PUBLIC LAW 102-567—OCT. 29, 1992

106 STAT. 4305

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 minimise employee displacement as a consequence of
modernization.

(b) TRANSMITTAL TO COMMITTEE.—The Secretary shall transmit
a copy of each annual 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 Sec-
retary proposes to certify action to close, consolidate, automate,

or relocate a field office under section 706. In conducting such Reports,
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 commission-
ing new weather observation systems, decommissioning an out-
dated National Weather Service radar, and evaluating staffing
needs for field offices in an affected service area;

(2) assesses the statistical and analytical measures that
should 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 enact-
ment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the National
Research Council and the Committee and after notice and oppor-
tunity for public comment, shall publish in the Federal Register
modernization criteria (including all requirements and procedures),
based on the report required under 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decommissioning an outdated National Weather Service radar,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 a field office under section 706.

SEC. 705. 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 required by sec-
tion 703.

(b) WEATHER RADAR DECOMMISSIONING.—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 woula
be consistent with the modernization criteria established under
section 704(bXl). The commissioning report shall document that
the radar system performs reliably, satisfactory maintenance sup-
port is in place, sufficient staff with adequate training are present

Federal

Register,

publication.