[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 4 (Tuesday, January 7, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 983-984]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-225]



[[Page 983]]

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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 proposed certifications for the 
consolidation, automation, and closure of the following Weather Service 
offices at the indicated FAA Weather Observation Service Level:
    (1) Fargo Weather Service Office (WSO) which will be automated at 
FAA Weather Observation Service Level C and have its services 
consolidated into the future Eastern North Dakota, Bismarck, Aberdeen, 
and Minneapolis Weather Forecast Offices (WFOs);
    (2) Muskegon WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather Observation 
Service Level B and have its services consolidated into the future 
Grand Rapids and North Central Lower Michigan WFOs;
    (3) Residual Rapid City WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather 
Observation Service Level C and have its services consolidated into the 
future Rapid City WFO;
    (4) Springfield WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather 
Observation Service Level C and have its services consolidated into the 
future Central Illinois and St. Louis WFOs;
    (5) Asheville WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather 
Observation Service Level C and have its services consolidated into the 
future Greenville/Spartanburg, Knoxville/Tri-Cities, and Roanoke WFOs;
    (6) Cincinnati WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather 
Observation Service Level A and have its services consolidated into the 
future Cincinnati WFO;
    (7) Greensboro WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather 
Observation Service Level A and have its services consolidated into the 
future Raleigh/Durham, Greenville/Spartanburg, and Roanoke WFOs;
    (8) Augusta WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather Observation 
Service Level C and have its services consolidated into the future 
Columbia, Charleston, and Atlanta WFOs;
    (9) Meridian WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather Observation 
Service Level C and have its services consolidated into the future 
Jackson, Mobile, and Birmingham WFOs;
    (10) Savannah WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather 
Observation Service Level B and have its services consolidated into the 
future Charleston, Jacksonville, Tallahassee, and Atlanta WFOs; and
    (11) Lewiston WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather 
Observation Service Level C and have its services consolidated into the 
future Spokane, Pendleton, and Missoula WFOs.
    In accordance with Pub. Law 102-567, the public will have 60-days 
in which to comment on these proposed consolidation, automation, and 
closure certifications.

DATES: Comments are requested by March 10, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Requests for copies of the proposed consolidation, 
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 
consolidations, automations, and closures will not result in any 
degradation of service to the affected areas of responsibility and must 
publish the proposed consolidation, 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 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);
    (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 in-
place supplementary data program at the responsible WFO(s);
    (8) Warning and forecast verification statistics for pre-modernized 
and modernized service which were utilized in determining that services 
have not been degraded;
    (9) An Air Safety Appraisal for offices which are located on an 
airport; and
    (10) 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 certification. Instead, the Committee would 
just review certification 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 comment 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 consolidating, automating, and closing these 
offices.

[[Page 984]]

    Dated: December 31, 1996.
Elbert W. Friday, Jr.,
Assistant Administrator for Weather Services.
[FR Doc. 97-225 Filed 1-6-97; 8:45 am]
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