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 National Weather Service (NWS) is publishing proposed

certifications for the proposed consolidations and closures of:

(1) Omaha Residual Weather Service Office (RWSO) which will have

its services consolidated into the future Omaha Weather Forecast Office

(WFO); and

(2) Sacramento RWSO which will have its services consolidated into

the future Sacramento WFO. In accordance with Pub. Law 102-567, the

public will have 60-days in which to comment on these proposed

consolidation and closure certifications.

DATES: Comments are requested by March 10, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Requests for copies of the proposed consolidation 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 and closures will not result in any degradation of

service to the affected areas of responsibility and must publish the

proposed consolidation and closure certifications in the FR. The

documentation supporting each proposed certification includes the

following:

(1) A draft memorandum by the meteorologist-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) 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, if applicable, 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 certifications. If decisions to certify are

made, the Secretary of Commerce must publish the final certifications

in the FR and transmit the certifications to the appropriate

Congressional committees prior to consolidating and closing the

offices.

Dated: December 31, 1996.

Elbert W. Friday, Jr.,

Assistant Administrator for Weather Services.

[FR Doc. 97-226 Filed 1-6-97; 8:45 am]

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