[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]
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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.
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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]
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