Subject: National Weather Service (NWS) Modernization and Associated Restructuring

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Docket No. 990921259-9259-01]

Subject: National Weather Service (NWS) Modernization and

Associated Restructuring

AGENCY: 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 the:

(1) Erie, Pennsylvania, Weather Service Office (WSO) which will be

automated at Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Weather Observation

Service Level C and have its services consolidated into the Cleveland,

Ohio, and the Pittsburgh and Central Pennsylvania Forecast Offices; and

(2) Fairbanks, Alaska, WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather

Observation Service Level A and have its services consolidated into the

Fairbanks forecast office.

DATES: comments are requested to be mailed by November 29, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Send all comments and requests for copies of proposed

certification packages to Tom Beaver, Room 11426, 1325 East-West

Highway, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910-3283.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Beaver at 301-713-0300 extension

136.

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

the Secretary of Commerce must certify that consolidation, automation,

and closure of an 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. Having studied and

evaluated the winter weather forecast capabilities and requirements to

ensure no degradation of service to the Erie, Pennsylvania, service

area, the NWS determined removal of the WSR-74C radar would cause a

degradation of service for some lake-effect snow events. Accordingly,

NWS will continue operating the WSR-74C radar at Erie during the winter

season until a new FAA radar is installed at the Erie airport in 2001

and suitability of weather data from the FAA radar is validated by the

NWS in consultation with users. The described actions to be undertaken

by the NWS will prevent any degradation from occurring and, thus,

notice is given of the proposed consolidation, automation, and closure

of the Erie, Pennsylvania, WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather

Observation Service Level C and have its services consolidated into the

Cleveland, Ohio, and the Pittsburgh and Central Pennsylvania Forecast

Offices.

The Fairbanks forecast office is now collocated with the University

of Alaska at Fairbanks. Having transitioned all services to the

Fairbanks forecast office and having verified no degradation of

service, notice is given of the proposed consolidation, automation, and

closure of the Fairbanks, Alaska, WSO which will be automated at FAA

Weather Observation Service Level A and have the remainder of its

services consolidated into the Fairbanks forecast office.

Documentation supporting each of these proposed certifications

includes the following:

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

the certifications, 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 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);

(6) Evidence, based upon operational demonstration of modernized

NWS operations, which was considered in reaching the preliminary

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, where appropriate;

(7) Evidence, based upon operational demonstration of modernized

NWS operations, which was considered in reaching the preliminary

conclusion that no degradation in service will result from such action,

including the Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) commissioning

report;

(8) Three letters between NWS and FAA confirming weather services

will continue in full compliance with applicable flight aviation rules

after ASOS commissioning;

(9) Surface Aviation Observation Transition Checklist documenting

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

(10) Demonstration of the successful resolution of any ASOS user

confirmation of services complaints;

(11) Documentation of an in-place supplementary data program at the

responsible forecast office;

(12) Where appropriate, warning and forecast verification

statistics for pre-modernized and modernized services utilized in

determining services have not been degraded;

(13) An Air Safety Appraisal for offices on an airport; and

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

Section 706 of Pub. L. 102-567 establishes the Modernization

Transition Committee to advise the Secretary of Commerce on proposed

modernization actions. The Committee has the option to submit a report

to the Secretary in accordance with sections 706(b)(6) and 707(c) of

Pub. L. 102-567. For the proposed certifications covered by this

notice, there is no report of the Committee. In December 1995, the

Committee decided to forego the

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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

certification packages can be obtained from the contact listed above.

Once 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 final decision to certify an

office is made, the Secretary of Commerce must publish final

certifications in the FR and transmit them to the appropriate

congressional committees prior to consolidating, automating, and

closing the office.

Dated: September 23, 1999.

Irwin T. David,

Chief Financial Officer/Chief Administrative Officer National Weather

Service.

[FR Doc. 99-25287 Filed 9-28-99; 8:45 am]

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