96-19412. Weather Service Modernization Criteria  

  • [Federal Register Volume 61, Number 148 (Wednesday, July 31, 1996)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 39862-39867]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 96-19412]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
    
    National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
    
    15 CFR Part 946
    
    [Docket No. 960418114-6201-03]
    RIN: 0648-AF72
    
    
    Weather Service Modernization Criteria
    
    AGENCY: National Weather Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
    Administration, Department of Commerce.
    
    ACTION: Final rule.
    
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    SUMMARY: In accordance with the Weather Service Modernization Act, 15 
    U.S.C. 313n. (the Act), the National Weather Service (NWS) is 
    publishing an amendment to its criteria for modernization actions 
    requiring certification. This amendment adds criteria unique to 
    automating a field office to ensure that automation actions will not 
    result in any degradation of service. Automating a field office occurs 
    after automated surface observing system (ASOS) equipment is installed 
    and commissioned at a field office and the News employees that were 
    performing surface observations at that office are removed or 
    reassigned.
    
    EFFECTIVE DATE: July 31, 1996.
    
    ADDRESSES: Requests for copies of documents stated in the preamble as 
    being available upon request should be sent to Julie Scanlon, NOAA/NWS, 
    SSMC2, Room 9332, 1325 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, Maryland 
    20910.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
    Nicholas Scheller, 301-713-0454.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 2, 1996, the NWS published, for 
    comment, proposed modernization criteria unique to automating a field 
    office (see 61 FR 19594). In significant part, the proposed criteria 
    embodied the four levels of service contained in the Federal Aviation 
    Administration's (FAA) Weather Observation Service Standards for level 
    A, B, C and D airports (see 61 FR 32887). After consideration of the 
    public comments that were received and, after consultation with the 
    National Research Council's (NRC) NWS Modernization Committee and the 
    Modernization Transition Committee (MTC), the NWS is now establishing 
    the final modernization criteria for automating a field office only at 
    service level A, B and C airports. Establishment of final modernization 
    criteria for automating a field office at service level D airports is 
    being deferred pending further consultation with the MTC.
        Consultation with the NRC's NWS Modernization Committee was 
    completed on June 10, 1996. During consultation with the MTC on June 
    27, 1996, the MTC offered the following:
    
        The Modernization Transition Committee (MTC) has reviewed the 
    comments received in response to the notice in the Federal Register, 
    considered information provided through presentations and reports, 
    and thoroughly discussed the issue of level of service provided by 
    the modernized weather service as compared to on-site observers, 
    with the following conclusion:
        The MTC approves the proposed automation criteria for airport 
    service level A, B and C airports believing that there will be no 
    degradation of service associated with these certifications. 
    However, the Committee has drawn no conclusion about degradation of 
    service at D service level airports that previously had an NWS 
    observer. The Committee will address the remaining portion of D 
    service level airports at their next scheduled meeting.
    Peter R. Leavitt
    Chair, Modernization Transition Committee.
    
        A total of 44 public comments were received with postmarks by the 
    closing date for comments. Six additional comments were received with 
    postmarks after the closing date. The issues raised in these late 
    comments however, were similar to others raised in the timely comments. 
    All comments received were considered and are included in the numerical 
    totals below. The issues and concerns raised in the comments and the 
    Government's response follows. Most comments have to do with leaving 
    ASOS unattended, either generally or at specific airports. The number 
    of issues/concerns exceeds the total number of comments, since multiple 
    issues/concerns were raised in some comments. A list of persons 
    submitting comments is also included.
        A. Comments related to leaving ASOS unattended:
        1. Comment: 33 comments stated that service level D was inadequate 
    for their particular airport.
        Response: Establishment of final criteria for service level D 
    airports has been deferred. The NWS will not take any action to 
    automate field offices at service level D airports, pending further 
    consultation with the MTC. Accordingly, the 27 airports proposed for 
    service level D have been deleted from Appendix B.
        2. Comment: 10 comments expressed the following concerns about 
    ASOS: (a) ASOS can not be left in the unattended mode; (b) a human 
    presence is required at all ASOS sites; and (c) ASOS observation is 
    sometimes unrepresentative of actual conditions.
        Response: Development and testing of automated weather observing
    
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    equipment has been in progress for nearly 20 years. Numerous studies 
    and evaluations were conducted on automated observation systems 
    beginning in the 1970s which included systems and technology similar to 
    that of ASOS. Assessments of representativeness were made by comparing 
    automated reports, specifically, ceiling and visibility to the human 
    observer. As a result of the more than two decades of development and 
    testing, ASOS has evolved into a highly accurate, consistent, and 
    reliable complement to meteorological observations.
        The most recent testing effort was the ASOS Aviation Demonstration 
    that was carried out jointly by the NWS, the FAA, and the aviation 
    industry, from February 15, 1995 through August 15, 1995. During this 
    Demonstration, NWS observers were asked to record those cases when ASOS 
    observations did not represent the true meteorological situation. Based 
    on reports supplied by NWS observers, ASOS was found to report the 
    correct individual weather parameters at least 98% of the time under 
    all conditions combined.
        From the beginning, ASOS was never intended to be the sole source 
    of surface weather data. ASOS data will be supplemented by products 
    derived from other remote automated systems including satellite, radar, 
    and lightning networks. Efforts to develop and refine these new sensors 
    and additional data products are underway. However, ASOS observations 
    will continue to be ``augmented'' by human observers, at those sites 
    required by the aviation community, until these additional sensors and 
    data products are available, and their use is fully understood.
        The strength of ASOS is not that it is ``better'' than the 
    observer, but that the sensor suite can be put in the area most 
    sensitive to the weather that the pilot needs, that multiple sensors 
    can be used at those sites where required, and that ASOS observations 
    are consistent from station to station, day to night, and continuous 24 
    hours a day.
        3. Comment: One comment stated that the FAA, NWS, aviation 
    community agreement on service level D included a requirement for both 
    freezing rain and lightning detection sensors.
        Response: The deployment of freezing rain sensors as part of the 
    ASOS is underway. Funding has been allocated for acquisition of over 
    400 sensors. The freezing rain software and hardware upgrade deployment 
    will be deployed at NWS sites by winter 1996/1997.
        Automated thunderstorm detection capability is presently being 
    acquired as part of the Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) Data 
    Acquisition System and will provide an automated thunderstorm report in 
    the METAR format from the ASOS at all level A, B, C and D sites. 
    Deployment of this automated thunderstorm reporting capability will 
    begin in June 1997. Until that time, thunderstorms will be detected and 
    reported manually at all sites with implemented level A, B and C 
    Weather Observation Service Standards.
        Pending automation of freezing rain and thunderstorm detection and 
    reporting, neither of these parameters will be manually augmented at 
    level D sites. This policy was clearly established during the extensive 
    discussions on Weather Observation Service Standards with the aviation 
    industry during the last 18 months.
        4. Comment: Three comments regarding Astoria, Oregon, proposed as a 
    D level airport, requested that local public hearings be held before 
    ASOS implementation.
        Response: The ASOS has already been ``implemented'' at Astoria, 
    Oregon to the extent that it was commissioned on March 1, 1993. The 
    second stage of implementation will be to ``automate'' this office and 
    the Weather Service Modernization Act already provides for extensive 
    public input at this stage in several ways. Criteria by which these 
    actions will be certified are made available for public comment through 
    publication in the Federal Register. Two independent committees are 
    consulted during the establishment of final criteria: The National 
    Research Council's NWS Modernization Committee which is composed of 
    scientific and technical experts, and the Modernization Transition 
    Committee (MTC) which represents users of weather services. During 
    these consultations, both Committees are apprised of all public 
    comments received. There are two other opportunities for public input 
    during the certification process. Each proposed certification is 
    published in the Federal Register for a 60-day public comment period. 
    The MTC is apprised of all public comments received and has the 
    opportunity to recommend a course of action to the Secretary of 
    Commerce with regard to the final certification of ``no degradation of 
    service''. Finally, the MTC is a Federal advisory committee and as 
    such, all MTC meetings are open to the public. As part of the 
    consultation with the MTC on certifications and preceding deliberations 
    by the MTC, there is a public comment period during which the public 
    may address the MTC.
        B. Other comments:
        1. Comment: Six comments were concerned that there might be a delay 
    in implementing service levels A and B due to lack of funds and that 
    the delay would result in a degradation of service. One comment 
    requested that a ban on further ASOS commissionings be instituted until 
    funds are available to implement service levels A and B.
        Response: The FAA will fund full implementation of the Weather 
    Observation Service Standards, including all level A and B airports. 
    Accordingly, NWS has eliminated any funding contingency from criterion 
    4a.
        2. Comment: Two comments indicated that the list of airports 
    published in the May 2 Federal Register notice was incomplete and/or 
    confusing.
        Response: The airports in the May 2, 1996 Federal Register notice 
    list were the 143 ``field offices'' which require a certification prior 
    to automation under the Weather Service Modernization Act. The Act 
    defines a field office as a Weather Service Office (WSO) or a Weather 
    Service Forecast Office (WSFO). Beyond these 143 locations, there are 
    additional airports where NWS has surface observing responsibility that 
    either: (1) Are not field offices--Weather Service Meteorological 
    Observatories (WSMOs) and Weather Service Contract Meteorological 
    Observatories (WSCMOs); or (2) are field offices, but NWS will continue 
    to perform surface observing functions. There are also a number of 
    airports where the FAA has surface observing responsibility. On June 
    25, 1996, the FAA published in the Federal Register its Weather 
    Observation Service Standards and a more comprehensive list of all 
    airports where either NWS or FAA has had surface observing 
    responsibility (see 61 FR 32887). Not included in this June 25 notice 
    are the so called ``expansion sites'', which are sites that have not 
    had a Federally sponsored surface observation.
        3. Comment: One comment stated that automation, as proposed, will 
    have an adverse impact on snowfall records.
        Response: Snowfall data will continue to be recorded at 46 Weather 
    Forecast Offices (WFO) co-located with ASOS as well as new snowfall 
    climatologies will commence at 73 WFOs during the 1996-1997 winter 
    season. In addition, snow-depth observations will continue at 22 Tower 
    Level 5 airports next winter season. In addition, along the Washington 
    and Oregon coastline, there are over 30 NWS cooperative observer (COOP) 
    climate stations that will continue to report daily snowfall, snow 
    depth, and accurate precipitation amounts for climatologists. The 
    primary
    
    [[Page 39864]]
    
    purpose of this volunteer network is the taking of long-term climate 
    records. The NWS is now in the process of implementing a system that 
    will allow these observations to be disseminated to external users 
    once-a-day in near real-time.
        Washington and Oregon contain about one dozen first-order airport 
    stations that historically reported snowfall information that will no 
    longer be available. However, data from COOP climate stations in both 
    states are actually considered to be the data of choice by most 
    climate-change researchers. The COOPs are located off airports at 
    locations where people live. COOPs with decades of records are found in 
    the temperate rain forests, Olympic mountains, and other ecologically 
    sensitive areas.
        The volunteer COOP network will continue to provide high-quality 
    climate data for NWS and external users. The NWS is even considering 
    opening new COOP stations in areas where observations are scarce with 
    snowfall information unavailable and whereby no current COOP is located 
    in the surrounding vicinity.
        In addition, the Supplementary Data Program (see 60 FR 64020), 
    became operational on October 1, 1995 at 119 WFOs, where staffing and 
    equipment permits. This includes the providing of event driven 
    supplementary data observations (i.e., ice pellets, snow increase 
    rapidly, size of hailstones) and routinely scheduled supplementary 
    climatological data (i.e., depth of new snow, duration of sunshine, 
    water equivalent of snow on ground).
        4. Comment: One comment expressed concerns with ASOS's inability to 
    detect clouds above 12,000 feet, use of ``fair'' for sky conditions 
    when ASOS reports ``CLR below 12,000 ft.'', and ASOS not reporting 
    freezing rain.
        Response: A few years ago, NOAA started generating a Satellite 
    Cloud Product (SCP) to complement ASOS above 12,000 ft. SCPs, generated 
    for a 50x50-km grid centered around ASOS sites, are available in 
    regional collectives through the Family of Services with the following 
    bulletin headings:
    
    GOES-8
    
    TCUS40 KWBC--Eastern US
    TCUS41 KWBC--Central US
    TCUS42 KWBC--Southern US
    
    GOES-9
    
    TCUS51 KWBC--Central US
    TCUS52 KWBC--Southern US
    TCUS53 KWBC--Western US
    
        Among other things, the SCPs indicate the cloud category (CLR, SCT, 
    BKN, OVC) and the height of the cloud in 100's of feet.
        NWS is sensitized to the ``FAIR'' issue and is working toward a 
    more representative depiction of sky conditions on the Hourly (State) 
    Weather Roundup (SWR). NWS sites which ``run'' the SWR can merge the 
    SCP data with the ASOS data, thereby producing a better combined sky 
    condition. Many NWS sites are already doing this and more will be doing 
    so in the future once SCPs are generated for all ASOS sites.
        The issue of the ``FAIR'' on The Weather Channel (TWC) is a little 
    different. TWC gets its observational data from Weather Services 
    International (WSI) Corporation. WSI does not presently process NWS 
    SWRs. ``FAIR'' is a WSI term.
        NWS has had discussions with both TWC and WSI about this issue. 
    Both are working on schemes to assimilate the SCP data, thereby making 
    a more representative sky condition. In lieu of utilizing the WSI 
    observational data stream, TWC is independently investigating the 
    feasibility of ``ingesting'' and displaying the NWS SWRs on their 
    ``Weather on the 8's'' segment.
        The concern about reporting of freezing rain is addressed in the 
    response to comment A3.
        5. Comment: One comment stated that ASOS should be replaced by 
    METAR.
        Response: The writer of this comment has misunderstood the 
    difference between METAR and ASOS.
        The Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) does not replace ASOS. 
    ASOS is an automated and integrated group of sensors to collect surface 
    weather parameters.
        METAR on the other hand is the reporting format in which the 
    weather elements are provided from the ASOS. Historically, there have 
    been two weather reporting formats. North American countries (United 
    States, Canada and Mexico) used a format referred to as a Surface 
    Aviation Observation (SAOP, and the rest of the world, with minor 
    differences, used a format called Aviation Routine Weather Report 
    (METAR) to report weather. For years discussions took place on 
    standardizing the reporting format. Agreement was reached in 1989 and 
    the resultant code, still referred to as METAR, represents a blend of 
    the existing SAO and METAR reports. Because countries were permitted to 
    file exceptions to the code format, not all METAR reports are 
    identical, and thus there will be slight differences among the codes. 
    Canada and Mexico have already implemented the METAR code format, and 
    the United States, in accordance with international agreements, 
    implemented the METAR code format on July 1, 1996.
        6. Comment: One comment stated that the ASOS at Wheeling-Ohio 
    County Airport remains uncommissioned.
        Response: The ASOS at Wheeling--Ohio County airport is an FAA-
    sponsored ASOS and requires FAA long-line communications for 
    commissioning. Currently, plans are to install the communications lines 
    in the fall 1996 followed by commissioning in January/February 1997.
        7. Comment: One comment stated that there is no radio transmission 
    from the ASOS at Marathon Airport (MTH), Florida.
        Reponse: A ground-to-air radio was installed at Marathon in March 
    1994. Shortly after installation, radio frequency interference was 
    reported. That interference problem was corrected on May 14, 1996 and 
    the radio is now broadcasting.
        8. Comment: Three comments raised concerns about specific public 
    forecast product, the quality of the forecasts, timeliness of NOAA 
    Weather Radio updates, elimination of the agricultural forecast program 
    and closure of the Astoria, Oregon Weather Service Office (WSO).
        Response: These issues are not related to ASOS and/or automation 
    and are more appropriately addressed during the certification process 
    for actions involving the particular WSOs.
    
    List of Persons Submitting Comments
    
    Dean Jacobs, Executive Director, Valentine Chamber of Commerce, 
    Valentine, Nebraska
    Dean Jacobs, Executive Director, Visitor Promotion Committee, Cherry 
    County, Valentine, Nebraska
    concerned citizen, Freeland, Michigan
    Jay Trobec, KELO-TV, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
    Mike Boggs, Airport Manager, Eugene Airport, Eugene, Oregon
    Kelly Kilmer, Quality Control Focal Point, Valentine ASOS Station, 
    Valentine, Nebraska
    Troy Kimmel, Chief Meteorologist, KTBC-TV, Austin, Texas
    Robert Kilmer, Airport Manager, Valentine, Nebraska (2 comments)
    Evelyn Kilmer, Valentine, Nebraska (2 comments)
    Gerald Ellison, Valentine Nebraska
    Allan L. Jameson, Commercial Pilot, Valentine, Nebraska
    Robert A. Peterson, Administrator, Valentine, Nebraska
    Tim Bader, Valentine, Nebraska
    Paul Joseph, Chief Meteorologist, WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
    Thomas S. Tominack, Airport Manager, Wheeling-Ohio County Airport, 
    Wheeling West Virginia
    
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    A. Earl Cheal, Vice President and General Manager, The Flight 
    Department, Marathon Airport, Marathon, Florida
    Timothy M. Kellett, Paso Robles, California (2 comments)
    Leo D. Hollis, Director--Flight Control, America West Airlines, 
    Phoenix, Arizona
    Joe Bakkensen, Chair, Board of Commissioners, Clatsop County, 
    Astoria, Oregon
    Thomas G. Macklin, Paso Robles, California
    Sean Boyd, KSEE-TV, Fresno, California
    Ron Larsen, Director of Operations, Port of Astoria, Astoria, Oregon 
    (2 comments)
    Melvin Christenson, Cherry County Sheriff, Valentine, Nebraska
    John P. Raichl, Sheriff and Director of Emergency Services, Clatsop 
    County, Astoria, Oregon
    Richard Carlson, Sequim, Washington
    Steve Fick, President, Salmon for All, Astoria, Oregon
    William N. Sears, Director, Air Traffic Capacity & Meteorology, Air 
    Transport Association, Washington, DC
    Robert J. Massey, Chairman, Aviation Weather Committee, Air Line 
    Pilots Association, Herndon, Virginia
    Warren L. Qualley, Manager--Weather Services, American Airlines, DFW 
    Airport, Texas
    Tom Fahey, Manager, Northwest Airlines Meteorology, St. Paul, 
    Minnesota
    Paul Gross, WDIV-TV, Detroit, Michigan
    Barbara Balensifier, Mayor of Warrenton, Warrenton, Oregon
    Brad Barclay, Contract Weather Observer, Paso Robles Airport, 
    Atascadero, California
    Drs. Richard & Janet Laughlin, Astoria, Oregon
    Robert D. DeLong, City Manager, Astoria, Oregon
    Paul O'Connell, RN, Flight Supervisor, Good Samaritan Hospital, 
    Kearney, Nebraska
    Robert Stratton, Templeton, California
    Paul Levesque, Executive Assistant, Tillamook County Commissioners, 
    Tillamook, Oregon
    Monte M. Eliason, Airport Manager, Glacier Park International 
    Airport, Kalispell, Montana
    Pam Birmingham, Pete Anderson Realty, Inc., Seaside, Oregon
    Tim Josi, State Representative, District 2, Salem, Oregon
    Dennis Ernest, Program Director, KNEB AM/FM, Scottsbluff, Nebraska
    William R. McDonald, Chairman, Columbia County Board of 
    Commissioners, St. Helens, Oregon
    Oliver Vernor, Mayor, City of Seaside, Seaside, Oregon
    Pat Hamilton, Chairperson, Pacific County Commissioners, South Bend, 
    Washington
    William F. Shea, Commissioner, Port of Astoria, Astoria, Oregon
    
    A. Classification Under Executive Order 12866
    
        These regulations establish procedures and criteria for certifying 
    that certain actions to modernize NWS will not result in any 
    degradation of weather services to the affected service area. They will 
    not result in any direct or indirect economic impacts, and have been 
    determined not to be significant for purposes of E.O. 12866.
    
    B. Regulatory Flexibility Act Analysis
    
        These regulations set forth the criteria for certifying that 
    certain modernization actions will not result in a degradation of 
    service to the affected area. These criteria will be appended to the 
    Weather Service Modernization regulations. The Assistant General 
    Counsel for Legislation and Regulation of the Department of Commerce 
    has certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business 
    Administration when these criteria were proposed, that if adopted as 
    proposed, they will not have a significant economic impact on a 
    substantial number of small entities. These criteria are intended for 
    internal agency use, and the impact on small business entities will be 
    negligible. The proposed criteria do not directly affect ``small 
    government jurisdictions'' as defined by Pub. L. 96-354, the Regulatory 
    flexibility Act. Accordingly, no initial regulatory flexibility 
    analysis was prepared.
    
    C. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980
    
        These regulations will impose no information collection 
    requirements of the type covered by Pub. L. 96-511, the Paperwork 
    Reduction Act of 1980.
    
    D. Executive Order 12612
    
        This rule does not contain policies with sufficient Federalism 
    implications to warrant preparation of a Federalism assessment under 
    Executive Order 12612.
    
    E. National Environmental Policy Act
    
        NOAA has concluded that issuance of this rule does not constitute a 
    major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human 
    environment. Therefore, an environmental impact statement is not 
    required. A programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) regarding 
    NEXRAD was prepared in November 1984, and an Environmental Assessment 
    to update the portion of the EIS dealing with the bioeffects of NEXRAD 
    non-ionizing radiation was issued in 1993.
    
    List of Subjects in 15 CFR Part 946
    
        Administrative practice and procedure, Certification, 
    Commissioning. Decommissioning, national Weather Service, Weather 
    service modernization.
    
        Dated: July 26, 1996.
    Elbert W. Friday, Jr.,
    Assistant Administrator for Weather Services.
    
        For the reasons set out in the preamble, 15 CFR part 946 is amended 
    as follows:
    
        1. The authority citation for part 946 continues to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: Title VII of Pub. L. 102-567, 106 Stat 4303 (15 
    U.S.C. 313n.)
    
        2. Appendix A to part 946 is amended by adding a new Subsection (D) 
    under Section II. CRITERIA FOR MODERNIZATION ACTIONS REQUIRING 
    CERTIFICATION, to read as follows:
    
    (D) Modernization Criteria Unique to Automation Certifications
    
        1. Compliance with flight aviation rules (applies on airports 
    only): Consultation with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 
    has verified that the weather services provided after the 
    commissioning of the relevant ASOS unit(s) will be in full 
    compliance with applicable Federal Aviation Regulations promulgated 
    by the FAA.
        2. ASOS Commissioning: The relevant ASOS unit(s) have been 
    successfully commissioned in accordance with the criteria set forth 
    in section I.A.1 of Appendix A to the Weather Service Modernization 
    Regulations, 15 CFR part 946.
        3. User Confirmation of Services: Any valid user complaints 
    related to actual system performance received since commissioning of 
    the ASOS have been satisfactorily resolved and the issues addressed 
    in the MIC's recommendation for certification.
        4. Aviation Observation Requirement: At sites subject to 
    automation certification, all surface observations and reports 
    required for aviation services can be generated by an ASOS augmented 
    as necessary by non-NWS personnel.
        a. The ASOS observation will be augmented/backed-up to the level 
    specified in Appendix B as described in the Summary Chart of the 
    FAA's Weather Observation Service Standards.
        b. The transition checklist has been signed by the appropriate 
    Region Systems Operations Division Chief.
        5. General Surface Observation Requirement: The total 
    observations available are adequate to support the required 
    inventory of services to users in the affected area. All necessary 
    hydrometeorological data and information are available through ASOS 
    as augmented in accordance with this section, through those elements 
    reported as supplementary data by the relevant Weather Forecast 
    Office(s), or through other complementary sources. The adequacy of 
    the total surface observation is addressed in the MIC's 
    recommendation for certification.
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        Appendix B is added to Part 946 to read as follows:
    
    Appendix B to Part 946--Airport Tables
    
    ``A'' Level Service Airports
    
    *Akron, OH..........................................................CAK
    *Albany, NY.........................................................ALB
    *Atlanta, GA........................................................ATL
    *Baltimore, MD......................................................BWI
    *Boston, MA.........................................................BOS
    Charlotte, NC.......................................................CLT
    *Chicago-O'Hare (AV), IL............................................ORD
    Cincinnati, OH......................................................CVG
    Columbus, OH........................................................CMH
    *Dayton, OH.........................................................DAY
    *Des Moines, IA.....................................................DSM
    *Detroit, MI........................................................DTW
    *Fairbanks, AK......................................................FAI
    *Fresno, CA.........................................................FAT
    *Greensboro, NC.....................................................GSO
    *Hartford, CT.......................................................BDL
    *Indianapolis, IN...................................................IND
    *Kansas City, MO....................................................MCI
    *Lansing, MI........................................................LAN
    Las Vegas, NV.......................................................LAS
    Los Angeles (AV), CA................................................LAX
    *Louisville, KY.....................................................SDF
    *Milwaukee, WI......................................................MKE
    *Minneapolis, MN....................................................MSP
    *Newark, NJ.........................................................EWR
    *Oklahoma City, OK..................................................OKC
    Phoenix, AZ.........................................................PHX
    *Portland, OR.......................................................PDX
    *Providence, RI.....................................................PVD
    *Raleigh, NC........................................................RDU
    *Richmond, NC.......................................................RIC
    *Rochester, NY......................................................ROC
    *Rockford, IL.......................................................RFD
    *San Antonio, TX....................................................SAT
    San Diego, CA.......................................................SAN
    *San Francisco, CA..................................................SFO
    *Spokane, WA........................................................GEG
    *Syracuse, NY.......................................................SYR
    Tallahassee, FL.....................................................TLH
    Tulsa, OK...........................................................TUL
    
    ``B'' Level Service Airports
    
    *Baton Rouge, LA....................................................BTR
    *Billings, MT.......................................................BIL
    *Charleston, WV.....................................................CRW
    *Chattanooga, TN....................................................CHA
    Colorado Springs, CO................................................COS
    Daytona Beach, FL...................................................DAB
    El Paso, TX.........................................................ELP
    Flint, MI...........................................................FNT
    Fort Wayne, IN......................................................FWA
    Honolulu, HI........................................................HNL
    *Huntsville, AL.....................................................HSV
    *Knoxville, TN......................................................TYS
    *Lincoln, NE........................................................LNK
    Lubbock, TX.........................................................LBB
    *Madison, WI........................................................MSN
    *Moline, IL.........................................................MLI
    *Montgomery, AL.....................................................MGM
    *Muskegon, MI.......................................................MKG
    *Norfolk, VA........................................................ORF
    Peoria, IL..........................................................PIA
    *Savannah, GA.......................................................SAV
    *South Bend, IN.....................................................SBN
    Tucson, AZ..........................................................TUS
    *West Palm Beach, FL................................................PBI
    *Youngstown, OH.....................................................YNG
    
    ``C'' Level Service Airports
    
    Abilene, TX.........................................................ABI
    Allentown, PA.......................................................ABE
    Asheville, NC.......................................................AVL
    Athens, GA..........................................................AHN
    Atlantic City, NJ...................................................ACY
    Augusta, GA.........................................................AGS
    Austin, TX..........................................................AUS
    Bakersfield, CA.....................................................BFL
    Bridgeport, CT......................................................BDR
    Bristol, TN.........................................................TRI
    Casper, WY..........................................................CPR
    Columbia, MO........................................................COU
    Columbus, GA........................................................CSG
    Dubuque, IA.........................................................DBQ
    Erie, PA............................................................ERI
    Eugene, OR..........................................................EUG
    Evansville, IN......................................................EVV
    Fargo, ND...........................................................FAR
    Fort Smith, AR......................................................FSM
    Grand Island, NE....................................................GRI
    Helena, MT..........................................................HLN
    Huntington, WV......................................................HTS
    Kahului, HI.........................................................OGG
    Key West, FL........................................................EYW
    Lewiston, ID........................................................LWS
    Lexington, KY.......................................................LEX
    Lynchburg, VA.......................................................LYH
    Macon, GA...........................................................MCN
    Mansfield, OH.......................................................MFD
    Meridian, MS........................................................MEI
    Olympia, WA.........................................................OLM
    Port Arthur, TX.....................................................BPT
    Portland, ME........................................................PWM
    Rapid City, SD......................................................RAP
    Redding, CA.........................................................RDD
    Reno, NV............................................................RNO
    Roanoke, VA.........................................................ROA
    Rochester, MN.......................................................RST
    Salem, OR...........................................................SLE
    Santa Maria, CA.....................................................SMX
    Sioux City, IA......................................................SUX
    Springfield, IL.....................................................SPI
    Stockton, CA........................................................SCK
    Toledo, OH..........................................................TOL
    Waco, TX............................................................ACT
    Waterloo, IA........................................................ALO
    Wilkes-Barre, PA....................................................AVP
    Williamsport, PA....................................................IPT
    Wilmington, DE......................................................ILG
    Worcester, MA.......................................................ORH
    Yakima, WA..........................................................YKM
    
        *Long-line RVR designated site.
    
    [FR Doc. 96-19412 Filed 7-30-96; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 3510-12-M
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
7/31/1996
Published:
07/31/1996
Department:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
96-19412
Dates:
July 31, 1996.
Pages:
39862-39867 (6 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. 960418114-6201-03
PDF File:
96-19412.pdf
CFR: (1)
15 CFR 946