I
103D CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. R. 4998
To provide for an independent review of the implementation of the National
Implementation Plan for modernization of the National Weather Service
at specific sites, and for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
AUGUST 19, 1994
Mr. CRAMER (for himself, Mr. MCCLOSKEY, Mr. ROEMER, Mr. BEVILL, Mrs.
LLOYD, Ms. LONG, Mr. BARLOW, Ms. KAPTUR, and Mr. POSHARD) intro-
duced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science,
Space, and Technology
A BILL
To provide for an independent review of the implementation
of the National Implementation Plan for modernization
of the National Weather Service at specific sites, and
for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Weather Service Mod-
ernization Performance Review Act of 1994’’.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds that—
(1) the safety and welfare of the public depends
on the provision of accurate and timely weather in-
formation;
(2) in general, the National Implementation
Plan for modernization of the National Weather
Service required under the Weather Service Mod-
ernization Act provides a cost effective approach to
initiation of weather service modernization;
(3) some geographic areas, including northern
Alabama, north central, northeastern, and south-
western Indiana, southeastern Tennessee, southeast-
ern Illinois, northern California, southwestern and
northeastern Texas, central Oregon, central Idaho,
central Nevada, northwestern Ohio, northern Louisi-
ana, northeastern Iowa, north-central Florida, and
northeastern Arizona, may not realize the full bene-
fits of weather service implementation under the
plan; and
(4) there is a need to ensure, by means of an
independent, technical review, that the implementa-
tion of the weather service modernization plan at
specific sites fully meets the intent of law and does
not result in a degradation of existing service, in-
cluding no reduction in existing weather radar cov-
erage at an elevation of 10,000 feet.
SEC. 3. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SECRETARY.
(a) The Secretary of Commerce (in this Act referred
to as the ‘‘Secretary’’) shall provide for the public safety
by ensuring that the implementation of the National Im-
plementation Plan for the modernization of the National
Weather Service required under the Weather Service Mod-
ernization Act (in this Act referred to as the ‘‘National
Implementation Plan’’) does not result in a degradation
of service in any specific geographic area, which shall in-
clude maintaining radar coverage with no degradation of
service for areas served by the National Weather Service
system, and also shall provide for radar coverage in some
areas which might not otherwise be adequate with respect
to specific unique weather phenomena which pose a sub-
stantial threat to public safety.
(b) Within 60 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, and biennially thereafter until 2 years have
passed after the implementation of the National Imple-
mentation Plan is completed, the Secretary shall publish
a notice in the Federal Register soliciting public comment
for a period of 60 days on specific geographic areas where
there is uncertainty whether such implementation will re-
sult in or has resulted in any degradation in service.
(c) Within 180 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, and within 60 days after the end of each biennial
comment period under subsection (b), the Secretary shall
enter into an agreement for an independent review, to be
completed within 180 days, by the National Research
Council of the National Academy of Sciences. Such review
shall, for each geographical area identified through a pub-
lic comment period under subsection (b)—
(1) evaluate any unique or extraordinary weath-
er conditions in the area;
(2) consider the proposed NEXRAD radar cov-
erage for the area, particularly to determine if the
area is or will be in an area of weak radar coverage;
(3) consider the effects of closing any local
Weather Service office on local weather service and
interaction with local emergency management agen-
cies; and
(4) consider the effects of transferring local
warning responsibility to a remote Weather Forecast
Office, including the effect on issuing weather
warnings by that remote office and communicating
with emergency management personnel with regard
to weather emergencies.
(d) The National Research Council shall submit rec-
ommendations, including any dissenting views, to the Sec-
retary regarding the need to supplement the National Im-
plementation Plan, revise any specific siting plans, estab-
lish radar coverage at altitudes less than 10,000 feet, or
improve radar coverage service.
(e) Within 60 days after receiving recommendations
from the National Research Council under subsection (d),
the Secretary shall transmit to the Congress a report con-
taining—
(1) the recommendations of the National Re-
search Council; and
(2) the actions the Secretary proposes to take
in response to those recommendations.
(f) For any area identified through a public comment
period under subsection (b), the Secretary shall take no
action which may result in a reduction of public safety,
including the closure of weather service offices, transfer
of responsibilities or duties of those offices, decommission-
ing of any warning radar, or transfer or reduction in per-
sonnel in those offices, until such time as the independent
review under subsection (c) is completed and a report with
respect to such review is transmitted to the Congress
under subsection (e).
(g) In carrying out this Act, the Secretary shall con-
sult with the Secretary of Defense and with the Secretary
of Transportation with respect to coverage of those De-
partment of Defense radars and Department of Transpor-
tation radars, respectively, which supplement the civil sys-
tem.
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