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) Residual Indianapolis Weather Service Office (WSO) which will

be automated at FAA Weather Observation Service Level A and with

services being provided by the future Indianapolis WFO;

(2) Residual Kansas City Weather Service Office (WSO) which will be

automated at FAA Weather Observation

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

City/Pleasant Hill WFO;

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

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

Rapids WFO;

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

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

WFO;

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

Observation Service Level A and with services being provided by the

future Louisville WFO;

(6) Residual Milwaukee WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather

Observation Service Level A and with services being provided by the

future Milwaukee WFO;

(7) Rockford which will be automated at FAA Weather Observation

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

and Quad Cities WFOs;

(8) 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; and

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

Service Level A and with services being provided by the future New York

City 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 June 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 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; 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

committees prior to automating and closing these offices.

Dated: April 7, 1997.

Elbert W. Friday, Jr.,

Assistant Administrator for Weather Services.

[FR Doc. 97-9328 Filed 4-10-97; 8:45 am]

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