[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 15, Volume 3]
[Revised as of January 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 15CFR946.1]

[Page 272]
 
                  TITLE 15--COMMERCE AND FOREIGN TRADE
 
CHAPTER IX--NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT 
                               OF COMMERCE
 
PART 946--MODERNIZATION OF THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE--Table of Contents
 
Sec. 946.1  Purpose.

    (a) This part sets forth the procedures for certification by the 
Secretary of Commerce that the closure, consolidation, automation or 
relocation of any field office of the National Weather Service (NWS) 
pursuant to the implementation of the Strategic Plan for the 
Modernization of the NWS will not result in any degradation of weather 
services. Section 706 of Pub. L. 102-567 requires that no such field 
office be closed, consolidated, automated, or relocated until such 
certification is made. This part distinguishes these modernization 
activities which require certification from those changes in operations 
at a field office which do not require certification.
    (b) This part, including specifically these sections which specify 
when certifications are required, is intended to promote confidence that 
public safety is being adequately considered during the modernization 
process. While some of the terms used in these regulations may be 
identical to those used by the Office of Personnel Management, the 
General Services Administration, or by NOAA in personnel regulations, 
this part does not affect or supersede those regulations. In particular, 
a determination that the move of a field office is not a ``relocation'' 
for purposes of these regulations does not affect an employee's rights 
to relocation assistance, discontinued service retirement, severance 
pay, or grade and pay retention.