National Weather Service Modernization and Associated Restructuring

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Docket No. 990217051-9051-01]

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: In accordance with the requirements of Public Law 102-567, the

NWS is publishing proposed certifications for the consolidation,

automation, and closure of the following:

(1) Fort Smith, Arkansas, Weather Service Office (WSO) which will

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

services consolidated into the future Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Little Rock,

Arkansas, Weather Forecast Offices (WFOs); and

(2) Kahului, Hawaii, WSO which will be automated at Federal

Aviation Administration (FAA) Weather Observation Service Level C and

have its services consolidated into the future Honolulu, Hawaii, WFO.

Certifications are also proposed for the automation and closure of

the following WSOs at the indicated FAA Weather Observation Service

Level:

(1) Beckley, West Virginia, WSO which will be automated at FAA

Weather Observation Service Level D and with services being provided by

the future Charleston, West Virginia, and Roanoke, Virginia, WFOs;

(2) Boston, Massachusetts, Residual Weather Service Office (RWSO)

which will be automated at FAA Weather Observation Service Level A with

services being provided by the future Boston, Massachusetts, WFO;

(3) Concord, New Hampshire, WSO which will be automated at FAA

Weather Observation Service Level D with services being provided by the

future Portland, Maine, and Boston, Massachusetts, WFOs;

(4) Hartford, Connecticut, WSO which will be automated at FAA

Weather Observation Service Level A with services being provided by the

future Boston, Massachusetts; New York City; and Albany, New York,

WFOs;

(5) Portland, Maine, RWSO which will be automated at FAA Weather

Observation Service Level C with services being provided by the future

Portland, Maine, WFO;

(6) Providence, Rhode Island, WSO which will be automated at FAA

Weather Observation Service Level A with services being provided by the

future Boston, Massachusetts, WFO; and

(7) Worcester, Massachusetts, WSO which will be automated at FAA

Weather Observation Service Level C with services being provided by the

future Boston, Massachusetts, WFO. Additionally, certifications are

proposed for the closure of the following offices:

(1) Olympia, Washington, Fire Weather Office with services being

provided by the future Seattle/Tacoma, Washington, WFO;

(2) Salem, Oregon, Fire Weather Office with services being provided

by the future Portland, Oregon, WFO; and

(3) Wenatchee, Washington, Fire Weather Office with services being

provided by the future Spokane, Washington, WFO. In accordance with

Public Law 102-567, the public will have 60 days in which to comment on

these proposed certifications.

DATES: Comments are requested by May 26, 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 Public Law 102-

567, the Secretary of Commerce must certify that consolidation,

automation, and/or closure of an NWS field office will not result in a

degradation of service to the affected area of responsibility and must

publish the proposed certifications in the Federal Register.

Documentation supporting these proposed certifications includes the

following:

(1) For all certifications: 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) For all certifications: a description of local weather

characteristics and weather-related concerns which affect the weather

services provided within the service area;

(3) For all certifications: a comparison of services provided

within the service area to services to be provided after such action;

(4) For all certifications: a description of any recent or expected

modernization of NWS operations which will enhance services in the

service area;

(5) For all certifications: 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) 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

Decomissioning Readiness Report;

(7) For automation certifications: 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; series of three letters between NWS and FAA

confirming 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 back-up responsibility from NWS to FAA; successful

resolution of ASOS user confirmation of services complaints; and an

inplace supplementary data program at the responsible WFO;

(8) For closure certifications, where appropriate: warning and

forecast

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verification statistics for pre-modernized and modernized services

utilized in determining services have not been degraded;

(9) For closure certifications: an Air Safety Appraisal for offices

which are located on an airport; and

(10) For all certifications: 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 Public Law 102-567. In December 1995, the

Committee decided to forego the optional consultation on proposed

certifications. Instead, the Committee would only review certifications

after the public comment period closed so its consultation would

include the benefit of public comments which has been submitted. This

notice does not include the complete certification package because it

is too voluminous to publish. Copies of 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 final certifications in the

Federal Register and transmit the certifications to the appropriate

congressional committees prior to consolidating, automating, and

closing the office.

Dated: March 19, 1999.

John J. Kelly, Jr.,

Assistant Administrator for Weather Services.

[FR Doc. 99-7437 Filed 3-25-99; 8:45 am]

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