[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 58 (Friday, March 26, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14703-14704]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-7437]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[Docket No. 990217051-9051-01]


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: In accordance with the requirements of Public Law 102-567, the 
NWS is publishing proposed certifications for the consolidation, 
automation, and closure of the following:
    (1) Fort Smith, Arkansas, Weather Service Office (WSO) which will 
be automated at FAA Weather Observation Service Level C and have its 
services consolidated into the future Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Little Rock, 
Arkansas, Weather Forecast Offices (WFOs); and
    (2) Kahului, Hawaii, WSO which will be automated at Federal 
Aviation Administration (FAA) Weather Observation Service Level C and 
have its services consolidated into the future Honolulu, Hawaii, WFO.
    Certifications are also proposed for the automation and closure of 
the following WSOs at the indicated FAA Weather Observation Service 
Level:
    (1) Beckley, West Virginia, WSO which will be automated at FAA 
Weather Observation Service Level D and with services being provided by 
the future Charleston, West Virginia, and Roanoke, Virginia, WFOs;
    (2) Boston, Massachusetts, Residual Weather Service Office (RWSO) 
which will be automated at FAA Weather Observation Service Level A with 
services being provided by the future Boston, Massachusetts, WFO;
    (3) Concord, New Hampshire, WSO which will be automated at FAA 
Weather Observation Service Level D with services being provided by the 
future Portland, Maine, and Boston, Massachusetts, WFOs;
    (4) Hartford, Connecticut, WSO which will be automated at FAA 
Weather Observation Service Level A with services being provided by the 
future Boston, Massachusetts; New York City; and Albany, New York, 
WFOs;
    (5) Portland, Maine, RWSO which will be automated at FAA Weather 
Observation Service Level C with services being provided by the future 
Portland, Maine, WFO;
    (6) Providence, Rhode Island, WSO which will be automated at FAA 
Weather Observation Service Level A with services being provided by the 
future Boston, Massachusetts, WFO; and
    (7) Worcester, Massachusetts, WSO which will be automated at FAA 
Weather Observation Service Level C with services being provided by the 
future Boston, Massachusetts, WFO. Additionally, certifications are 
proposed for the closure of the following offices:
    (1) Olympia, Washington, Fire Weather Office with services being 
provided by the future Seattle/Tacoma, Washington, WFO;
    (2) Salem, Oregon, Fire Weather Office with services being provided 
by the future Portland, Oregon, WFO; and
    (3) Wenatchee, Washington, Fire Weather Office with services being 
provided by the future Spokane, Washington, WFO. In accordance with 
Public Law 102-567, the public will have 60 days in which to comment on 
these proposed certifications.

DATES: Comments are requested by May 26, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Requests for copies of proposed certification packages 
should be sent to Tom Beaver, Room 11426, 1325 East-West Highway, 
Silver Spring, Maryland 20910-3283, 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 extension 
141.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to section 706 of Public Law 102-
567, the Secretary of Commerce must certify that consolidation, 
automation, and/or closure of an NWS field office will not result in a 
degradation of service to the affected area of responsibility and must 
publish the proposed certifications in the Federal Register. 
Documentation supporting these proposed certifications includes the 
following:
    (1) For all certifications: a draft memorandum by the meteorologist 
in charge recommending the certification, the final of which will be 
concurred with 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) For all certifications: a description of local weather 
characteristics and weather-related concerns which affect the weather 
services provided within the service area;
    (3) For all certifications: a comparison of services provided 
within the service area to services to be provided after such action;
    (4) For all certifications: a description of any recent or expected 
modernization of NWS operations which will enhance services in the 
service area;
    (5) For all certifications: an identification of any area within 
the affected service area which would not receive coverage (at an 
elevation of 10,000 feet) by the Doppler weather surveillance radar 
network (WSR-88D);
    (6) For consolidation certifications: evidence, based upon 
operational demonstration of modernized NWS operations, which was 
considered in reaching the conclusion that no degradation in service 
would result from such action, including the WSR-88D Radar 
Commissioning Report, User Confirmation of Services Report, and the 
Decomissioning Readiness Report;
    (7) For automation certifications: 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 Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) 
commissioning report; series of three letters between NWS and FAA 
confirming 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 back-up responsibility from NWS to FAA; successful 
resolution of ASOS user confirmation of services complaints; and an 
inplace supplementary data program at the responsible WFO;
    (8) For closure certifications, where appropriate: warning and 
forecast

[[Page 14704]]

verification statistics for pre-modernized and modernized services 
utilized in determining services have not been degraded;
    (9) For closure certifications: an Air Safety Appraisal for offices 
which are located on an airport; and
    (10) For all certifications: 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 to forego the optional consultation on proposed 
certifications. Instead, the Committee would only review certifications 
after the public comment period closed so its consultation would 
include the benefit of public comments which has been submitted. This 
notice does not include the complete certification package because it 
is too voluminous to publish. Copies of 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 final certifications in the 
Federal Register and transmit the certifications to the appropriate 
congressional committees prior to consolidating, automating, and 
closing the office.

    Dated: March 19, 1999.
John J. Kelly, Jr.,
Assistant Administrator for Weather Services.
[FR Doc. 99-7437 Filed 3-25-99; 8:45 am]
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