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) Abilene, TX Weather Service Office (WSO) which will be

automated at FAA Weather Observation Service Level C and with services

being provided by the future San Angelo, Dallas/Fort Worth, Lubbock,

and Midland/Odessa Weather Forecast Offices (WFOs);

(2) Concordia, KS WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather

Observation Service Level D and with Services being provided by the

future Topeka, Wichita, and Hastings WFOs;

(3) Ely, NV WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather Observation

Service Level D and with services being provided by the future Elko

WFO;

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

Observation Service Level D and with services being provided by the

future Great Falls WFO;

(5) International Falls, MN WSO which will be automated at FAA

Weather Observation Level D and with services by the future Duluth and

Eastern North Dakota WFOs;

(6) Santa Maria, CA WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather

Observation Service Level C and with services being provided by the

future Los Angeles and San Francisco Bay Area WFOs;

(7) Tupelo, MS WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather

Observation Service Level D and with services being provided by the

future Memphis and Jackson WFOs;

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

Observation Service Level D and with services being provided by the

future North Platte WFO;

(9) Victoria, TX WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather

Observation Service Level D and with services being provided by the

future Corpus Christi, Austin/San Antonio, and Houston/Galveston WFOs;

(10) Wichita Falls, TX WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather

Observation Service Level D and with services being provided by the

future Oklahoma City and Dallas/Fort Worth WFOs; and

(11) Winnemucca, NV WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather

Observation Service Level D and with services being provided by the

future Elko WFO.

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

in which to comment on these proposed automation and closure

certifications.

DATES: Comments are requested by December 1, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Requests for copies of the proposes 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.

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 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, 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 ASOS

Commissioning Report; services 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 users 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. 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 pubic 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. At the June 25, 1997 and the

September 24, 1997 MTC meetings the Committee stated that its

endorsement of certifications is ``subject to the following

qualification:

(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

automating and closing these offices.

Dated: September 26, 1997.

Robert S. Winokur,

Acting Assistant Administrator for Weather Services.

[FR Doc. 97-26128 Filed 10-1-97; 8:45 am]

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