[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 188 (Wednesday, September 29, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52491-52492]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-25287]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[Docket No. 990921259-9259-01]


Subject: National Weather Service (NWS) Modernization and 
Associated Restructuring

AGENCY: 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 the:
    (1) Erie, Pennsylvania, Weather Service Office (WSO) which will be 
automated at Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Weather Observation 
Service Level C and have its services consolidated into the Cleveland, 
Ohio, and the Pittsburgh and Central Pennsylvania Forecast Offices; and 
(2) Fairbanks, Alaska, WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather 
Observation Service Level A and have its services consolidated into the 
Fairbanks forecast office.

DATES: comments are requested to be mailed by November 29, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Send all comments and requests for copies of proposed 
certification packages to Tom Beaver, Room 11426, 1325 East-West 
Highway, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910-3283.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Beaver at 301-713-0300 extension 
136.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to section 706 of Pub. L. 102-567, 
the Secretary of Commerce must certify that consolidation, automation, 
and closure of an 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. Having studied and 
evaluated the winter weather forecast capabilities and requirements to 
ensure no degradation of service to the Erie, Pennsylvania, service 
area, the NWS determined removal of the WSR-74C radar would cause a 
degradation of service for some lake-effect snow events. Accordingly, 
NWS will continue operating the WSR-74C radar at Erie during the winter 
season until a new FAA radar is installed at the Erie airport in 2001 
and suitability of weather data from the FAA radar is validated by the 
NWS in consultation with users. The described actions to be undertaken 
by the NWS will prevent any degradation from occurring and, thus, 
notice is given of the proposed consolidation, automation, and closure 
of the Erie, Pennsylvania, WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather 
Observation Service Level C and have its services consolidated into the 
Cleveland, Ohio, and the Pittsburgh and Central Pennsylvania Forecast 
Offices.

    The Fairbanks forecast office is now collocated with the University 
of Alaska at Fairbanks. Having transitioned all services to the 
Fairbanks forecast office and having verified no degradation of 
service, notice is given of the proposed consolidation, automation, and 
closure of the Fairbanks, Alaska, WSO which will be automated at FAA 
Weather Observation Service Level A and have the remainder of its 
services consolidated into the Fairbanks forecast office.
    Documentation supporting each of these proposed certifications 
includes the following:
    (1) A draft memorandum by the meteorologist in charge recommending 
the certifications, 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 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);
    (6) Evidence, based upon operational demonstration of modernized 
NWS operations, which was considered in reaching the preliminary 
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, where appropriate;
    (7) Evidence, based upon operational demonstration of modernized 
NWS operations, which was considered in reaching the preliminary 
conclusion that no degradation in service will result from such action, 
including the Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) commissioning 
report;
    (8) Three letters between NWS and FAA confirming weather services 
will continue in full compliance with applicable flight aviation rules 
after ASOS commissioning;
    (9) Surface Aviation Observation Transition Checklist documenting 
transfer of augmentation and back-up responsibility from NWS to FAA;
    (10) Demonstration of the successful resolution of any ASOS user 
confirmation of services complaints;
    (11) Documentation of an in-place supplementary data program at the 
responsible forecast office;
    (12) Where appropriate, warning and forecast verification 
statistics for pre-modernized and modernized services utilized in 
determining services have not been degraded;
    (13) An Air Safety Appraisal for offices on an airport; and
    (14) A letter appointing a liaison officer for the action.
    Section 706 of Pub. L. 102-567 establishes the Modernization 
Transition Committee to advise the Secretary of Commerce on proposed 
modernization actions. The Committee has the option to submit a report 
to the Secretary in accordance with sections 706(b)(6) and 707(c) of 
Pub. L. 102-567. For the proposed certifications covered by this 
notice, there is no report of the Committee. In December 1995, the 
Committee decided to forego the

[[Page 52492]]

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 
certification packages can be obtained from the contact listed above.
    Once 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 final decision to certify an 
office is made, the Secretary of Commerce must publish final 
certifications in the FR and transmit them to the appropriate 
congressional committees prior to consolidating, automating, and 
closing the office.

    Dated: September 23, 1999.
Irwin T. David,
Chief Financial Officer/Chief Administrative Officer National Weather 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-25287 Filed 9-28-99; 8:45 am]
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