National Weather Service (NWS) Modernization and Associated Restructuring; Final Certification of No Degradation of Service for the Combined Consolidation, Automation, and Closure of the Victoria, TX, Weather Service Office (WSO)

The WSO Victoria, Texas, consolidation certification was proposed in the April 11, 1997, FR, Vol 62, No. 70, page 17785. The 60-day public comment period closed on June 10, 1997. No public comments were received. At its June 25, 1997, meeting, the Modernization Transition Committee (MTC) endorsed the WSO Victoria consolidation certification as not resulting in a degradation of service. The automation and closure certifications for WSO Victoria, Texas, were proposed in the October 2, 1997, FR, Vol 62, No. 191, pages 51644-51655. The 60-day public comment period closed on December 1, 1997. Nineteen individual letters and over 2100 forms were received. See attached summary of public comments and NWS response. At its December 10, 1997, meeting, the MTC endorsed the WSO Victoria automation and closure certifications as not resulting in a degradation of service. While the MTC endorsed the certifications, it was concerned about the number of comments reporting time delays in receiving NWS products. The MTC stated, ``The MTC received a briefing from the Meteorologist-in-Charge (MIC) of the Corpus Christi NEXRAD Weather Service Office, which has service responsibility for the Victoria area. The MTC notes that the MIC has met with the Victoria community on several occasions and attempted to rectify the problem, but believes that further efforts are needed. The MTC requests an update on NWS efforts in 6 months time.'' On March 18, 1998, the MTC heard public comments from representatives of the Victoria, Texas, community and the NWS. The MTC rescinded its endorsement of the certifications for WSO Victoria and agreed to hold its June meeting in Victoria, Texas, to gather additional information. On June 18, 1998, the MTC met in Victoria, Texas, listened to public comments, and tabled further consideration of the consolidation, automation, and closure certifications pending responses to issues it identified concerning community outreach, the Automated Surface Observing System, and local infrastructure. On September 30, 1998, the MTC heard responses from the community and the NWS concerning the issues identified at the June 18, 1998, MTC meeting. The MTC also reviewed correspondence and received presentations from individuals representing Senators Phil Gramm and Kay Bailey Hutchison and Representatives Ron Paul and Pete Sessions. Based on all the information received, the MTC endorsed and

recommended approval of the consolidation, automation, and closure certifications for WSO Victoria, Texas. In January 1999, the Victoria Chamber of Commerce sent the Secretary of Commerce a position paper regarding NWS's performance during the October 1998 flood event in south Texas. The position paper stated NWS's poor performance in forecasting the flood could be attributed to not having a fully operational weather office in Victoria. In February 1999, NWS completed a service assessment report on the south Texas flood. The service assessment revealed the problems encountered were due to the record flooding and loss of upstream river gauges. Having a fully operational Victoria weather office would not have changed the outcome because flood forecasts for the Victoria area are generated by the River Forecast Center in Fort Worth, Texas. After consideration of public comments received, MTC endorsements, the Victoria Chamber of Commerce's position paper, and the NWS service assessment, the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere approved the WSO Victoria, Texas, consolidation, automation, and closure certifications and transmitted notice of the certifications and transmitted notice of the certifications to Congress on October 7, 1999. Certification approval authority was delegated from the Secretary of Commerce to the Under Secretary in June 1996. The NWS is not completing the certification requirements of Public Law 102-567 by publishing the final consolidation, automation, and closure certification notice in the FR.

Dated: October 12, 1999. John J. Kelly, Jr., Assistant Administrator for Weather Services.

Summary of Public Comments and NWS Response

Public Comments on WSO Victoria, Texas: Nineteen individual letters and over 2100 forms were received as public comments from the Victoria, Texas, area. Many of the public comments referred to delays in receiving warnings or missing information. Some of the comments included the following: ``Delays in warnings--During several periods of severe weather, warnings were not issued on the radio or television broadcasts until thirty minutes after the warnings were issued * * *. Current conditions, forecasts, and updates have been delayed by as much as four hours.'' ``Time is a big factor in weather, without local radar coverage and up to date information. Time is against us. A lot of people would be sitting ducks without protection.'' ``Just for one example, we remember a fast developing heavy storm with hail, last spring, that came across from Goliad Co. to DeWitt Co. Area and our local TV weather forecasting could not even inform us until it was upon us.'' ``Often we have received information that is inaccurate, late or even no information about weather events in our area from the Corpus Christi office.'' NWS Response: The Corpus Christi forecast office has and will continue to work closely with the Victoria media, emergency managers, and civic leaders to maintain and enhance lines of communication. Close working relationships have been established with key members of the media, such as TV25, radio station KVIC, and the Victoria Advocate. NWS staff have held several meetings with the Victoria Chamber of Commerce President to increase the awareness of the technological capabilities of the Corpus Christi office, communications links, and products and services. The Corpus Christi office initiated and led the first-ever severe weather conference with Victoria County officials, the Chamber of Commerce, local media, and volunteer storm spotters. The Corpus Christi office led an effort to establish an Emergency Alert System (EAS) Plan among all media outlets in the Victoria District, which includes the counties of Calhoun, De Witt, Goliad, Jackson, Lavaca, and Victoria. The EAS is important to alert the citizens of the Victoria Crossroads area to stay out of harm's way. Public outreach has expanded through the development of the Emergency Managers Weather Information Network and by establishing a system to relay warnings from NOAA Weather Radio to the media. During anticipated significant weather events, the NWS special liaison officer for Victoria is detailed to the main Victoria fire station or the designated Victoria Emergency Operations Center. The special liaison officer coordinates severe weather/flood information between Victoria and the Corpus Christi office. When severe warnings are issued for the Victoria area, the Corpus Christi office calls the Victoria 911 dispatcher immediately, who in turn, relays the warnings to the local police, sheriff, and fire department. The Corpus Christi office also calls the Victoria Department of Public Safety when warnings are issued and faxes warning information to the Calhoun County Emergency Management Center. Whenever thunderstorm activity approaches Victoria County, an extra meteorologist is called into the Corpus Christi office. This meteorologist coordinates warning information for the Victoria area and ensures the Victoria County Emergency Operations Center, fire department, and TV25 Chief Meteorologist are notified of severe weather warnings. The NWS is committed to providing accurate and timely products and services to the Victoria community for the protection of life and property.

[FR Doc 99-26990 Filed 10-14-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-KE-M