[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 134 (Monday, July 14, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 37558]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-18412]


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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 a proposed certification for the closure 
of Yuma, AZ Weather Service Office (WSO), with services being provided 
by the future Phoenix Weather Forecast Office (WFO).
    In accordance with Public Law 102-567, the public will have 60-days 
in which to comment on this proposed closure certification.

DATES: Comments are requested by September 12, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Requests for copies of the proposed closure package should 
be sent to Tom Beaver, Room 11426, 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 this closure will 
not result in any degradation of service to the affected area of 
responsibility and must publish the proposed closure certification in 
the FR. The documentation supporting this 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 to 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) Warning and forecast verification statistics for pre-modernized 
and modernized services which were utilized in determining that 
services have not been degraded;
    (7) An Air Safety Appraisal for an office which is located on an 
airport; and
    (8) A letter appointing the liaison officer.
    This proposed certification does 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 package 
because it is too voluminous to publish. Copies of the certification 
package 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. At the June 25, 1997 MTC meeting 
the Committee stated that its endorsement of certifications is 
``subject to the following qualifications:
    (1) The number of trained staff in each modernized field office 
meets staffing requirements as established by the modernization 
criteria and documented in the National Implementation Plan and the 
Human Resources Plan (WBS 1100). Delays in training or failure to fill 
required positions will increase the risk of degradation of service;
    (2) The availability of operational systems in each modernized 
field office meets requirements as established by the modernization 
criteria and documented in the System Commissioning and Support 
Function Demonstration Plans; and
    (3) The operational and administrative infrastructures and 
technical development needed to support the modernized field offices be 
maintained as required by the modernization plan.'' It is expected that 
these qualifications can be met for the above proposed certification. 
If these qualifications can not be met prior to the September MTC 
meeting, this proposed certification may or may not be presented to the 
Committee. 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 
closing this office.

    Dated: July 8, 1997.
Robert S. Winokur,
Acting Assistant Administrator for Weather Services.
[FR Doc. 97-18412 Filed 7-11-97; 8:45 am]
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