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 proposed certifications for the

automation and closure of the following Weather Service offices at the

indicated FAA Weather Observation Service Level:

(1) Chicago-O'Hare (AV) Weather Service Office (WSO) which will be

automated at FAA Weather Observation Service Level A and with services

being provided by the future Chicago Weather Forecast Office (WFO);

(2) Columbia WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather Observation

Service Level C and with services being provided by the future St.

Louis, Kansas City/Pleasant Hill and Springfield WFOs';

(3) Detroit WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather Observation

Service Level A and with services being provided by the future Detroit

WFO;

(4) Flint WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather Observation

Service Level B and with services being provided by the future Detroit

WFO;

(5) Residual Moline WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather

Observation Service Level B and with services being provided by the

future Quad Cities WFO;

(6) Sioux City WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather

Observation Service Level C and with services being provided by the

future Sioux Falls and Omaha WFOs;

(7) Akron WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather Observation

Service Level A and with services being provided by the future

Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Charleston, WV WFOs;

(8) Allentown WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather

Observation Service Level C and with services being provided by the

future Philadelphia, Binghamton and Central Pennsylvania WFOs;

(9) Atlantic City WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather

Observation Service Level C and with services being provided by the

future Philadelphia WFO;

(10) Baltimore WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather

Observation Service Level A and with services being provided by the

future Baltimore, MD/Washington D.C., Philadelphia and Wakefield WFOs.

As the only field office in Maryland, an evaluation of services to in-

state users, included in the meteorologist-in-charge's memorandum

recommending certification, has concluded that users in Maryland are

receiving equal or better services from the future Baltimore, MD/

Washington D.C., Philadelphia and Wakefield WFOs.

(11) Residual Boston WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather

Observation Service Level A and with services being provided by the

future Boston WFO;

(12) Bridgeport WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather

Observation Service Level C and with services being provided by the

future New York City WFO;

(13) Residual Charleston, West Virginia WSO which will be automated

at FAA Weather Observation Service Level B and with services being

provided by the future Charleston WFO;

(14) Columbus, Ohio WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather

Observation Service Level A and with services being provided by the

future Cincinnati, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Charleston, WV WFOs;

(15) Dayton WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather Observation

Service Level A and with services being provided by the future

Cincinnati WFO;

(16) Hartford WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather

Observation Service Level A and with services being provided by the

future Boston, New York City and Albany WFOs;

(17) Lynchburg WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather

Observation Service Level C and with services being provided by the

future Roanoke WFO;

(18) Mansfield WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather

Observation Service Level C and with services being provided by the

future Cleveland WFO;

(19) Norfolk WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather Observation

Service Level B and with services being provided by the future

Wakefield WFO;

(20) Residual Portland, Maine WSO which will be automated at FAA

Weather Observation Service Level C and with services being provided by

the future Portland, WFO;

(21) Providence WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather

Observation Service Level A and with services being provided by the

future Boston WFO. As the only field office in Rhode Island, an

evaluation of services to in-state users, included in the

meteorologist-in-charge's memorandum recommending certification, has

concluded that users in Rhode Island are receiving equal or better

services from the future Boston WFO.

(22) Residual Raleigh WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather

Observation Service Level A and with services being provided by the

future Raleigh/Durham WFO;

(23) Richmond WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather

Observation Service Level A and with services being provided by the

future Wakefield, Baltimore, MD/Washington D.C. and Roanoke WFOs;

(24) Roanoke WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather Observation

Service Level C and with services being provided by the future Roanoke

WFO;

(25) Toledo WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather Observation

Service Level C and with services being provided by the future

Cleveland and Cincinnati WFOs;

(26) Wilkes-Barre WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather

Observation Service Level C and with services being provided by the

future Binghamton and Central Pennsylvania WFOs;

(27) Williamsport WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather

Observation Service Level C and with services being provided by the

future Central Pennsylvania and Binghamton WFOs;

(28) Wilmington WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather

Observation Service Level C and with services being provided by the

future Philadelphia WFO. As the only field office in Delaware, an

evaluation of services to in-state users, included in the

meteorologist-in-charge's memorandum

[[Page 982]]

recommending certification, has concluded that users in Delaware are

receiving equal or better services from the future Philadelphia WFO.

(29) Worcester WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather

Observation Service Level C and with services being provided by the

future Boston WFO;

(30) Youngstown WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather

Observation Service Level B and with services being provided by the

future Cleveland and Pittsburgh WFOs;

(31) Residual Atlanta WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather

Observation Service Level A and with services being provided by the

future Atlanta WFO;

(32) Baton Rouge WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather

Observation Service Level B and with services being provided by the

future New Orleans/Baton Rouge, Lake Charles and Jackson WFOs;

(33) Daytona Beach WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather

Observation Service Level B and with services being provided by the

future Melbourne and Jacksonville WFOs;

(34) Residual El Paso WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather

Observation Service Level B and with services being provided by the

future El Paso WFO;

(35) Knoxville WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather

Observation Service Level B and with services being provided by the

future Knoxville/Tri-Cities and Nashville WFOs;

(36) Residual Lubbock WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather

Observation Service Level B and with services being provided by the

future Lubbock WFO;

(37) Montgomery WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather

Observation Service Level B and with services being provided by the

future Birmingham, Mobile and Tallahassee WFOs;

(38) Residual Oklahoma City WSO which will be automated at FAA

Weather Observation Service Level A and with services being provided by

the future Oklahoma City WFO;

(39) Residual San Antonio WSO which will be automated at FAA

Weather Observation Service Level A and with services being provided by

the future Austin/San Antonio WFO;

(40) Residual Tulsa WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather

Observation Service Level A and with services being provided by the

future Tulsa WFO;

(41) West Palm Beach WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather

Observation Service Level B and with services being provided by the

future Miami and Melbourne WFOs;

(42) Residual San Diego WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather

Observation Service Level A and with services being provided by the

future San Diego WFO; and

(43) Stockton WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather

Observation Service Level C and with services being provided by the

future Sacramento WFO.

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

in which to comment on these proposed automation and closure

certifications.

DATES: Comments are requested by March 10, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Requests for copies of the proposed automation and closure

packages should be sent to Tom Beaver, Room 09356, 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 Pub. Law

102-567, the Secretary of Commerce must certify that these automations

and closures will not result in any degradation of service to the

affected areas of responsibility and must publish the proposed

automation and closure certification in the FR. The documentation

supporting each 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 NMS 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 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) 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 ASOS

Commissioning Report; series of three letters between NWS and FAA

confirming that weather services will continue in full compliance with

applicable flight aviation rules after ASOS commissioning; Surface

Aviation Observation Transition Checklist documenting transfer of

augmentation and backup responsibility from NWS to FAA; successful

resolution of ASOS user confirmation of services complaints; and an in-

place supplementary data program at the responsible WFO(s);

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

and modernized services which were utilized in determining that

services have not been degraded;

(8) An Air Safety Appraisal for offices which are located on an

airport; and

(9) A letter appointing the liaison officer.

These proposed certifications do 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 packages

because they are too voluminous to publish. Copies of the certification

packages 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. 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

committee prior to automating and closing these offices.

Dated: December 31, 1996.

Elbert W. Friday, Jr.,

Assistant Administrator for Weather Services.

[FR Doc. 97-224 Filed 1-6-97; 8:45 am]

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