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Fair Weather, Part 2
Wed Aug 11, 2004
Listen in RealAudio 
Hi, I’m Bryan Yeaton for The Weather Notebook. Today, we continue talking with
Edward Johnson, former Director of Strategic Planning for the National Weather
Service, about their report called Fair Weather which recommends strengthening ties
between the Weather Service and existing partners.
EJ: I think one of the fundamental things that needs to be said is that the system that
we have in this country that mixes the capabilities of government and the capabilities of
the private sector and the capabilities of the academic community is really very
effective. It gives America the widest range of weather and climate and environmental
information services, and really, fundamentally, it supports our economy. It protects us
from hazardous conditions and, frankly, this interview is even an example of that. You
know we count on the media to get the word out. The people that you see on the
television are not government employees.
BY: There had been talk that many of the weather service products would only be
available to the general public through private corporations, but Johnson denies that
will happen.
EJ: The open and unrestricted dissemination of government information is actually ...
it’s a more fundamental government policy than even weather. The policy, itself,
endorses that fundamental relationship between the government and the people ...
that the people, you know, already paid for the information and they have a right to get it
without being charged twice for it.
BY: The comment period for Fair Weather ended June 30th, but NOAA’s Strategic plan
is also out for review. To find that, go to our website, www.weathernotebook.org. Our
show is funded by Subaru of America and the National Science Foundation.
Today's Links
NOAA’s Strategic Plan
http://www.spo.noaa.gov/
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