[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 191 (Thursday, October 2, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51644-51645]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-26128]


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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) Abilene, TX Weather Service Office (WSO) which will be 
automated at FAA Weather Observation Service Level C and with services 
being provided by the future San Angelo, Dallas/Fort Worth, Lubbock, 
and Midland/Odessa Weather Forecast Offices (WFOs);
    (2) Concordia, KS WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather 
Observation Service Level D and with Services being provided by the 
future Topeka, Wichita, and Hastings WFOs;
    (3) Ely, NV WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather Observation 
Service Level D and with services being provided by the future Elko 
WFO;
    (4) Havre, MT WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather 
Observation Service Level D and with services being provided by the 
future Great Falls WFO;
    (5) International Falls, MN WSO which will be automated at FAA 
Weather Observation Level D and with services by the future Duluth and 
Eastern North Dakota WFOs;
    (6) Santa Maria, CA WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather 
Observation Service Level C and with services being provided by the 
future Los Angeles and San Francisco Bay Area WFOs;
    (7) Tupelo, MS WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather 
Observation Service Level D and with services being provided by the 
future Memphis and Jackson WFOs;

[[Page 51645]]

    (8) Valentine, NE WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather 
Observation Service Level D and with services being provided by the 
future North Platte WFO;
    (9) Victoria, TX WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather 
Observation Service Level D and with services being provided by the 
future Corpus Christi, Austin/San Antonio, and Houston/Galveston WFOs;
    (10) Wichita Falls, TX WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather 
Observation Service Level D and with services being provided by the 
future Oklahoma City and Dallas/Fort Worth WFOs; and
    (11) Winnemucca, NV WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather 
Observation Service Level D and with services being provided by the 
future Elko WFO.
    In accordance with Public Law 102-567, the public will have 60-day 
in which to comment on these proposed automation and closure 
certifications.

DATES: Comments are requested by December 1, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Requests for copies of the proposes 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:
Tom Beaver at 301-713-0300.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with section 706 of Pub. L. 
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; services 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, where required, documenting 
transfer of augmentation and backup responsibility from NWS to FAA; 
successful resolution of ASOS users 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. L. 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 pubic 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 and the 
September 24, 1997 MTC meetings the Committee stated that its 
endorsement of certifications is ``subject to the following 
qualification:
    (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 certifications. 
If these qualifications can not be met prior to the December 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: September 26, 1997.
Robert S. Winokur,
Acting Assistant Administrator for Weather Services.
[FR Doc. 97-26128 Filed 10-1-97; 8:45 am]
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