National Weather Service Modernization and Associated Restructuring

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

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

consolidation, automation, and closure of the following Weather Service

offices at the indicated FAA Weather Observation Service Level:

(1) Fargo Weather Service Office (WSO) which will be automated at

FAA Weather Observation Service Level C and have its services

consolidated into the future Eastern North Dakota, Bismarck, Aberdeen,

and Minneapolis Weather Forecast Offices (WFOs);

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

Service Level B and have its services consolidated into the future

Grand Rapids and North Central Lower Michigan WFOs;

(3) Residual Rapid City WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather

Observation Service Level C and have its services consolidated into the

future Rapid City WFO;

(4) Springfield WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather

Observation Service Level C and have its services consolidated into the

future Central Illinois and St. Louis WFOs;

(5) Asheville WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather

Observation Service Level C and have its services consolidated into the

future Greenville/Spartanburg, Knoxville/Tri-Cities, and Roanoke WFOs;

(6) Cincinnati WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather

Observation Service Level A and have its services consolidated into the

future Cincinnati WFO;

(7) Greensboro WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather

Observation Service Level A and have its services consolidated into the

future Raleigh/Durham, Greenville/Spartanburg, and Roanoke WFOs;

(8) Augusta WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather Observation

Service Level C and have its services consolidated into the future

Columbia, Charleston, and Atlanta WFOs;

(9) Meridian WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather Observation

Service Level C and have its services consolidated into the future

Jackson, Mobile, and Birmingham WFOs;

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

Observation Service Level B and have its services consolidated into the

future Charleston, Jacksonville, Tallahassee, and Atlanta WFOs; and

(11) Lewiston WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather

Observation Service Level C and have its services consolidated into the

future Spokane, Pendleton, and Missoula WFOs.

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

in which to comment on these proposed consolidation, automation, and

closure certifications.

DATES: Comments are requested by March 10, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Requests for copies of the proposed consolidation,

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

consolidations, automations, and closures will not result in any

degradation of service to the affected areas of responsibility and must

publish the proposed consolidation, 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 NWS 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 WSR-

88D Radar Commissioning Report(s), User Confirmation of Services

Report(s), and the Decommissioning Readiness Report (as applicable);

(7) 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);

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

and modernized service which were utilized in determining that services

have not been degraded;

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

airport; and

(10) 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 certification. Instead, the Committee would

just review certification 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 comment 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

committees prior to consolidating, automating, and closing these

offices.

[[Page 984]]

Dated: December 31, 1996.

Elbert W. Friday, Jr.,

Assistant Administrator for Weather Services.

[FR Doc. 97-225 Filed 1-6-97; 8:45 am]

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