After Secretary Baker reviewed the reasons for the commissioning of the Kelly report ("inconsistent and unreliable information about modernization of the NWS"), General Kelly briefly reviewed the approach and methodology behind his final report. He reviewed some of his twenty seven recommendations as well as his determination of the need for supplemental NWS appropriations of $20 million in each of FY 1998 and 1999. Dr. Baker went on to point out that Department of Commerce Secretary Daley will begin to implement a number of the recommendations immediately. These actions will include the creation of a Chief Financial Officer for the NWS and the creation of two advisory boards to review the future mission of the NWS; one of the boards would be comprised of emergency managers and the other of representatives of the commercial weather services industry. Dr. Baker concluded his opening remarks with the statement that his priority now, as it has been during his tenure as NOAA Secretary, is the successful completion of the NWS modernization. The meeting was then opened for questions from the constituents attending.
The first question to Kelly and Baker concerned the current "hold" on deployment of AWIPS hardware. When will the deployment move forward with the release of 18 AWIPS workstations? Baker noted that a decision on deployment was forthcoming. While the Department is committed to move forward, Secretary Daley will await the outcome of the current operational test and evaluation at three deployed AWIPS sites before further deployment. Meanwhile work on software build 4 continues.
A constituent noted the apparent lack of contact with the Inspector General in preparation of the report. Kelly responded that he read all pertinent IG reports during his study.
Kelly was asked about his conclusion that a panel of outside experts review NWS technology infusion plans. Does this include software? Kelly said that such a committee would examine software. The follow up question asked if this would be a broad based panel, perhaps headed up by the National Research Council. Kelly indicated that Baker could implement this recommendation in any number of ways. Baker suggested that if constituents had ideas, NOAA would like to hear them.
A constituent expressed concern about representation of the aviation community on one of the two advisory boards examining the NWS mission. The constituent felt that the weather needs of the aviation community were not adequately addressed in the written report. General Kelly admitted that in the short time frame he had to complete the report, there was not enough time to contact all the different outside NWS constituent groups. Dr. Baker interjected that we could create a broader advisory group perhaps modeled on NASA advisory groups.
A constituent pointed out the need to establish NWS user community needs as soon as possible to influence the FY 2000 budget process. Another constituent asked if it was the report's recommendation to broaden the NWS mission to serve specific groups. General Kelly answered not necessarily. NOAA needs to examine what the taxpayers want.
A constituent asked about the timetable for appointment of advisory panels to examine the Organic Act (NWS mission). Dr. Baker answered that NOAA is looking to move quickly on this recommendation. This includes taking written comment from constituents and seeking approval for the creation of the advisory panels. His estimate was that approval would be forthcoming in a matter of a few months.
A constituent asked Kelly and Baker about NOAA/NWS climate services and specifically about the Regional Climate Centers and where they belong in NOAA. Kelly indicated that NOAA needs to examine its climate prediction mission. If the RCC's were to continue with NOAA funding, they should be put under the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS). He did not have an opinion on whether the RCC's should be funded.
Has the hiring freeze been lifted? Dr. Baker answered yes. NWS is actively filling vacancies. However, Baker pointed out, that NOAA does not yet have an FY 1998 budget out of congress yet. NOAA is supportive of Kelly's budget figures for FY 1998.
A constituent asked about the report recommendation that the NWS Southern Region remain open. Kelly indicated that after interviewing affected constituents including the emergency management community, he came to the conclusion that a degradation in operational effectiveness of field support from closure of the southern region at this point in the modernization outweighs the small dollar savings ($400,000) from closure of the southern region. He recommended maintaining the four mainland regional structure through the rest of modernization and then undertaking an objective risk analysis study of the NWS regional structure.
A constituent noted that the General's report was complementary of NWS field operations, but critical of NWS headquarters operations. How did the General square this view with the performance of the NWS over the last decade of modernization? Dr. Kelly indicated that he did not examine the last ten years. He sensed a serious communications breakdown at the headquarters level.
A constituent asked about the conclusion with regards to NWS training. If that is to be consolidated within one organization, which one would that be. Kelly and Baker pointed out that this would be a decision for the next director of the NWS, but that training would be within one NWS office.
A final question concerned the timetable for appointment of a new director of the NWS. The vacancy announcement has closed and Dr. Baker estimated that the process would be completed by the end of the calendar year. The job would then be offered to the selected individual in January 1998. Dr. Baker applied the same timetable to the approval and naming of constituents to advisory boards examining the future mission of the NWS.