National Weather Service Modernization and Associated Restructuring

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

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 is publishing a proposed certification for the closure

of Yuma, AZ Weather Service Office (WSO), with services being provided

by the future Phoenix Weather Forecast Office (WFO).

In accordance with Public Law 102-567, the public will have 60-days

in which to comment on this proposed closure certification.

DATES: Comments are requested by September 12, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Requests for copies of the proposed closure package should

be sent to Tom Beaver, Room 11426, 1325 East-West Highway, Silver

Spring, MD 20910, telephone 301-713-0300. All comments should be sent

to Tom Beaver at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Julie Scanlon at 301-713-1698 ext 151.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with section 706 of Public Law

102-567, the Secretary of Commerce must certify that this closure will

not result in any degradation of service to the affected area of

responsibility and must publish the proposed closure certification in

the FR. The documentation supporting this proposed certification

includes the following:

(1) A draft memorandum by the meteorologist(s)-in-charge

recommending the certification, the final of which will be endorsed 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 to 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 the services provided within the service area

and the services to be provided after such action;

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

operation 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 next generation weather radar network;

(6) Warning and forecast verification statistics for pre-modernized

and modernized services which were utilized in determining that

services have not been degraded;

(7) An Air Safety Appraisal for an office which is located on an

airport; and

(8) A letter appointing the liaison officer.

This proposed certification does not include any report of the

Committee which could be submitted in accordance with sections

706(b)(6) and 707(c) of Pub. Law 102-567. In December 1995 the

Committee decided that, in general, they would forego the optional

consultation on proposed certifications. Instead, the Committee would

just review certifications after the public comment period had closed

so their consultation would be with the benefit of public comments that

had been submitted.

This notice does not include the complete certification package

because it is too voluminous to publish. Copies of the certification

package and supporting documentation can be obtained through 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. At the June 25, 1997 MTC meeting

the Committee stated that its endorsement of certifications is

``subject to the following qualifications:

(1) The number of trained staff in each modernized field office

meets staffing requirements as established by the modernization

criteria and documented in the National Implementation Plan and the

Human Resources Plan (WBS 1100). Delays in training or failure to fill

required positions will increase the risk of degradation of service;

(2) The availability of operational systems in each modernized

field office meets requirements as established by the modernization

criteria and documented in the System Commissioning and Support

Function Demonstration Plans; and

(3) The operational and administrative infrastructures and

technical development needed to support the modernized field offices be

maintained as required by the modernization plan.'' It is expected that

these qualifications can be met for the above proposed certification.

If these qualifications can not be met prior to the September MTC

meeting, this proposed certification may or may not be presented to the

Committee. If a decision to certify is made, the Secretary of Commerce

must publish the final certification in the FR and transmit the

certification to the appropriate Congressional committees prior to

closing this office.

Dated: July 8, 1997.

Robert S. Winokur,

Acting Assistant Administrator for Weather Services.

[FR Doc. 97-18412 Filed 7-11-97; 8:45 am]

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