National Weather Service; modernization and restructuring: Weather Service Offices— Consolidation, automation, and closure certifications,

[Federal Register: July 9, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 131)]

[Notices]

[Page 37105-37106]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr09jy99-35]

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.

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

[[Page 37106]]

(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. 99-17408Filed7-8-99; 8:45 am]

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