[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 131 (Friday, July 9, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37105-37106]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-17408]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[Docket No. 990624172-9172-01]


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: The NWS publishes notice of proposed certifications for the 
consolidation, automation, and closure of several Weather Service 
Offices (WSO) and Fire Weather Offices (FWO). Notice is given of a 
proposed certification for the automation and closure of the Los 
Angeles, Aviation WSO which will be automated at Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA) Weather Observation Service Level A and have its 
services consolidated into the Los Angeles Forecast Office. Notice is 
also given of proposed certifications for the consolidation, 
automation, and closure of the Redding WSO and FWO which will be 
automated at FAA Weather Observation Service Level C and have its 
services consolidated into the Sacramento and Eureka, California; Reno, 
Nevada; and Medford, Oregon Forecast Offices. Finally, notice is given 
of a proposed certification for the closure of the Riverside, 
California FWO with services being provided by the San Diego and Los 
Angeles, California; Las Vegas, Nevada; and Phoenix, Arizona Forecast 
Offices.

DATES: Comments are requested to be mailed by September 7, 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 Pub. L. 102-567, 
the Secretary of Commerce must certify that consolidation, automation, 
and/or closure of a NWS field office will not result in a degradation 
of service to the affected area of responsibility and must propose such 
certifications in the FR for 60-days public comment. Notice is given of 
a proposed certification for the automation and closure of the Los 
Angeles, Aviation WSO which will be automated at Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA) Weather Observation Service Level A and have its 
services consolidated into the Los Angeles Forecast Office. Notice is 
also given of proposed certifications for the consolidation, 
automation, and closure of the Redding WSO and FWO which will be 
automated at FAA Weather Observation Service Level C and have its 
services consolidated into the Sacramento and Eureka, California; Reno, 
Nevada; and Medford, Oregon Forecast Offices. Finally, notice is given 
of a proposed certification for the closure of the Riverside, 
California FWO with services being provided by the San Diego and Los 
Angeles, California; Las Vegas, Nevada; and Phoenix, Arizona Forecast 
Offices. Documentation supporting these proposed certifications 
includes the following:
    For all certifications:
    (1) 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) A description of local weather characteristics and weather-
related concerns which affect the weather services provided within the 
service area;
    (3) A comparison of services provided within the service area to 
services to be provided after such action;
    (4) A description of any recent or expected modernization of NWS 
operations 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 Doppler weather surveillance radar network (WSR-88D); and

[[Page 37106]]

    (6) A letter appointing a liaison officer for the action.
    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 Decommissioning Readiness 
Report.
    For automation certification:
    (1) 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;
    (2) A series of three letters between NWS and FAA confirming 
weather services will continue in full compliance with applicable 
flight aviation rules after ASOS commissioning;
    (3) Surface Aviation Observation Transition Checklist documenting 
transfer of augmentation and back-up responsibility from NWS to FAA;
    (4) Successful resolution of ASOS user confirmation of services 
complaints; and
    (5) An in-place supplementary data program at the responsible 
forecast office.
    For closure certifications:
    (1) Where appropriate, warning and forecast verification statistics 
for pre-modernized and modernized services utilized in determining 
services have not been degraded; and
    (2) An Air Safety Appraisal for offices which are located on an 
airport.
    For the proposed certifications covered by this notice, there is no 
report of the Committee. The Committee has the option to submit a 
report in accordance with sections 706(b)(6) and 707(c) of Pub. L. 102-
567. In December 1995, the Committee decided to forego the optional 
consultation on proposed certifications. Instead, the Committee decided 
to review certifications only after the public comment period closes so 
that its consultation includes the benefit of all public comments 
received. This notice does not publish the complete certification 
packages because they are too voluminous. Copies of the complete 
certification packages and supporting documentation can be obtained 
from 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 FR 
and transmit the certifications to the appropriate congressional 
committees prior to consolidating, automating, and closing the office.
John J. Kelly, Jr.,
Assistant Administrator for Weather Services.
[FR Doc. 99-17408 Filed 7-8-99; 8:45 am]
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