SUBJECT: An Example of Importance of SMP S40 being Manned The recent winter storm in the Cascades has once again pointed out the necessity of keeping the SIP WSMO manned with human observers. It also pointed out the continued conscientious work performed by its OIC, Ken Monson. Heavy snow had been falling in the Cascades since Monday evening, February 5, up until the afternoon hours of February 6 when it turned to moderate to heavy rain above 4000 feet. The Yakima, Naches and Tietan Rivers were well below flood stage, but considerable ice was still on the rivers from the recent month long cold spell. Any rise in the streams, even to below flood stage levels, could cause ice jams and possible flooding. In the lower elevations of the Yakima River Basin, a considerable amount of snow still covered the valley floor. Concern was being expressed by the local public about possible small stream flooding as a warm southwesterly wind was blow-ing over the valley. Thus, at 4 PST when the MP MO sent its last human augmented report for the day showing moderate to heavy rain, I called Ken on our local FAA radio and asked if he would send us hourly reports of what was happening at SP. lie very cooperatival did so. (I had to do this because the AliOS reports do not tell us if it's raining or snowing and it does not accurately tell the amount of precipitation that is falling.) Because of Ken's reports through the evoning and early nighttime hours, we were able to confirm our beliefs that there would not be any serious flooding of the main Yakima, and liaches Rivers in Yakima County. They were also very important in helping us to make up our mind that small stream flooding, if any, would be isolated. So what? Well, here's what. Because of Kens reports, we were able to keep the local emergency services people aware of the fact that we were not anticipating flooding problems. This gave them the information to decide not to expend tax dollars on flood protection measures. Tax dollars that might have boen spent had they not been aware of the fact that flooding problems were not anticipated by us. This is just one example where services of the F O lead to direct savings of local public tax monies. Savings that most likely would not have been made if SMP were manned only by an AMOS. It would be nice if Ken could be awarded some recognition for the important services he provided - free during this situation. He did so willingly without even asking for compensatory time off. NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION [The following statement from the Honorable Robert H. Mollohan, Member of Congress, was submitted to the Committee concerning the fiscal year 1980 budget request for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration:] 43-900 - 79-35 Subcommittee on State, Justice, Commerce, and Judiciary Appropriations On the Subject of Fiscal Year 1980 Budget Request National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's March 6, 1979 Mr. Chairman, I regret very much the necessity of coming to the Subcommittee again this year to fight the same battle we waged last year with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) over the closing of local weather stations. You will recall that NOAA last year proposed abandoning 19 weather stations and eliminating 58 personnel positions at a projected savings of $1.7 million. The Subcommittee reviewed this proposal and rejected it. This year NOAA proposes to close 22 stations, eliminate 40 personnel positions and save $689,000. - as One of the stations earmarked for closure both last year and this year is at Parkersburg, West Virginia, in my Congressional District. I find it particularly interesting to note that last year NOAA stated that it could save $33,000 by shutting down the Parkersburg operation. This year the savings is listed as $18,000. The reason for the lower figure is that NOAA acknowledges now -it did not last year that it will have to spend a considerable proportion of the projected savings to install multi-line telephone recordings in a questionable effort to fulfill its pledge that closing the station will not result în diminished public service. So what we're talking about now is saving $18,000 by eliminating a vital service tomore than 150,000 persons in the Parkersburg/Marietta Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area. That works out to a savings of about 12 cents per year per person, which won't even buy a pack of chewing gum, Last year when NOAA made this proposal, I sponsored a public hearing in Parkersburg so that Agency officials could have the benefit of local public thinking. Sentiment was overwhelmingly in opposition to closing the station, and my statement last year to the Subcommittee provided a detailed accounting of the justifications for retaining it. I will not reiterate the myriad of reasons outlined in that document since the facts haven't changed and the material is part of the official record. However, I believe it would be helpful to share with the Subcommittee observations of the people of Parkersburg, many of whom have written to me again this year on this matter. MRS. THELMA YOUNG, PARKERSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA "We read where billions of dollars (are) being stolen or lost some way in different departments of our government, and we cannot have $18,000 for a needy service, (It) looks a little silly to me." WALLACE A KNOPP, PARKERSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA "Another very important thing I would like to point out is: Weather information for the Parkersburg, W. Va. (and the Mid-Ohio Valley) area is used in engineering handbooks, text books, and related reference material, as the official weather data for this area. It is used in design calculations, the building and construction industries, as well as other related businesses." |