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

consolidation, automation, and closure of the following Weather Service

offices at the indicated FAA Weather Observation Service Level:

(1) Alamosa, CO Weather Service Office (WSO) which will be

automated at FAA Weather Observation Service Level D and have its

services consolidated into the future Pueblo and Grand Junction Weather

Forecast Offices (WFOs);

(2) Alpena, MI WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather

Observation Service Level D and have its services consolidated into the

future North Central Lower Michigan WFO;

(3) Houghton Lake, MI WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather

Observation Service Level D and have its services consolidated into the

future North Central Lower Michigan and Grand Rapids WFOs;

(4) Kalispell, MT WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather

Observation Service Level D and have its services consolidated into the

future Missoula WFO;

(5) Lander, WY WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather

Observation Service Level D and have its services consolidated into the

future Riverton WFO;

(6) Norfolk, NE WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather

Observation Service Level D and have its services consolidated into the

future Omaha and North Platte WFOs;

(7) Sault Ste. Marie, MI WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather

Observation Service Level D and have its services consolidated into the

future North Central Lower Michigan and Marquette WFOs;

(8) Scottsbluff, NE WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather

Observation Service Level D and have its services consolidated into the

future Cheyenne and North Platte WFOs;

(9) Sheridan, WY WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather

Observation Service Level D and have its services consolidated into the

future Billings and Riverton WFOs; and

(10) St. Cloud, MN WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather

Observation Service Level D and have its services consolidated into the

future Minneapolis and Aberdeen WFOs.

In accordance with Pub. L. 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 December 1, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Requests for copies of the proposed consolidation,

automation and closure packages 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: Tom Beaver at 301-713-0300.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with section 706 of Pub. L.

[[Page 51644]]

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

consolidation, automation, and closure certifications will not result

in any degradation of service to the affected areas of responsibility

and must publish the proposed consolidation, automation, and closure

certifications 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(s), 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, where required, 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 services 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. L. 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. At the June 25, and September

24, 1997 MTC meetings 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 certifications.

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

meeting, these proposed certifications 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

consolidating, automating, and closing these offices.

Dated: September 26, 1997.

Robert S. Winokur,

Acting Assistant Administrator for Weather Services.

[FR Doc. 97-26127 Filed 10-1-97; 8:45 am]

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