[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 134 (Monday, July 14, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37559-37560]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-18414]



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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) Colorado Springs, Co Weather Service Office (WSO) which will be 
automated at FAA Weather Observation Service Level B and with services 
being provided by the future Pueblo, Denver/Boulder, and Goodland 
Weather Forecast Offices (WFO);
    (2) Dubuque, IA WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather 
Observation Service Level C and with services being provided by the 
future Quad Cities and Milwaukee WFOs;
    (3) Residual Des Moines, IA WSO which will be automated at FAA 
Weather Observation Service Level A and with services being provided by 
the future Des Moines WFO;
    (4) Evansville, IN WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather 
Observation Service Level C and with services being provided by the 
future Paducah, Central Illinois, Indianapolis, and Louisville WFOs;
    (5) Residual Minneapolis, MN WSO which will be automated at FAA 
Weather Observation Service Level A and with services being provided by 
the future Minneapolis WFO;
    (6) Elkins, WV WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather 
Observation Service Level C and with services being provided by the 
future Charleston, Pittsburgh, and Baltimore/Washington WFOs;
    (7) Residual Fresco, CA which will be automated at FAA Weather 
Observation Service Level A and with services being provided by the 
future San Joaquin Valley WFO;
    (8) Residual Las Vegas, NV WSO which will be automated at FAA 
Weather Observation Service Level A and with services being provided by 
the future Las Vegas WFO;
    (9) Residual Portland, OR WSO which will be automated at FAA 
Weather Observation Service Level A and with services being provided by 
the future Portland WFO;
    (10) San Francisco, CA WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather 
Observation Service Level A and with services being provided by the 
future San Francisco Bay Area WFO; and
    (11) Residual Spokane, WA WSO which will be automated at FAA 
Weather Observation Service Level A and with services being provided by 
the future Spokane WFO.
    In accordance with Public 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 September 12, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Request for copies of the proposed automation and closure 
packages 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 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 pubic 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 
inplace 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 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 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

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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 certifications. 
If these qualifications can not be met prior to the September MTC 
meeting, these proposed certifications 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 
automating and closing these offices.

    Dated: July 8, 1997.
Robert S. Winokur,
Acting Assistant Administrator for Weather Services.
[FR Doc. 97-18414 Filed 7-11-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-12-M