[Federal Register: November 4, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 213)]
[Notices]               
[Page 60173]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr04no99-41]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[Docket No. 990921259-9259-01]

 
National Weather Service (NWS) Modernization and Associated 
Restructuring

AGENCY: NWS, NOAA, Commerce.

ACTION: Deferral of public comment period and clarification regarding 
NWS proposed actions for the Erie, Pennsylvania, Weather Service Office 
(WSO).

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SUMMARY: The NWS published in 64 FR 52491, Sept. 29, 1999, a notice and 
opportunity for public comment on proposed certifications for the 
consolidation, automation, and closure of WSO Erie, Pennsylvania, and 
WSO Fairbanks, Alaska. This notice defers the public comment period on 
proposed certifications of WSO Erie and provides updated and clarifying 
information regarding NWS proposed actions for WSO Erie.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Beaver at 301-713-0300 extension 
136.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The NWS published in 64 FR 52491, Sept. 29, 
1999, a notice and opportunity for public comment on the proposed 
certifications for the consolidation, automation, and closure of WSO 
Erie, Pennsylvania, and WSO Fairbanks, Alaska. With respect to WSO Erie 
certifications, the notice informed the public that the NWS determined 
removal of the WSR-74C radar would cause a degradation of service for 
some lake-effect snow events in the Erie, Pennsylvania, service area. 
It further informed the public that to address this degradation, the 
NWS would continue operating the WSR-74C radar at Erie during the 
winter season until a new Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) radar 
is installed at the Erie airport and suitability of weather data from 
the FAA radar is validated by the NWS in consultation with users.
    Since the publication of the September 29, 1999, FR notice, certain 
information in the notice has changed. In addition, the NWS believes 
its planned course of action for WSO Erie requires clarification. 
First, the NWS has been advised that installation of the new FAA radar 
at Erie will begin in May 2002, not 2001 as indicated in the September 
29, 1999, FR notice. Second, regarding the NWS planned course of 
action, the NWS stresses it will not seek the Modernization Transition 
Committee's endorsement of the Erie consolidation, automation, and 
closure certifications nor will it seek the Secretary's final approval 
of these certifications until actions to address the identified 
degradation have been fully and successfully implemented and user 
groups have been appropriately consulted. Therefore, NWS believes 
seeking comments from the public at this time is premature since the 
NWS plan for use of data from the new FAA radar is several years from 
completion. Accordingly, NWS is deferring the public comment period on 
its proposed certifications for WSO Erie until actions to address the 
identified degradation have been fully and successfully implemented and 
user groups have been appropriately consulted. The NWS will provide 
advance notice in the FR of the public comment period at that time.

    Dated: October 29, 1999.
John J. Kelly, Jr.,
Assistant Administrator for Weather Services.
[FR Doc. 99-28854 Filed 11-3-99; 8:45 am]
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