[Federal Register: March 26, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 58)] [Notices] [Page 14703-14704] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr26mr99-65] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [Docket No. 990217051-9051-01] National Weather Service Modernization and Associated Restructuring AGENCY: National Weather Service (NWS), NOAA, Commerce. ACTION: Notice and opportunity for public comment. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In accordance with the requirements of Public Law 102-567, the NWS is publishing proposed certifications for the consolidation, automation, and closure of the following: (1) Fort Smith, Arkansas, Weather Service Office (WSO) which will be automated at FAA Weather Observation Service Level C and have its services consolidated into the future Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Little Rock, Arkansas, Weather Forecast Offices (WFOs); and (2) Kahului, Hawaii, WSO which will be automated at Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Weather Observation Service Level C and have its services consolidated into the future Honolulu, Hawaii, WFO. Certifications are also proposed for the automation and closure of the following WSOs at the indicated FAA Weather Observation Service Level: (1) Beckley, West Virginia, WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather Observation Service Level D and with services being provided by the future Charleston, West Virginia, and Roanoke, Virginia, WFOs; (2) Boston, Massachusetts, Residual Weather Service Office (RWSO) which will be automated at FAA Weather Observation Service Level A with services being provided by the future Boston, Massachusetts, WFO; (3) Concord, New Hampshire, WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather Observation Service Level D with services being provided by the future Portland, Maine, and Boston, Massachusetts, WFOs; (4) Hartford, Connecticut, WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather Observation Service Level A with services being provided by the future Boston, Massachusetts; New York City; and Albany, New York, WFOs; (5) Portland, Maine, RWSO which will be automated at FAA Weather Observation Service Level C with services being provided by the future Portland, Maine, WFO; (6) Providence, Rhode Island, WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather Observation Service Level A with services being provided by the future Boston, Massachusetts, WFO; and (7) Worcester, Massachusetts, WSO which will be automated at FAA Weather Observation Service Level C with services being provided by the future Boston, Massachusetts, WFO. Additionally, certifications are proposed for the closure of the following offices: (1) Olympia, Washington, Fire Weather Office with services being provided by the future Seattle/Tacoma, Washington, WFO; (2) Salem, Oregon, Fire Weather Office with services being provided by the future Portland, Oregon, WFO; and (3) Wenatchee, Washington, Fire Weather Office with services being provided by the future Spokane, Washington, WFO. In accordance with Public Law 102-567, the public will have 60 days in which to comment on these proposed certifications. DATES: Comments are requested by May 26, 1999. ADDRESSES: Requests for copies of proposed certification packages should be sent to Tom Beaver, Room 11426, 1325 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910-3283, 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 extension 141. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to section 706 of Public Law 102- 567, the Secretary of Commerce must certify that consolidation, automation, and/or closure of an NWS field office will not result in a degradation of service to the affected area of responsibility and must publish the proposed certifications in the Federal Register. Documentation supporting these proposed certifications includes the following: (1) For all certifications: a draft memorandum by the meteorologist in charge recommending the certification, 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) For all certifications: a description of local weather characteristics and weather-related concerns which affect the weather services provided within the service area; (3) For all certifications: a comparison of services provided within the service area to services to be provided after such action; (4) For all certifications: a description of any recent or expected modernization of NWS operations which will enhance services in the service area; (5) For all certifications: 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) For consolidation certifications: evidence, based upon operational demonstration of modernized NWS operations, which was considered in reaching the 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 Decomissioning Readiness Report; (7) For automation certifications: 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 Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) commissioning report; series of three letters between NWS and FAA confirming weather services will continue in full compliance with applicable flight aviation rules after ASOS commissioning; Surface Aviation Observation Transition Checklist documenting transfer of augmentation and back-up responsibility from NWS to FAA; successful resolution of ASOS user confirmation of services complaints; and an inplace supplementary data program at the responsible WFO; (8) For closure certifications, where appropriate: warning and forecast [[Page 14704]] verification statistics for pre-modernized and modernized services utilized in determining services have not been degraded; (9) For closure certifications: an Air Safety Appraisal for offices which are located on an airport; and (10) For all certifications: 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 Public Law 102-567. In December 1995, the Committee decided to forego the optional consultation on proposed certifications. Instead, the Committee would only review certifications after the public comment period closed so its consultation would include the benefit of public comments which has been submitted. This notice does not include the complete certification package because it is too voluminous to publish. Copies of 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 certification. If a decision to certify is made, the Secretary of Commerce must publish final certifications in the Federal Register and transmit the certifications to the appropriate congressional committees prior to consolidating, automating, and closing the office. Dated: March 19, 1999. John J. Kelly, Jr., Assistant Administrator for Weather Services. [FR Doc. 99-7437 Filed 3-25-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-KE-M