Final Certification for the Consolidation of Galveston Weather Service Office and Los Angeles Residual Weather Service Office

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Final Certification for the Consolidation of Galveston Weather

Service Office and Los Angeles Residual Weather Service Office

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: On June 26, 1995 (60 FR 32943), the National Weather Service

(NWS) published proposed consolidation certifications for the

consolidations of:

(1) The Galveston Weather Service Office (WSO) into the future

Houston/Galveston Weather Forecast Office (WFO); and

(2) The residual Los Angeles WSO into the future Los Angeles WFO in

accordance with Pub. Law 102-567. The public had 60-days in which to

comment on these proposed certifications. After considering comments

received and consulting with the Modernization Transition Committee

(MTC), the NWS has determined that these actions will not result in any

degration of service to the affected areas and has so certified. In

accordance with Pub. Law 102-567,the Secretary of Commerce transmitted

these certifications to the Congress, and the NWS is now publishing the

final certifications together with a summary of the supporting

documentation.

EFFECTIVE DATE: November 13, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Requests for copies of the final consolidation certification

package(s) should be sent to Janet Gilmer, Room 12316, 1325 East-West

Highway, Silver Spring, ME 20910.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Julie Scanlon at 301-713-1413.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Weather Service is

consolidating its Galveston WSO with the future Houston/Galveston WFO

and its Residual Los Angeles WSO with the future Los Angeles WFO. Based

on the recommendations of the respective Meteorologist-in-Charge (MIC),

on September 26, 1995, the Assistant Administrator of the NWS certified

that these consolidations will not result in any degradation of service

to the affected service areas as required by section 706 of the Pub.

Law 102-567. On October 23, 1995 the Secretary of Commerce transmitted

these certifications to Congress. The NWS is now completing the

certification requirements by publishing the final consolidation

Certifications in the Federal Register.

Published with this notice are (1) the Certifications by the

Assistant Administrator of the NWS; (2) memorandum from Bill Read, MIC

of future WFO Houston/Galveston, endorsed by Harry S. Hassel, Director,

Southern Region; and (3) memorandum from Todd Morris, MIC of future WFO

Los Angeles, endorsed by Dr. Thomas D. Potter, Director, Western

Region. These memoranda recommend certification, summarize the basis

for the recommendation, and set forth the supporting documentation

required by the Pub. Law 102-567. However, this supporting

documentation is too voluminous to publish with this notice and can be

obtained through the contact listed in ADDRESSES. For each

certification this material includes:

(1) A Description of local weather characteristics and weather-

related concerns which affect the weather services provided within the

service area;

(2) A detailed comparison of services provided within the service

area and the services to be provided after such action;

(3) A description of any recent or expected modernization of NWS

operations which enhance services in the service area;

(4) An identification of any area within Texas or California which

would not receive coverage (at an elevation of 10,000 feet) by the next

generation weather radar network;

(5) 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 WSR-

88D Radar Commissioning Report, User Confirmation of Services Report,

and the radar Decommissioning Readiness Report;

(6) A letter appointing the liaison officer; and

(7) The recommendations of the MTC made at its June 14, 1995

meeting and the final consultation made at the September 14, 1995 MTC

meeting.

The memoranda recommending certification considered the public

comment received on the proposed certification during the 60-day

comment periods. One comment was received. This comment and response is

set forth here for reference:

Comment: Mr. Peter J. Nuhn objected to the proposed consolidation

certifications of the Galveston and residual Los Angeles Weather

Service Offices (WSO). The comment set forth three concerns as the

basis for this objection:

(1) These proposed consolidations violate the Weather Service

Modernization Act, Public Law 102-567, and the Strategic Plan for

Modernization and Associated Restructuring of the National Weather

Service by proceeding with these consolidation certifications before

all new technologies (ASOS, NEXRAD, GOES-Next and AWIPS) have been

deployed, made operational, and demonstrated to not cause a degradation

of service.

(2) It is premature to recommend consolidation certifications

before it can be demonstrated that the NEXRADs involved are meeting

availability requirements.

(3) It is premature to recommend consolidation certifications until

staff at future WFOs Houston and Los Angeles have been fully trained on

new satellite products being generated by GOES-Next.

Response: The NWS is in compliance with the Weather Service

Modernization Act. The NWS proposes these consolidation certifications

in full compliance with the agency regulations implementing the Act

that were published in the Federal Register on December 3, 1993, and

final modernization criteria for consolidation certification that were

published in the Federal Register on March 2, 1994. Specific responses

to the above three concerns are:

(1) The NWS is implementing the modernization in a two stage

transition as described in agency regulations and the Strategic Plan

for Modernization and Associated Restructuring of the National Weather

Service, as well as in the annual National Implementation Plan. In

these documents the NWS describes its' intent and rationale for

proceeding with automation, consolidation, and relocation

certifications for WSO Galveston and residual WSO Los Angeles satisfy

all of the final modernization criteria for this type of action. The

NWS consulted with the National Research Council's Modernization

Committee and the Modernization Transition Committee. The NWS also

invited the public to submit comments during the process of

establishing modernization criteria. These criteria envision that the

availability of AWIPS (Mr. Nuhn's particular concern) will be a

prerequisite for closure but not consolidation.

(2) The NWS has demonstrated that the NEXRADs involved are meeting

availability requirements. The NWS has complied with the modernization

criteria for a consolidation certification by the commissioning of the

NEXRAD(s) (i.e. WSR-88D (s)) which will be providing radar coverage for

the affected service area. As part of this WSR-88D commissioning

process, the NWS

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requires ``at least 96 percent availability of the radar coded message

for a period of at least 30 consecutive days prior to commissioning''

to demonstrate that the WSR-88D is meeting the availability

requirements. See modernization criteria I.2.d., ``Satisfactory Support

of Associated NWS Forecasting and Warning Services''.

The NWS commissioned the WSR-88D covering the WSO Galveston

affected service area on March 23, 1994. The Meteorologist-In-Charge of

NWSO Houston determined that the radar did in fact meet NWS

Modernization Criteria I.2.d. (item 4a on the WSR-88D Site Component

Commissioning Checklist) as indicated by a check mark in the

satisfactory column and his approval signature. This approval was based

on radar coded message availability statistics for this WSR-88D

collected between January 10, 1994 and February 23, 1994 which showed

greater than 96 percent availability.

The NWS commissioned the WSR-88D covering the residual WSO Los

Angeles affected service area on December 16, 1994. The Meteorologist-

In-Charge of NWSFO Los Angeles determined the NWS had met Modernization

criteria I.2.d. (item 4a on the WSR-88D Site Component Commissioning

Checklist) as indicated by a check mark in the satisfactory column and

his approval signature. The NWS based its' approval on the radar coded

message availability statistics for this WSR-88D collected between

February 12, 1994 and December 16, 1994, which showed greater than 96

percent availability.

(3) The NWS has taken all prerequisite steps to comply with

modernization criteria for consolidation certifications including: WSR-

88D commissioning, user confirmation of services, and existing radar

decommissioning. These criteria do not require staff training on new

satellite products being generated by GOES-Next. GOES-Next will

eventually provide enhanced and new satellite products to WFOs during

Stage 2 of the modernization. During Stage 1, NWSO Houston and NWSFO

Los Angeles will continue to receive existing GOES satellite products

on which staff at these offices have already been trained.

Dated: November 3, 1995.

Elbert W. Friday, Jr.,

Assistant Administrator for Weather Services.

Certification

Weather Service Office Consolidation

I hereby certify that there will be no degradation in weather

services to the Galveston service area as a result of the

consolidation of the Galveston Weather Service Office with the

future Houston/Galveston Weather Forecast Office. I have considered

the recommendation of the responsible Meteorologist in Charge, Bill

Read, as endorsed by Southern Region Director Harry Hassel and have

reviewed the attached documentation provided in compliance with the

Weather Service Modernization Act that supports this recommendation.

Susan F. Zevin for Elbert W. Friday, Jr.,

Assistant Administrator for Weather Services.

Attachments

September 18, 1995.

Memorandum For: Harry S. Hassel, Director, Southern Region

From: Bill Read, MIC, NWSO Houston/Galveston, TX

Subject: Recommendation for Consolidation Certification

After reviewing the attached documentation, I have determined,

in my professional judgment, consolidation of the Galveston Weather

Service Office (WSO) with the future Houston/Galveston Weather

Forecast Office (WFO) will not result in any degradation in weather

services to the Galveston service area. This proposed certification

is in accordance with the advance notification provided in the

National Implementation Plan. Accordingly, I am recommending you

approve this action in accordance with section 706 of Public Law

102-567. If you concur, please endorse this recommendation and

forward this package to the Assistant Administrator for Weather

Services for final certification. Dr. Friday, in turn, will forward

the certification to the Secretary for transmittal to Congress.

My recommendation is based on my review of the pertinent

evidence and application of the modernization criteria for

consolidation of a field office. In summary:

1. A description of local weather characteristics and weather-

related concerns affecting the weather services provided in the

Galveston service area is included as attachment A. As discussed

below, I find that providing the services which address these

characteristics and concerns from Houston/Galveston WFO will not

degrade these services.

2. A detailed list of the services currently provided within the

Galveston service area from the Galveston WSO location and a list of

services to be provided from the Houston/Galveston WFO location

after consolidation is included as attachment B. Comparison of these

services shows that all services currently provided will continue to

be provided after the proposed consolidation. Also, the enclosed map

shows the WSO Galveston Area of Responsibility (i.e. ``Affected

Service Area'') and the future WFO Houston/Galveston Area of

Responsibility. As discussed below, I find that there will be no

degradation in the quality of these services as a result of the

consolidation.

3. A description of the recent or expected modernization of

National Weather Service (NWS) operations which will enhance

services in the WSO Galveston service area is included as attachment

C. The new technology (i.e. ASOS, WSR-88D, and AWIPS) has or will be

installed and will enhance services.

4. A map showing planned NEXRAD coverage at an elevation of

10,000 feet for Texas is included as attachment D. NWS operational

radar coverage for the specific service area will be increased and

no area will be missed in coverage.

5. The following evidence, based upon operational demonstration

of modernized NWS operations, played a key role in concluding there

will be no degradation of service.

A. The WSR-88D Radar Commissioning Report, attachment E,

validates that the WSR-88D meets technical specifications

(acceptance test); is fully operational (satisfactory operation of

system interfaces and satisfactory support of associated NWS

forecasting and warning services); service backup capabilities are

functioning properly; a full set of operations and maintenance

documentation is available; and spare parts and test equipment and

trained operations and maintenance personnel are available on site.

Training was completed but two national work-arounds remain in

effect.

B. The User Confirmation of Services, attachment F, documents

that only two negative comments were received. Both of the negative

comments have been answered to the satisfaction of the commentors as

stated in the Service Confirmation Report.

C. The Decommissioning Readiness Report, attachment G, verifies

that the existing Galveston WSR-57 radar is no longer needed to

support services or products for local office operations.

6. A memorandum assigning the liaison officer for the Galveston

service area is included as attachment H.

I have considered recommendations of the Modernization

Transition Committee (Committee) (attachment I) and the one public

comment received during the comment period (attachment J). On

September 14, 1995, the Committee voted to endorse the proposed

consolidation (attachment K). I believe all negative comments have

been addressed to the satisfaction of our customers and I continue

to recommend this certification.

Endorsement

I, Harry S. Hassel, Director, Southern Region, endorse this

consolidation certification.

Dated: September 20, 1995

Harry S. Hassel

Attachments

Certification

Weather Service Office Consolidation

I hereby certify that there will be no degradation in weather

services to the Los Angeles service area as a result of the

consolidation of the Residual Los Angeles Weather Service Office

with the future Los Angeles Weather Forecast Office. I have

considered the recommendation of the responsible Meteorologist in

Charge, Todd Morris, as endorsed by Western Region Director Thomas

D. Potter, and have reviewed the attached documentation provided in

compliance with the Weather

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Service Modernization Act that supports this recommendation.

Susan F. Zevin for Elbert W. Friday, Jr.,

Assistant Administrator for Weather Services.

Attachments

September 14, 1995.

Memorandum For: Thomas D. Potter, Director, Western Region

From: Todd Morris, AM/MIC NWSFO Los Angeles

Subject: Recommendation for Consolidation Certification

A change of operations occurred at the Los Angeles Weather

Service Forecast Office (WSFO) in October 1993 when most personnel

were transferred to the facility of the future Los Angeles Weather

Forest Office (WFO) in Oxnard, California to operate the WSR-88D and

assume forecast and warning responsibility for the Los Angeles

service area. At the same time this office has been designated a

Residual Weather Service Office (RWSO) at the original WSFO location

to continue operating the existing WSR-74C radar.

After reviewing the attached documentation, I have determined,

in my professional judgement, consolidation of the Los Angeles

Residual Weather Service Office (RWSO) with the future Los Angeles/

Oxnard Weather Forecast Office (WFO) will not result in any

degradation in weather services to the Los Angeles service area.

This proposed certification is in accordance with the advance

notification provided in the National Implementation Plan.

Accordingly, I am recommending that you approve this action in

accordance with section 706 of Public Law 102-567. If you concur,

please endorse this recommendation and forward this package to the

Assistant Administrator for Weather Services for final

certification. If Dr. Friday approves, he will forward the

certification to the Secretary for approval and transmittal to

Congress.

My recommendation is based on my review of the pertinent

evidence and application of the modernization criteria for

consolidation of a field office. In summary:

1. A description of local weather characteristics and weather-

related concerns affecting the weather services provided in the pre-

modernized Los Angeles service area is included as attachment A. As

discussed below, I find that providing the services which address

these characteristics and concerns from the Los Angeles/Oxnard WFO

will not degrade these services.

2. A detailed list of the services currently provided from the

Los Angeles RWSO location and comparable services to be provided

from the Los Angeles/Oxnard WFO location after consolidation is

included as attachment B. Comparison of these services shows that

all services currently provided will continue to be provided after

the proposed consolidation. I find that there will be no degradation

in the quality of these services as a result of the consolidation.

3. A description of the recent or expected modernization of

National Weather Service (NWS) operations which will enhance

services in the pre-modernized Los Angeles service area is included

as attachment C. The new technology (i.e. ASOS, WSR-88D, and AWIPS)

has or will be installed and will enhance services.

4. A map showing planned NEXRAD coverage at an elevation of

10,000 feet for California is included as attachment D. NWS

operational radar coverage for the Los Angeles service area will be

vastly increased and will not degrade services.

It should be noted that neither the old radar network nor the

NEXRAD include coverage of a small mountainous area in the northeast

corner of the service area. Therefore this does not represent a

degradation of radar coverage or services.

5. The following evidence, based upon operational demonstration

of modernized NWS operations, played a key role in concluding there

will be no degradation of service.

A. the WSR-88D RADAR Commissioning Report, attachment E,

validates that the WSR-88D meets technical specifications

(acceptance test); is fully operational (satisfactory operation of

system interfaces and satisfactory support of associated NWS

forecasting and warning services); service backup capabilities are

functioning properly; a full set of operations and maintenance

documentation is available; and spare parts and test equipment and

trained operations and maintenance personnel are available on site.

Training was completed. There were two national work-arounds. One of

these has been satisfied while the other one remains in effect.

B. The User Confirmation of Services, attachment F, documents

that only two negative comments were received. Both of the negative

comments have been answered to the satisfaction of the commentors as

stated in the service Confirmation Report.

C. The Decommissioning Readiness Report, attachment G, verifies

that the existing Los Angeles WSR-74C radar is no longer needed to

support services or products for local office operations.

6. A memorandum assigning the liaison officer for the Los

Angeles service area is included as attachment H.

I have considered recommendations of the Modernization

Transition Committee (attachment I) and the one public comment

received during the comment period (attachment J). On September 14,

1995, the Committee voted to endorse the proposed consolidation

(attachment K). I believe all negative comments have been addressed

to the satisfaction of our customers and I continue to recommend

this certification.

Endorsement

I, Thomas D. Potter, Director, Western Region, endorse this

consolidation certification.

Dated: September 15, 1995.

James L. Campbell for Thomas D. Potter.

[FR Doc. 95-27745 Filed 11-9-95; 8:45 am]

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