![](media/image1.png){width="1.4166666666666667in" height="1.375in"}\
![](media/image2.png){width="7.136111111111111in"
height="5.002083333333333in"}![](media/image3.jpeg){width="4.639583333333333in"
height="2.2875in"}

# Table of Contents

# 

[Introduction 3](#introduction)

[Background 3](#background)

[What Will Be Measured and Reported
4](#what-will-be-measured-and-reported)

[Why We Are Interested In Your Site
5](#why-we-are-interested-in-your-site)

[General Geographic Location Factors
6](#general-geographic-location-factors)

[Classification for Temperature/Humidity
7](#classification-for-temperaturehumidity)

[Classification for Precipitation 7](#classification-for-precipitation)

[Classification for Solar Radiation
8](#classification-for-solar-radiation)

[Classification for Wind 8](#classification-for-wind)

[Site Layout 8](#site-layout)

[Site Selection Process 9](#site-selection-process)

[Site Survey and Preparation 9](#site-survey-and-preparation)

[The Installation Process 9](#the-installation-process)

[Operational Maintenance 10](#operational-maintenance)

[Equipment and Instrument Maintenance
10](#equipment-and-instrument-maintenance)

[Site Maintenance 10](#site-maintenance)

[Host Organization Activities 10](#host-organization-activities)

[Acronyms 12](#acronyms)

[APPENDIX 13](#appendix)

[SITE LICENSE AGREEMENT 14](#__RefHeading___Toc10556061)

#   {#section-1 .unnumbered}

# Introduction

The purpose of this U. S. Climate Reference Network (USCRN) Site
Information Handbook is to provide an overview of the USCRN Program and
the requirements needed to establish and maintain an instrument site.
This handbook provides a general description of a typical instrument
site, site preparation and installation activities, access to power, and
minimal maintenance requirements. A draft copy of the Site License
Agreement is included at the end of this handbook. This draft agreement
has been reviewed and approved by the Department of Commerce, Office of
the General Counsel. There is some flexibility to make minor
modifications to meet specific concerns or needs of the host
organization granting use of their property.

The USCRN Program has the long-term commitment of the Department of
Commerce (DOC) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA). This network will be maintained and modernized during the life
of the program.

This is a unique opportunity to participate in a program that will
collect and analyze the highest quality climate data possible. Research
based on these data will directly support near and long term policy and
decision plans made by senior government and business leaders.

The USCRN Program Manager will contact the appropriate person(s) that
you may suggest to further discuss the host organization's opportunity
to be a partner in establishing a high quality USCRN instrument site on
the respective property.

# Background

The research community, government agencies, and private businesses have
identified significant shortcomings in understanding and examining
long-term climate trends and change over the U.S. and surrounding
regions. Some of these shortcomings are due to the lack of adequate
documentation of operations and changes regarding the existing and
earlier observing networks, the observing sites, and the instrumentation
over the life of the network. These include inadequate overlapping
observations when new instruments were installed and not using
well-maintained, calibrated high-quality instruments. These factors
increase the level of uncertainty when government and business
decision-makers are considering long-range strategic policies and plans.
Never before have people been so aware of the impact of the environment
and climate variability and change on the quality of life and the
economic health of a nation, its citizens, and the population of the
world. This project will serve as a model for establishing similar
networks in other countries.

The U. S. Climate Reference Network (USCRN) is a new climate-observing
network supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA). The Ten Climate Monitoring Principles recognized by the National
Research Council (NRC) and members of the World Meteorological
Organization (WMO) will guide this climate-observing network. This
network meets the requirements of the Global Climate Observing System
(GCOS). The USCRN Program is being implemented and managed by the
National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) located in Asheville, NC.
Scientists and engineers from the Atmospheric Turbulence and Diffusion
Division (ATDD) located in Oak Ridge, TN, are assisting the NCDC USCRN
Program staff. System design and test, implementation, and associated
programmatic budgets and plans support is being provided by the NESDIS
Office of systems Development.

The primary goal of the U. S. Climate Reference Network (USCRN) is to
provide future long-term high quality observations of surface air
temperature and precipitation that can be coupled to past long-term
observations for the detection and attribution of present and future
climate change. The USCRN fulfills the Nation's need for long-term high
quality climate observations and records with minimal time-dependent
biases affecting the interpretation of decadal to centennial climate
variability and change.

The USCRN will provide the Nation with a first class long-term (50 to
100 years) observing network that will serve as the Nation's Benchmark
Climate Reference Network. When fully implemented, the network will
consist of several hundred instrument suites strategically selected to
capture climate trends, variations, and change across the Nation.

Data from these USCRN sites will be used to provide the best possible
information on long-term changes in air temperature and precipitation,
including means and extremes. Additional sensors may be added in the
future, such as soil moisture and soil temperature.

USCRN data will be used in operational climate monitoring activities and
for placing current climate anomalies into a historical perspective.
These data will be transmitted hourly via the GOES Data Collection
System (DCS) and immediately distributed by the National Weather Service
(NWS) to their operational sites. These observations will also be
available on-line and accessible via the Worldwide Web (WWW).

Essential components of the USCRN are well-documented life cycle
maintenance, modernization, and performance histories, as well as a
robust science and research component. There will be routine maintenance
visits to the sites and regular calibration of the sensors. The
performance of the sensors and the network will be routinely monitored.
The research effort will continually evaluate the data, new sensors, and
emerging calibration techniques. When a new type sensor can contribute
to improving the quality of the observations, there will be at least a
one-year continuity overlap of current and new sensors.

# What Will Be Measured and Reported

Every USCRN instrument site is being equipped with a standard set of
sensors, a data logger, and a satellite communications transmitter
attached to a typical 3 meter (10 ft.) instrument tower, as well as at
least one weighing rain gauge, encircled by a wind shield. Off-the-shelf
commercial equipment and sensors are being selected based on
performance, durability, and cost.

High accuracy and precision measurements are critical. There will be a
well-defined maintenance program, to include the calibration of
installed sensors and periodic replacement of aging sensors. The
performance of the network will be monitored on a daily basis.
Indications of problems may warrant contacting the site and, if
necessary, will be followed by a site visit within a few days.

[Sensors are placed on the instrument tower at 1.5 meters (4.5 ft.)
above the surface of the ground]{.underline}: three temperature sensors
each enclosed in aspirated solar radiation shields, a cup anemometer
(wind speed), a pyranometer (solar energy), and an infrared (IR)
thermometer (ground, skin, surface temperature). A relative humidity
sensor will be added upon completion of the evaluation period, late
calendar year (CY) 2003. Special considerations will be made for areas
with considerable snowfall and snow depth.

The USCRN Program will measure the following climate related parameters:

-   Air Temperature (Primary Measurement)

-   Precipitation (Primary Measurement)

-   Solar Radiation (incoming global solar energy at the surface of the
    earth)

-   Wind Speed (not direction)

-   Ground (Skin) Surface Temperature (IR)

-   Relative Humidity

-   Soil Moisture and Temperature

Precipitation data, recorded every fifteen minutes, and the other hourly
observations will be collected and stored in a data logger attached to
the tower. These data will be transmitted within a few minutes after
each hour via a GOES satellite transmitter for further delivery to the
National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), Asheville, NC. Summary of the Day
(SOD) statistics will be computed operationally at the NCDC. The
instrument system is designed with the capacity for future expansion to
accommodate additional sensors, such as soil moisture, soil temperature,
atmospheric pressure, and wind speed/direction at the standard 10-meter
height. The design allows for future additions of sensors on the tower
without disrupting the physical site.

# Why We Are Interested In Your Site

There are many scientific criteria governing site selection. A Network
Spatial Density Study has been conducted to determine the number of
instrument suites and the approximate (general) geographic locations.
About 215 instrument suites selectively located throughout the 50
states, Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands will capture on a national
spatial scale at least 90% of the National signal for climate trends,
variations, and change. Additional studies are required to determine how
many additional sites and where are needed to capture the regional scale
changes to at least the 80% confidence level. The USCRN budget will
determine the actual number of instrument suites that can be supported.

A significant consideration when examining specific instrument sites is
whether the area surrounding the candidate instrument site has a high
degree of probability of continuing in its present condition, without
major changes for very long periods of time (50 to 100 years). The need
for unchanging physical surroundings, particularly encroachment by
man-made structures, is a key factor in determining the probable
long-term stability of a potential site.

# General Geographic Location Factors 

Consider the factors below when exploring and examining the suitability
of the general geographic location, as well as the specific instrument
site:

-   Regionally and Spatially Representative. Stations will be
    distributed to ensure that all major nodes of regional climate
    variability are captured while taking into account large-scale
    regional topographic factors. The Network Spatial Density Study will
    provide guidance.

-   General location sensitive to measuring long term climate
    variability and trends. The site location is representative of the
    climate of the region, and is not heavily influenced by unique local
    topographic and mesoscale/microscale features/factors.

-   Reasonably high probability of Long Term Site Stability and
    surrounding area. Minimize risk of man made encroachments over time
    and/or the chance the site will close due to the sale of the land or
    other factors. Stations located on government (federal, state,
    local) land or at colleges (granted/deeded land with land use
    restrictions) often provide a higher stability factor. This
    criterion also includes the need for USCRN deployment and
    maintenance personnel to have reasonably convenient access to the
    site. A review of recent (last ten years) and possible future
    population growth patterns in the area is a part of the overall
    evaluation process.

-   Avoid high-risk sites: Flood Plains (low areas adjacent to river
    basins, estuaries, and coastal offshore barrier islands/beaches);
    Extreme/above average frequency of tornado incidents; Enclosed
    locations that may "trap" air and create unusually high incidents of
    fog, cold air advection, etc.; Vicinity of orographically induced
    winds, such as Santa Ana and Chinook; Complex meteorological zones,
    such as adjacent to an ocean or other large bodies of water; and
    Persistent periods of extreme snow depths (e.g., several meters/tens
    of feet). Digital topographic maps and a climatological profile of
    the area will be examined as part of the overall site evaluation and
    selection process. When available, aerial photographs are very
    useful.

-   Proximity (within a few tens of kilometers) to an existing or former
    observing site with a relatively long period of record (decades) of
    daily maximum and minimum temperature and precipitation is highly
    desirable. The historical data (metadata) record and observational
    data from these sites should be of sufficient quality and detail to
    permit reasonable processing of the data to account for changes with
    a high degree of confidence (i.e., documented vegetation and terrain
    changes, changes in the location of the station and/or instruments,
    type of instruments described, the observation time, the observing
    practices, etc.).

-   Site is located in the vicinity of other similar observing systems,
    which are operated and maintained by personnel with a knowledge,
    understanding, and appreciation for the purpose of climate observing
    systems.

-   Avoid endangered species habitats and sensitive historical locations
    of a sensitive nature.

-   [AC power source available nearby]{.underline}. However, in some
    cases solar panels may be an alternative to achieve the use of an
    otherwise desired location.

-   [Relatively easy year round access]{.underline} by vehicle for
    installation and periodic maintenance.

**Local Site Representativity Evaluation** (Classification Scheme)

The most desirable local surrounding landscape is a relatively large and
flat open area with low local vegetation in order that the sky view is
unobstructed in all directions except at the lower angles of altitude
above the horizon. The area occupied by an individual instrument site is
typically about 18 m x 18 m (\~60 ft x \~60 ft).

Local environmental and nearby terrain factors have an influence on the
\"quality of a measurement.\" The selection of a USCRN instrument site
will be the result of a balance between competing demands, such as those
highlighted above and an assessment of the "quality of measurements"
guidelines outlined below.

There will be many sites that are less than ideal. The USCRN will use
the classification scheme below to document the "meteorological
measurements representativity" at each site. This scheme, described by
Michel Leroy (1998), is being used by Meteo-France to classify their
network of approximately 550 stations. The classification ranges from 1
to 5 for each measured parameter. The errors for the different classes
are estimated values.

## Classification for Temperature/Humidity

Class 1: Flat and horizontal ground surrounded by a clear surface with a
slope below 1/3 (\<19º). Grass/low vegetation ground cover \<10 cm high.
Sensors located at least 100 meters (m) from artificial heating or
reflecting surfaces, such as buildings, concrete surfaces, and parking
lots. Far from large bodies of water, except if it is representative of
the area, and then located at least 100 meters away. No shading when the
sun elevation \>3 degrees.

Class 2: Same as Class 1 with the following differences. Surrounding
Vegetation \<25 cm. Artificial heating sources within 30m. No shading
for a sun elevation \>5º.

Class 3 (error 1ºC): Same as Class 2, except no artificial heating
sources within 10m.

Class 4 (error \>/= 2ºC): Artificial heating sources \<10m.

Class 5 (error \>/= 5ºC): Temperature sensor located next to/above an
artificial heating source, such a building, roof top, parking lot, or
concrete surface.

## Classification for Precipitation

One factor to consider is an area surrounded by uniform obstacles of
about the same height. Wind speed is a significant factor that affects
the accuracy of measuring liquid and frozen precipitation. Often, a wind
shield is placed around the precipitation gauge to improve the accuracy
of the "catch." Wind speed (no direction) at USCRN sites is measured at
a height of 1.5m, near the height of the gauge orifice.

Class 1: Flat horizontal ground surround by a cleared surface with a
slope below 1/3 (\<19º). Any obstacle must be located at a distance of
at least 4 times the height of the obstacle.

An obstacle is an object seen from the precipitation gauge with an
angular width of =/\>10 degrees.

Class 2 (error 5%): Same as Class 1, except an obstacle is located at a
distance of at least 2 times its height.

Class 3 (error 10% to 20%): Ground with a slope below 1/2 (\<30º). Any
obstacle is located at a distance of at least its height.

Class 4 (error \>20%): Ground with a slope \>30º. Obstacles located at a
distance less than their height.

Class 5 (error \> 50%): Obstacles overhanging the gauge.

## Classification for Solar Radiation 

Class 1: Flat horizontal ground with a slope of the terrain \<2º. No
obstacles within 100 meters.

Class 2 (error 10%): Slope of the terrain \<5º. Obstacles within 100m
and an angular height \>7º but \<10º.

Class 3 (error 15%): Slope of the terrain \<7º. Obstacles within 100m
and an angular height =/\>10º.

Class 4 (error 20%): Obstructions that would obstruct a significant
portion of direct radiation.

Class 5 (error 30%): Obstacles overhanging the sensor or near a
building.

## Classification for Wind 

Defined for wind sensor at a height of 10m. USCRN measures wind speed
only (no direction0 at a height of 1.5m.

Class 1: Sensor located at a distance of at least ten (10) times the
height of the obstacle (elevation angle \<5.7º). Object considered an
obstacle if seen at angular width \>10º. Obstacle is below 5.5m height
within a 150m radius and 7m within a 300m radius. Wind sensor located a
minimum distance of 15 times the width of thin nearby obstacles (i.e.
mast, tree with angular width \<10º). Surrounding terrain relief change
\</= 5m within a 300m radius.

Class 2 (error 10%): Same as Class 1 except terrain change \</= 5m
within a 100m radius.

Class 3 (error 20%): Same as Class 1 except no obstacles within five
times the height of the nearby obstacles (elevation angle \<11.3º). Wind
sensor located a minimum distance of 10 times the width of thin nearby
obstacles. Terrain change \</= 1m within a 10m radius.

Class 4 (error 30%): Same as Class 3 except no obstacles within 2.5
times the height of the nearby obstacles (elevation angle \<21.8º).

Class 5 (error \>40%): Obstacles within 2.5 times the height of the
nearby obstacles.

Class 6 (error \>50%): Obstacles with a height \>10m, seen with an
angular width greater than 60º are within a 20m distance.

# Site Layout

Figure 1 provides an example of a typical instrument site configuration.
The wind shield around the precipitation gauge helps to improve the
accuracy of the liquid and frozen precipitation catches. Atypical
instrument suite installed and operational in Stillwater, OK is depicted
on the cover of this booklet.

The area occupied by an individual instrument suite (site) is not very
large, approximately 18 m x 18 m (\~60 ft x \~60 ft). There is a
requirement for a nearby source of AC power. However, in some cases
where AC power is not available or prohibitively expensive to install,
the use of solar panels may be a viable alternative. The preferred
installation is to bury the power cable below the ground. The equipment
and sensors are actually operated by DC power from batteries on a
trickle charge from the AC or solar power. DC power provides a more
stable power source for the sensors and ensures continued operation for
several days when there is an AC (or solar) power disruption. The power
situation will be examined during the site selection process. Depending
on the site, a chain link fence or cattle fence, typically about four or
five feet high with a gate, might be installed.

# 

# 

# Site Selection Process

The potential site owner/proprietor (host organization) reviews this
handbook and the draft copy of the Site License Agreement (see
Appendix). The potential host organization manager determines if a 60' x
60' area seems reasonable for on-site examination by a member of the
USCRN Program team. A discussion via telephone and, if possible, an
exchange of digital pictures will determine if a site visit by a USCRN
Program team member is in order. USCRN Program personnel will visit the
site, agree to the specific parcel(s) of land, and execute the Site
License Agreement with the host organization.

# Site Survey and Preparation

USCRN Program personnel experienced in the preparation of a site and the
installation of instruments will visit the site and work with local
personnel to prepare the site for installation. Guidance from local
personnel can be very helpful in identifying local contractors and
acquiring permits that are required to pull AC power (buried cable is
preferred), dig holes for concrete pads, pour concrete for the 10m
instrument tower pad (about 3' x 3' x 4' deep) and about 53 feet from
the tower the precipitation gauge pad (about 2' x 2' x 2.5' deep, or
more depending on the local frost depth), and install a fence, if
needed. The USCRN Program personnel will perform or supervise all site
preparations and equipment installations, and will check out the entire
system. The USCRN Program pays all costs associated with site
preparation and equipment installation.

# The Installation Process

Equipment and instruments undergo extensive calibration and system
field-testing prior to delivery and installation at the site. This
period of time is about three months long. Steps needed for a USCRN
system installation include as a minimum:

-   Site Survey - Document (Site Survey Checklist) Potential Site: 1-2
    days per location.

-   Site Preparation (includes building permits, contract services,
    engineering drawings, FCC approval, etc.): 1-3 days per site.

-   Develop Installation Schedule.

-   System Installation and Activation: 3-4 days per instrument site.

-   Field Calibration: ½ day per instrument site.

-   Operational Test and Evaluation Period (about \~7 months after
    installation).

-   System Final Acceptance and Initiate Routine Maintenance Cycle.

Site Survey, Preparation, and Installation Reports will be completed.
Extensive data about the instrument site and the surrounding area will
be recorded. Latitude, longitude, and elevation and the distance to and
height of significant features surrounding the site will be documented.
Digital photographs (360-degree coverage) will be taken during
installation. These data will become part of the site's permanent
station history file and available to the host organization and other
users.

Site preparation may be completed prior to the instrument installation
visit, or all site preparation, system installation, and associated
activation activities may be combined into one visit. All permits and
contracts will be completed prior to arriving to perform the site
preparation (start during the Site Survey visit).

# Operational Maintenance

Operational maintenance will consist of maintenance of all installed
equipment and instruments and site maintenance.

## Equipment and Instrument Maintenance

At a minimum, there will be at least one scheduled annual maintenance
visit to each site. This visit will include routine and corrective
equipment maintenance and instrument field calibration, diagnosis,
replacement, and repair. Sensor and system performance will be routinely
monitored and evaluated by NCDC personnel and partners through the
examination and analysis of the hourly data transmitted from the site
and the Summary of the Day (SOD) statistics. Malfunctioning and damaged
equipment and instruments will be repaired or replaced, typically within
a few days.

## Site Maintenance

The frequency of site maintenance (e.g., mowing, snow removal, trimming
weeds along the fence) will be dictated by the location and physical
characteristics of each site.

# Host Organization Activities

Services to be rendered by the host organization will be discussed when
negotiating the Site License Agreement. The host organization will
identify a local site contact. If conveniently located nearby, this
person will be asked to provide periodic (weekly preferred) visual
inspections of the site for security reasons, and report physical damage
and maintenance needs. In addition, at the request of the USCRN Program
Manager, the local person will visually inspect the site when the USCRN
Program Staff detects a problem when analyzing the data. The host
organization's local representative should immediately contact the USCRN
Program Office when there is a security or other physical problem, and
will secure the site from further damage (and for personnel safety
reasons) until a USCRN Program team member arrives. Other activities the
local representative might be asked to perform include:

-   Minimum maintenance of the site (i.e. remove broken branches and
    other debris that fall on the sensors or tower, mow grass, cut weeds
    along the fence, brush snow off sensors).

-   Clean pyranometer (solar radiation sensor).

-   Empty rain gauge(s) and remove debris as needed.

-   Provide USCRN personnel with access to the site and AC power source.

**Read More About the USCRN Program at:
<http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/crn.html>**

![](media/image4.jpeg){width="7.166666666666667in" height="6.0in"}

**Figure 1**

# Acronyms

AC Alternating Current

ATDD Atmospheric Turbulence Diffusion Division

Comm Communications

USCRN U. S. Climate Reference Network

DC Direct Current

DCS Data Collection System

DOC Department of Commerce

GCOS Global Climate Observing System

GOES Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite

NCAR National Center for Atmospheric Research

NCDC National Climatic Data Center

NESDIS National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Services

NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NOAAPort NOAAPort (NWS Communications Broadcast System)

NWS National Weather Service

OSD Office of Systems Development

SOD Summary of the Day

WMO World Meteorological Organization

WWW Worldwide Web

# APPENDIX

**USCRN SITE LICENSE AGREEMENT (SLA) INSTRUCTIONS**

The attached Site License Agreement (SLA) has been reviewed and approved
by the Office of the General Counsel and the Realty Specialists at the
Department of Commerce (DOC), NOAA Legal Counsel, and the NOAA Eastern
Administrative Support Center (EASC), Norfolk, VA.

Sometimes, the site survey reveals that the property is not acceptable.
The up front work and discussions will in most cases preclude this
situation from occurring. This ensures that all parties understand what
is being asked of each other before time and travel funds are expended
on a trip to the sites. The below sequence of events will help to
prevent premature expectation of acceptance before the site review and
selection process is completed.

1\. [Before the Site Survey]{.underline}, the Host Organization reviews
the SLA and discusses any potential changes with the lead RCC/SC reps.
Unresolved issues or questions should be referred to the USCRN Program
Manager.

2\. [Prior to obtaining a signed SLA, a Site Survey will be
conducted]{.underline}. The USCRN Site Review Committee will review the
completed Site Survey Checklist, digital photographs, and the Summary
Recommendations of the Site Survey Team/RCC. The review committee will
either recommend the site for acceptance or not accept the site. The
review committee's recommendation will then be presented to the
Director, NCDC, for approval. (See Note below)

3\. The Host Organization may have a requirement or need to make a
*minor modification* to one or more of the SLA paragraphs. [When this
occurs and before any signatures are obtained]{.underline}, a digital
copy of the SLA with the changes annotated must be forwarded to the
USUSCRN Program Manager. The changes will receive a timely (typically
less than a week) review by the NOAA Legal Counsel to ensure the essence
of the DOC approved format and content has not been significantly
altered. The Host Organization will be contacted regarding the outcome
of the review and a digital copy of the final wording agreed to by both
parties will be forwarded to the Host Organization for signature.

4\. [The Host Organization signs the SLA and sends it directly to the
NCDC USCRN Program Manager]{.underline}, National Climatic Data Center,
Federal Building, 151 Patton Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801-5001. The
Director, National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), signs the SLA.

5\. [The original copy will be forwarded to the Realty Section, EASC,
Norfolk, VA]{.underline}. The Realty Specialist will sign the SLA and
file the original in the EASC files and enter the site information into
the "Land View" data base, as required by DOC Regulations. A copy of the
SLA with the Realty Signature will be returned to the USCRN Program
Manager. The USCRN Program Manager will forward one of the signed copies
to the Host Organization and the respective Regional Climate Center
(RCC). A copy may be provided by the RCC to the respective State
Climatologist (SC) per their respective arrangements. One copy will be
filed in the NCDC USCRN Program files. Occasionally, the Host
Organization sends more than one original and requests these extra
copies with original signatures are return to the Host Organization.
This will be accommodated as requested.

6\. [Every effort should be made to ensure a complete description of the
property is included in the signed SLA]{.underline}. Typically, the
description of the property will be included in the second paragraph of
the SLA. However, sometimes an SLA is signed without the specific
coordinates and other information about the piece of property included
in the SLA. In this case, a signed memorandum from the Director,
National Climatic Data Center, specifying the description of the
property selected will be forwarded to the Host Organization and EASC
for attachment to the already signed SLA. A copy of the memo will be
retained by the NCDC USCRN Program Manager and attached to the
respective signed SLA.

09/04/02Rev

**SITE LICENSE AGREEMENT (SLA)**

**FOR THE INSTALLATION AND OPERATION OF THE**

**U. S. CLIMATE REFERENCE NETWORK (USCRN) EQUIPMENT**

THIS AGREEMENT, effective as of ***XX Insert DATE* XX ,**

, is by and between the ***XX Insert Host Organization Name XX***,
(\"Licensor\") and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA), National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service
(NESDIS), National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) (\"Licensee\").

WHEREAS Licensee desires to install and operate a NOAA U.S. Climate
Reference Network (USCRN) meteorological station on Licensor\'s property
(the \"Site\");

***XX Insert City, County, State, Zip Code, Latitude, Longitude, and
Elevation for EACH SITE (if SLA covers more than one piece of property)
XX***

WHEREAS, Licensor is willing to permit, to the extent that it may do so
lawfully, the installation of such USCRN station at the Site for use by
Licensee solely for non-commercial operations and in a manner that will
maintain the integrity of the Site, under the following terms and
conditions;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants, terms and
conditions herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1\. Grant of License.

Licensor hereby grants to Licensee a revocable license, at no charge, to
install a NOAA USCRN meteorological station on the Site, solely for
non-commercial purposes. Licensor agrees to permit the use of, and
access by vehicle to, a small parcel of land (approximately 60 feet by
60 feet) on the Site, for installation of the USCRN station. The design,
installation and operation of the USCRN station shall be performed in
such a manner as to provide unqualified assurance that the USCRN station
will in no way cause or constitute interference with Licensor\'s
activities.

2\. Terms and Conditions of License.

This license and the permission granted hereunder to conduct the
activities described in Paragraph 1 hereof shall be effective as of the
date stated above and shall continue in effect until this Agreement is
terminated in writing by either party upon sixty (60) days prior written
notice to the other party.

The Licensor recognizes that the USCRN station will be part of a
national network which will monitor the climate of the United States
over the 21st Century and beyond and which will provide high quality
homogeneous data.

The Licensee plans to operate this USCRN station indefinitely. The
Licensee agrees to remove all Government equipment within sixty (60)
days if so requested, in writing, by Licensor or when the installation
is no longer required by the Licensee.

The installation and all maintenance of the USCRN station are to be
performed at Licensee\'s sole expense. Licensee agrees to give Licensor
sufficient prior notice each time that Licensee or its contractor
performs installation or other work on the USCRN station to allow
Licensor to be present, if it so elects, during such work. Provided,
however, that Licensee expressly recognizes and agrees that Licensor
shall have no liability to Licensee or anyone in connection with or
arising from Licensee\'s installation and maintenance of the station.

In addition, in recognition of the fact that Licensee is a guest on real
property, Licensee agrees to fully comply with the policies, procedures,
and practices established by Licensor with regard to personnel access
and activities while on Licensor's premises. This includes assuring all
Licensee personnel requiring access to the Site are properly trained in
relevant safety procedures.

Site preparation is to be performed at the Licensee\'s sole expense.
Licensor acknowledges that site preparation may require clearing of
trees (typically not requested) and excavation (typically limited to the
tower and rain gauge concrete foundations) of the land in the immediate
vicinity of the USCRN station (i.e., 60' x 60' parcel of land). It will
also require the extension of AC power lines to the station (typically
buried) and the erection of security fencing (to be defined by the
Licensor and Licensee depending on the site situation). No such clearing
of trees or excavation will be done without prior approval from the
Licensor and will be discussed during the Site Survey visit.

The USCRN station will be deployed near a source of AC power. Licensor
hereby gives permission to Licensee to tap into this AC power source,
which is necessary to maintain the integrity of the Site. Licensor has
determined not to charge Licensee for USCRN AC power costs, given that
the administrative cost of recovering such amount from Licensee would
exceed the cost of the AC power used by the USCRN, which is expected to
be *de minimis*.

It is anticipated that Licensee\'s installation and operation of the
USCRN station will require access to the Site for a three-day equipment
installation period, a one-day twice-yearly service visit thereafter,
and site survey activities prior to and during the installation period
and during the service visits. Also, in the event of equipment
malfunction or damage, brief access will be required for emergency
maintenance. For the purpose of such emergency maintenance, Licensor
will provide Licensee prompt (within 24 hours) access to its property.

Licensor and Licensee recognize the importance of maintaining Site
integrity for among other things, to permit Licensor's future use of the
Site and minimize potential impacts from long-term land use and land
cover changes on the climate record at the USCRN Site, such as
irrigation and tilling of the land near the site, typically within 100
meters. Towards that end, Licensor will report to Licensee within 24
hours any damage to the USCRN station, which Licensor observes. In
addition, as a condition of Licensor's granting of this License
Agreement, Licensee authorizes Licensor to: (1) maintain the integrity
of the USCRN station Site, including mowing vegetation, where such site
maintenance is part of the normal operations of the Licensor, (2) to
inspect and, if necessary, clean on a monthly basis the quartz diffuser
on the pyranometer, (3) to empty the weighing-bucket rain gauge on a
monthly basis and after each rainstorm of ten inches or more, and (4) to
maintain written records of this maintenance, including date, time, what
was done, and who did the maintenance. Licensee agrees to instruct
Licensor on how to inspect and clean the pyranometer diffuser and empty
the rain gauge bucket.

3\. Licensee\'s Operations.

The Licensee will be responsible for the negligent acts or omissions of
its employees as a result of the USCRN station being installed and
operated on Licensor\'s site pursuant to the Federal Tort Claims Act or
other applicable law. Licensee will consider and adjudicate any claims
for damages or injury sustained by its personnel in the performance of
their official duties in connection with this agreement pursuant to the
Federal Employees Compensation Act or other applicable law.

4\. No Third Party Beneficiary.

This Agreement is intended to be solely for the benefit of parties
hereto and is not intended to be for the benefit of any third party.

5\. Default.

In the event of the breach of any term or condition of this Agreement,
in addition to its other remedies available under this Agreement or by
law, Licensor may cancel this Agreement upon thirty (30) days written
notice to Licensee.

6\. Removal of Equipment.

In the event this agreement is terminated or canceled for any reason,
Licensee shall promptly remove or have removed its equipment and shall
leave the area in as good condition as existed at the time the equipment
was installed, save the removal of trees and excavation of land.

7\. No Assignment or Subletting.

Licensee shall not assign, transfer, or sublet any right or privilege
hereby granted without the prior written consent of Licensor.

8\. Publicity.

Licensee will distribute the data that is collected from the USCRN
station to all public and private users via standard Licensee and
National Weather Service data distribution channels.

Licensor will have the option, at its expense, for real-time local
display of the USCRN station\'s data. Licensee will work with Licensor
to set up the system to provide local display if this option is
exercised.

9\. No Waiver.

The failure of Licensor to enforce or insist upon compliance with any of
the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall not constitute a
general waiver or relinquishment of any such terms or conditions, but
the same shall be and remain at all times in full force and effect.

10\. Waiver of Compensation

Licensor affirms that, in consideration of Licensee's acceptance of
Licensor's performance of the services mentioned in the final paragraph
of Section 2 of this Agreement, Licensor will not expect nor demand
compensation for those services.

11\. Entire Agreement.

This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with
regard to the license to install and maintain the USCRN station and
supersedes all previous and contemporaneous negotiations,
understandings, and agreements, written or oral, between the parties.
This Agreement may only be amended or modified in writing signed by both
parties.

12\. Survival.

It is the express intention and agreement of the parties hereto that all
covenants, agreements, statements, representations, and warranties made
in this Agreement shall survive the execution and delivery of this
Agreement.

13\. Partial Invalidity.

If any provision of this Agreement is held by a court of competent
jurisdiction to be illegal or unenforceable, the illegal or
unenforceable provision shall be deemed deleted and the remaining
provisions shall continue in full force and effect, provided that the
performance, rights, and obligations of the parties under this Agreement
are not materially adversely affected by such deletion.

14\. Agreement Subject to Federal Law.

Licensee\'s liability to Licensor or to any third party for damage,
injury, or loss arising from Licensee\'s activities under this license
and installation or maintenance of the USCRN station shall be subject to
applicable Federal law. Execution of this Agreement in no way
constitutes an obligation of funds by Licensee.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties by their duly authorized representatives
have signed this Agreement as of the data stated above.

(Signatures)

FOR: (fill in Licensor/Host Activity Name) FOR: National Climatic Data
Center

Title: Title: Director

Date: Date:

EASC Reality Specialist Signature/Date: Number range CHAPTER***NOTE: ALL
SIGNATURES MUST APPEAR ON A SINGLE (THE SAME) PAGE.***