National Weather Service Modernization and Associated Restructuring

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Docket No. 990624172-9172-01]

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 publishes notice of proposed certifications for the

consolidation, automation, and closure of several Weather Service

Offices (WSO) and Fire Weather Offices (FWO). Notice is given of a

proposed certification for the automation and closure of the Los

Angeles, Aviation WSO which will be automated at Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA) Weather Observation Service Level A and have its

services consolidated into the Los Angeles Forecast Office. Notice is

also given of proposed certifications for the consolidation,

automation, and closure of the Redding WSO and FWO which will be

automated at FAA Weather Observation Service Level C and have its

services consolidated into the Sacramento and Eureka, California; Reno,

Nevada; and Medford, Oregon Forecast Offices. Finally, notice is given

of a proposed certification for the closure of the Riverside,

California FWO with services being provided by the San Diego and Los

Angeles, California; Las Vegas, Nevada; and Phoenix, Arizona Forecast

Offices.

DATES: Comments are requested to be mailed by September 7, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Requests for copies of proposed certification packages

should be sent to Tom Beaver, Room 11426, 1325 East-West Highway,

Silver Spring, Maryland 20910-3283, 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 extension

141.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to section 706 of Pub. L. 102-567,

the Secretary of Commerce must certify that consolidation, automation,

and/or closure of a NWS field office will not result in a degradation

of service to the affected area of responsibility and must propose such

certifications in the FR for 60-days public comment. Notice is given of

a proposed certification for the automation and closure of the Los

Angeles, Aviation WSO which will be automated at Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA) Weather Observation Service Level A and have its

services consolidated into the Los Angeles Forecast Office. Notice is

also given of proposed certifications for the consolidation,

automation, and closure of the Redding WSO and FWO which will be

automated at FAA Weather Observation Service Level C and have its

services consolidated into the Sacramento and Eureka, California; Reno,

Nevada; and Medford, Oregon Forecast Offices. Finally, notice is given

of a proposed certification for the closure of the Riverside,

California FWO with services being provided by the San Diego and Los

Angeles, California; Las Vegas, Nevada; and Phoenix, Arizona Forecast

Offices. Documentation supporting these proposed certifications

includes the following:

For all certifications:

(1) A draft memorandum by the meteorologist in charge recommending

the certification, the final of which will be concurred with 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 services provided within the service area to

services to be provided after such action;

(4) A description of any recent or expected modernization of NWS

operations 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 Doppler weather surveillance radar network (WSR-88D); and

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(6) A letter appointing a liaison officer for the action.

For consolidation certifications: evidence, based upon operational

demonstration of modernized NWS operations, which was considered in

reaching the conclusion that no degradation in service would result

from such action, including the WSR-88D Radar Commissioning Report,

User Confirmation of Services Report, and the Decommissioning Readiness

Report.

For automation certification:

(1) 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

Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) commissioning report;

(2) A series of three letters between NWS and FAA confirming

weather services will continue in full compliance with applicable

flight aviation rules after ASOS commissioning;

(3) Surface Aviation Observation Transition Checklist documenting

transfer of augmentation and back-up responsibility from NWS to FAA;

(4) Successful resolution of ASOS user confirmation of services

complaints; and

(5) An in-place supplementary data program at the responsible

forecast office.

For closure certifications:

(1) Where appropriate, warning and forecast verification statistics

for pre-modernized and modernized services utilized in determining

services have not been degraded; and

(2) An Air Safety Appraisal for offices which are located on an

airport.

For the proposed certifications covered by this notice, there is no

report of the Committee. The Committee has the option to submit a

report in accordance with sections 706(b)(6) and 707(c) of Pub. L. 102-

567. In December 1995, the Committee decided to forego the optional

consultation on proposed certifications. Instead, the Committee decided

to review certifications only after the public comment period closes so

that its consultation includes the benefit of all public comments

received. This notice does not publish the complete certification

packages because they are too voluminous. Copies of the complete

certification packages and supporting documentation can be obtained

from 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 final certifications in the FR

and transmit the certifications to the appropriate congressional

committees prior to consolidating, automating, and closing the office.

John J. Kelly, Jr.,

Assistant Administrator for Weather Services.

[FR Doc. 99-17408 Filed 7-8-99; 8:45 am]

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