[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 70 (Friday, April 11, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17786-17787]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-9328]


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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 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) Residual Indianapolis Weather Service Office (WSO) which will 
be automated at FAA Weather Observation Service Level A and with 
services being provided by the future Indianapolis WFO;
    (2) Residual Kansas City Weather Service Office (WSO) which will be 
automated at FAA Weather Observation

[[Page 17787]]

Service Level A and with services being provided by the future Kansas 
City/Pleasant Hill WFO;
    (3) Lansing WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather Observation 
Service Level A and with services being provided by the future Grand 
Rapids WFO;
    (4) Lincoln WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather Observation 
Service Level B and with services being provided by the future Omaha 
WFO;
    (5) Residual Louisville WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather 
Observation Service Level A and with services being provided by the 
future Louisville WFO;
    (6) Residual Milwaukee WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather 
Observation Service Level A and with services being provided by the 
future Milwaukee WFO;
    (7) Rockford which will be automated at FAA Weather Observation 
Service Level A and with services being provided by the future Chicago 
and Quad Cities WFOs;
    (8) 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; and
    (9) Newark WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather Observation 
Service Level A and with services being provided by the future New York 
City 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 June 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 certifications 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 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 
committees prior to automating and closing these offices.

    Dated: April 7, 1997.
Elbert W. Friday, Jr.,
Assistant Administrator for Weather Services.
[FR Doc. 97-9328 Filed 4-10-97; 8:45 am]
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