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--

[[Page 17381]]

(1) Chattanooga, Tennessee Weather Service Office (WSO) which will

be automated at FAA Weather Observation Service Level B and have its

services consolidated into the future Knoxville/Tri-Cities and

Nashville, Tennessee and Atlanta, Georgia Weather Forecast Offices

(WFOs); and

(2) Syracuse, New York Weather Service Office (WSO) which will be

automated at FAA Weather Observation Service Level A and have its

services consolidated into the future Binghamton and Buffalo, New York

and Burlington, Vermont Weather Forecast Offices (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 June 8, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Requests for copies of the proposed consolidation,

automation and closure package 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

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

certifications in the FR. The documentation supporting these proposed

certifications includes the following:

(1) A draft memorandum by the meteorologists-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 Reports, User Confirmation of Services Reports,

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

inplace supplementary data program at the responsible WFOs;

(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 package

because it is too voluminous to publish. Copies of the certification

package 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 MTC meeting

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.'' These

qualifications have been met for the above proposed certifications. If

a decision to certify is 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,

automating, and closing this office.

Dated: April 3, 1998.

John J. Kelly, Jr.,

Assistant Administrator for Weather Services.

[FR Doc. 98-9269 Filed 4-8-98; 8:45 am]

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