[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 191 (Thursday, October 2, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51643-51644]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-26127]
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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 following Weather Service
offices at the indicated FAA Weather Observation Service Level:
(1) Alamosa, CO Weather Service Office (WSO) which will be
automated at FAA Weather Observation Service Level D and have its
services consolidated into the future Pueblo and Grand Junction Weather
Forecast Offices (WFOs);
(2) Alpena, MI WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather
Observation Service Level D and have its services consolidated into the
future North Central Lower Michigan WFO;
(3) Houghton Lake, MI WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather
Observation Service Level D and have its services consolidated into the
future North Central Lower Michigan and Grand Rapids WFOs;
(4) Kalispell, MT WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather
Observation Service Level D and have its services consolidated into the
future Missoula WFO;
(5) Lander, WY WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather
Observation Service Level D and have its services consolidated into the
future Riverton WFO;
(6) Norfolk, NE WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather
Observation Service Level D and have its services consolidated into the
future Omaha and North Platte WFOs;
(7) Sault Ste. Marie, MI WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather
Observation Service Level D and have its services consolidated into the
future North Central Lower Michigan and Marquette WFOs;
(8) Scottsbluff, NE WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather
Observation Service Level D and have its services consolidated into the
future Cheyenne and North Platte WFOs;
(9) Sheridan, WY WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather
Observation Service Level D and have its services consolidated into the
future Billings and Riverton WFOs; and
(10) St. Cloud, MN WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather
Observation Service Level D and have its services consolidated into the
future Minneapolis and Aberdeen 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 December 1, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Requests for copies of the proposed consolidation,
automation and closure packages 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.
[[Page 51644]]
102-567, the Secretary of Commerce must certify that these
consolidation, automation, and closure certifications 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 each proposed
certification includes the following:
(1) A draft memorandum by the meteorologist(s)-in-charge
recommending the certification(s), 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 Report(s), User Confirmation of Services
Report(s), 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, where required, 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);
(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 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 certifications. At the June 25, and September
24, 1997 MTC meetings 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.'' It is expected that
these qualifications can be met for the above proposed certifications.
If these qualifications can not be met prior to the December MTC
meeting, these proposed certifications may or may not be presented to
the Committee. 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
consolidating, automating, and closing these offices.
Dated: September 26, 1997.
Robert S. Winokur,
Acting Assistant Administrator for Weather Services.
[FR Doc. 97-26127 Filed 10-1-97; 8:45 am]
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