Posted by Elaine on May 20, 2005 at 09:50:15:
Dear Ms. Jobin:
Thank you for contacting me to share your opposition to the
National Weather Service Duties Act of 2005 (S. 786). Please know that
I appreciate hearing from you and welcome the opportunity to respond.
As you may know, the National Weather Service Duties Act
would clarify the duties and responsibilities of the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and its National Weather Service
(NWS). In addition, this bill prohibits the NWS from dispersing
information that is also provided by private services. NOAA's current
policy states that "the nation benefits from government information
disseminated both by Federal agencies and by diverse nonfederal parties,
including commercial and not-for-profit entities." Further, "NOAA will
give due consideration to these abilities, and consider the effects of its
decisions on the activities of these entities."
Please know that I understand your concerns about how this
legislation could impair the quality and breadth of information available
to the public. The National Weather Service Duties Act has been
referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation. Although I am not a member of this committee, I will be
sure to keep your comments in mind should the National Weather
Service Duties Act come to the Senate floor.
Again, thank you for your letter. If I can be of further assistance,
please do not hesitate to call my Washington, D.C. staff at (202)
224-3841.
Sincerely yours,
Dianne Feinstein
United States Senator
http://feinstein.senate.gov
Further information about my position on issues of concern to California and the Nation are available at my website
http://feinstein.senate.gov. You can also receive electronic e-mail updates by subscribing to my e-mail list at
http://feinstein.senate.gov/issue.html.