[Federal Register: September 29, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 188)] [Notices] [Page 52491-52492] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr29se99-36] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [Docket No. 990921259-9259-01] Subject: National Weather Service (NWS) Modernization and Associated Restructuring AGENCY: 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 the: (1) Erie, Pennsylvania, Weather Service Office (WSO) which will be automated at Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Weather Observation Service Level C and have its services consolidated into the Cleveland, Ohio, and the Pittsburgh and Central Pennsylvania Forecast Offices; and (2) Fairbanks, Alaska, WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather Observation Service Level A and have its services consolidated into the Fairbanks forecast office. DATES: comments are requested to be mailed by November 29, 1999. ADDRESSES: Send all comments and requests for copies of proposed certification packages to Tom Beaver, Room 11426, 1325 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910-3283. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Beaver at 301-713-0300 extension 136. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to section 706 of Pub. L. 102-567, the Secretary of Commerce must certify that consolidation, automation, and closure of an 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. Having studied and evaluated the winter weather forecast capabilities and requirements to ensure no degradation of service to the Erie, Pennsylvania, service area, the NWS determined removal of the WSR-74C radar would cause a degradation of service for some lake-effect snow events. Accordingly, NWS will continue operating the WSR-74C radar at Erie during the winter season until a new FAA radar is installed at the Erie airport in 2001 and suitability of weather data from the FAA radar is validated by the NWS in consultation with users. The described actions to be undertaken by the NWS will prevent any degradation from occurring and, thus, notice is given of the proposed consolidation, automation, and closure of the Erie, Pennsylvania, WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather Observation Service Level C and have its services consolidated into the Cleveland, Ohio, and the Pittsburgh and Central Pennsylvania Forecast Offices. The Fairbanks forecast office is now collocated with the University of Alaska at Fairbanks. Having transitioned all services to the Fairbanks forecast office and having verified no degradation of service, notice is given of the proposed consolidation, automation, and closure of the Fairbanks, Alaska, WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather Observation Service Level A and have the remainder of its services consolidated into the Fairbanks forecast office. Documentation supporting each of these proposed certifications includes the following: (1) A draft memorandum by the meteorologist in charge recommending the certifications, 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 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); (6) Evidence, based upon operational demonstration of modernized NWS operations, which was considered in reaching the preliminary 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, where appropriate; (7) Evidence, based upon operational demonstration of modernized NWS operations, which was considered in reaching the preliminary conclusion that no degradation in service will result from such action, including the Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) commissioning report; (8) Three letters between NWS and FAA confirming weather services will continue in full compliance with applicable flight aviation rules after ASOS commissioning; (9) Surface Aviation Observation Transition Checklist documenting transfer of augmentation and back-up responsibility from NWS to FAA; (10) Demonstration of the successful resolution of any ASOS user confirmation of services complaints; (11) Documentation of an in-place supplementary data program at the responsible forecast office; (12) Where appropriate, warning and forecast verification statistics for pre-modernized and modernized services utilized in determining services have not been degraded; (13) An Air Safety Appraisal for offices on an airport; and (14) A letter appointing a liaison officer for the action. Section 706 of Pub. L. 102-567 establishes the Modernization Transition Committee to advise the Secretary of Commerce on proposed modernization actions. The Committee has the option to submit a report to the Secretary in accordance with sections 706(b)(6) and 707(c) of Pub. L. 102-567. For the proposed certifications covered by this notice, there is no report of the Committee. In December 1995, the Committee decided to forego the [[Page 52492]] 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 certification packages can be obtained from the contact listed above. Once 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 final decision to certify an office is made, the Secretary of Commerce must publish final certifications in the FR and transmit them to the appropriate congressional committees prior to consolidating, automating, and closing the office. Dated: September 23, 1999. Irwin T. David, Chief Financial Officer/Chief Administrative Officer National Weather Service. [FR Doc. 99-25287 Filed 9-28-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-KE-M