Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 106 Part 5.djvu/667

 PUBLIC LAW 102-567—OCT. 29, 1992 106 STAT. 4305 Reports. the new technologies being implemented in the modernization; and (6) training and education programs to ensure that employ- ees gain the necessary expertise to utilize the new technologies and to minimize employee displacement as a consequence of modernization. (b) TRANSMITTAL TO COMMITTEE. -— The Secretary shall transmit a copy of each annu£d Plan to the Committee. (c) CONSULTATION.— In developing the Plan, the Secretary shall consult, as appropriate, with the Committee and public entities responsible for providing or utilizing weather services. SEC. 704. MODERNIZATION CRITERIA. (a) NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL REVIEW.— The Secretary shall contract with the National Research Council for a review of the scientific and technical modernization criteria by which the Secretary proposes to certify action to close, consolidate, automate, or relocate a field office under section 706. In conducting such review, the National Research Council shall prepare and submit to the Secretary, no later than 9 months after the date of enactment of this Act, a report which— (1) assesses requirements and procedures for commissioning new weather observation systems, decommissioning an outdated National Weather Service radar, and evaluating staffing needs forfieldoffices in an affected service area; (2) assesses the statistical and analytical measures that shovdd be made for a service area to form an adequate basis for determining that there will be no degradation of service; and (3) includes such other recommendations as the National Research Council determines are appropriate to ensure public safety. (b) CRITERIA. —No later than 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the National Research Council and the Committee and after notice and opportunity for public comment, shall publish in the Federal Register modernization criteria (including all requirements and procedures), based on the report required uncfer this section, for— (1) commissioning new weather observation systems, decommissioning an outdated National Weather Service radar, and evaluating staffing needs for field offices in an affected service area; and (2) certifying action to close, consolidate, automate, or relocate afieldoince under section 706. SEC. 70S. CHANGES IN FIELD OFFICE OPERATIONS. (a) NOTIFICATION. —The Secretary shall not change operations at a field office pursuant to implementation of the Strategic Plan unless the Secretary has provided the notification reqmred by section 703. (b) WEATHER RADAR DECOKIMISSIONING. —The Secretary shall Reports. not remove or permanently decommission any National Weather Service radar until the Secretary has prepared radar commissioning and decommissioning reports documenting that such action would be consistent with the modernization criteria established under section 704(b)(l). The commissioning report shall document that the radar svstem performs reUably, satisfactory maintenance support is in place, sufficient staff with adequate U>aining are present Federal Register, publication.

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