[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 199 (Friday, October 15, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55902-55903]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-26990]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
[Docket No. 990921258-9258-01]


National Weather Service (NWS) Modernization and Associated 
Restructuring; Final Certification of No Degradation of Service for the 
Combined Consolidation, Automation, and Closure of the Victoria, TX, 
Weather Service Office (WSO)

AGENCY: NWS, NOAA, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: On October 7, 1999, the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans 
and Atmosphere transmitted to Congress a notice of consolidation, 
automation, and closure certification for WSO Victoria, Texas. Public 
Law 102-567 requires the final certifications be published in the FR. 
This notice satisfies that requirement.

EFFECTIVE DATE: October 15, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Requests for copies of the final certification package 
should be sent to Tom Beaver, Room 11426, 1325 East-West Highway, 
Silver Spring, Maryland 20910-3283.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The WSO Victoria, Texas, consolidation 
certification was proposed in the April 11, 1997, FR, Vol 62, No. 70, 
page 17785. The 60-day public comment period closed on June 10, 1997. 
No public comments were received. At its June 25, 1997, meeting, the 
Modernization Transition Committee (MTC) endorsed the WSO Victoria 
consolidation certification as not resulting in a degradation of 
service. The automation and closure certifications for WSO Victoria, 
Texas, were proposed in the October 2, 1997, FR, Vol 62, No. 191, pages 
51644-51655. The 60-day public comment period closed on December 1, 
1997. Nineteen individual letters and over 2100 forms were received. 
See attached summary of public comments and NWS response.
    At its December 10, 1997, meeting, the MTC endorsed the WSO 
Victoria automation and closure certifications as not resulting in a 
degradation of service. While the MTC endorsed the certifications, it 
was concerned about the number of comments reporting time delays in 
receiving NWS products. The MTC stated, ``The MTC received a briefing 
from the Meteorologist-in-Charge (MIC) of the Corpus Christi NEXRAD 
Weather Service Office, which has service responsibility for the 
Victoria area. The MTC notes that the MIC has met with the Victoria 
community on several occasions and attempted to rectify the problem, 
but believes that further efforts are needed. The MTC requests an 
update on NWS efforts in 6 months time.''
    On March 18, 1998, the MTC heard public comments from 
representatives of the Victoria, Texas, community and the NWS. The MTC 
rescinded its endorsement of the certifications for WSO Victoria and 
agreed to hold its June meeting in Victoria, Texas, to gather 
additional information.
    On June 18, 1998, the MTC met in Victoria, Texas, listened to 
public comments, and tabled further consideration of the consolidation, 
automation, and closure certifications pending responses to issues it 
identified concerning community outreach, the Automated Surface 
Observing System, and local infrastructure.
    On September 30, 1998, the MTC heard responses from the community 
and the NWS concerning the issues identified at the June 18, 1998, MTC 
meeting. The MTC also reviewed correspondence and received 
presentations from individuals representing Senators Phil Gramm and Kay 
Bailey Hutchison and Representatives Ron Paul and Pete Sessions. Based 
on all the information received, the MTC endorsed and

[[Page 55903]]

recommended approval of the consolidation, automation, and closure 
certifications for WSO Victoria, Texas.
    In January 1999, the Victoria Chamber of Commerce sent the 
Secretary of Commerce a position paper regarding NWS's performance 
during the October 1998 flood event in south Texas. The position paper 
stated NWS's poor performance in forecasting the flood could be 
attributed to not having a fully operational weather office in 
Victoria.
    In February 1999, NWS completed a service assessment report on the 
south Texas flood. The service assessment revealed the problems 
encountered were due to the record flooding and loss of upstream river 
gauges. Having a fully operational Victoria weather office would not 
have changed the outcome because flood forecasts for the Victoria area 
are generated by the River Forecast Center in Fort Worth, Texas.
    After consideration of public comments received, MTC endorsements, 
the Victoria Chamber of Commerce's position paper, and the NWS service 
assessment, the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere 
approved the WSO Victoria, Texas, consolidation, automation, and 
closure certifications and transmitted notice of the certifications and 
transmitted notice of the certifications to Congress on October 7, 
1999. Certification approval authority was delegated from the Secretary 
of Commerce to the Under Secretary in June 1996. The NWS is not 
completing the certification requirements of Public Law 102-567 by 
publishing the final consolidation, automation, and closure 
certification notice in the FR.

    Dated: October 12, 1999.
John J. Kelly, Jr.,
Assistant Administrator for Weather Services.

Summary of Public Comments and NWS Response

    Public Comments on WSO Victoria, Texas: Nineteen individual letters 
and over 2100 forms were received as public comments from the Victoria, 
Texas, area. Many of the public comments referred to delays in 
receiving warnings or missing information. Some of the comments 
included the following:
    ``Delays in warnings--During several periods of severe weather, 
warnings were not issued on the radio or television broadcasts until 
thirty minutes after the warnings were issued * * *. Current 
conditions, forecasts, and updates have been delayed by as much as four 
hours.''
    ``Time is a big factor in weather, without local radar coverage and 
up to date information. Time is against us. A lot of people would be 
sitting ducks without protection.''
    ``Just for one example, we remember a fast developing heavy storm 
with hail, last spring, that came across from Goliad Co. to DeWitt Co. 
Area and our local TV weather forecasting could not even inform us 
until it was upon us.''
    ``Often we have received information that is inaccurate, late or 
even no information about weather events in our area from the Corpus 
Christi office.''
    NWS Response: The Corpus Christi forecast office has and will 
continue to work closely with the Victoria media, emergency managers, 
and civic leaders to maintain and enhance lines of communication. Close 
working relationships have been established with key members of the 
media, such as TV25, radio station KVIC, and the Victoria Advocate. NWS 
staff have held several meetings with the Victoria Chamber of Commerce 
President to increase the awareness of the technological capabilities 
of the Corpus Christi office, communications links, and products and 
services. The Corpus Christi office initiated and led the first-ever 
severe weather conference with Victoria County officials, the Chamber 
of Commerce, local media, and volunteer storm spotters.
    The Corpus Christi office led an effort to establish an Emergency 
Alert System (EAS) Plan among all media outlets in the Victoria 
District, which includes the counties of Calhoun, De Witt, Goliad, 
Jackson, Lavaca, and Victoria. The EAS is important to alert the 
citizens of the Victoria Crossroads area to stay out of harm's way. 
Public outreach has expanded through the development of the Emergency 
Managers Weather Information Network and by establishing a system to 
relay warnings from NOAA Weather Radio to the media.
    During anticipated significant weather events, the NWS special 
liaison officer for Victoria is detailed to the main Victoria fire 
station or the designated Victoria Emergency Operations Center. The 
special liaison officer coordinates severe weather/flood information 
between Victoria and the Corpus Christi office.
    When severe warnings are issued for the Victoria area, the Corpus 
Christi office calls the Victoria 911 dispatcher immediately, who in 
turn, relays the warnings to the local police, sheriff, and fire 
department. The Corpus Christi office also calls the Victoria 
Department of Public Safety when warnings are issued and faxes warning 
information to the Calhoun County Emergency Management Center.
    Whenever thunderstorm activity approaches Victoria County, an extra 
meteorologist is called into the Corpus Christi office. This 
meteorologist coordinates warning information for the Victoria area and 
ensures the Victoria County Emergency Operations Center, fire 
department, and TV25 Chief Meteorologist are notified of severe weather 
warnings.
    The NWS is committed to providing accurate and timely products and 
services to the Victoria community for the protection of life and 
property.

[FR Doc 99-26990 Filed 10-14-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-KE-M