[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]
BILLING CODE 3510-12-M