgomery WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather 
Observation Service Level B and with services being provided by the 
future Birmingham, Mobile and Tallahassee WFOs;
    (38) Residual Oklahoma City WSO which will be automated at FAA 
Weather Observation Service Level A and with services being provided by 
the future Oklahoma City WFO;
    (39) Residual San Antonio WSO which will be automated at FAA 
Weather Observation Service Level A and with services being provided by 
the future Austin/San Antonio WFO;
    (40) Residual Tulsa WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather 
Observation Service Level A and with services being provided by the 
future Tulsa WFO;
    (41) West Palm Beach WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather 
Observation Service Level B and with services being provided by the 
future Miami and Melbourne WFOs;
    (42) Residual San Diego WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather 
Observation Service Level A and with services being provided by the 
future San Diego WFO; and
    (43) Stockton WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather 
Observation Service Level C and with services being provided by the 
future Sacramento WFO.
    In accordance with Pub. Law 102-567, the public will have 60 days 
in which to comment on these proposed automation and closure 
certifications.

DATES: Comments are requested by March 10, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Requests for copies of the proposed automation and closure 
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 Pub. Law 
102-567, the Secretary of Commerce must certify that these automations 
and closures will not result in any degradation of service to the 
affected areas of responsibility and must publish the proposed 
automation and closure certification in the FR. The documentation 
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 NMS 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 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 in-
place supplementary data program at the responsible WFO(s);
    (7) Warning and forecast verification statistics for pre-modernized 
and modernized services which were utilized in determining that 
services have not been degraded;
    (8) An Air Safety Appraisal for offices which are located on an 
airport; and
    (9) 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 Pub. 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 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 
committee prior to automating and closing these offices.

    Dated: December 31, 1996.
Elbert W. Friday, Jr.,
Assistant Administrator for Weather Services.
[FR Doc. 97-224 Filed 1-6-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-12-M