EVALUATION_CRITERIA_NEXRAD_MASSACHUSETTS.pdf

EVALUATION CRITERIA

Weather Surveillance Radar – 1988 Doppler

KBOX

The environment and terrain surrounding the site evaluation criteria includes:

• quality and extent of any screening objects over the 360 degree azimuth sector: hills, buildings

(existing or proposed), tree growth (existing or proposed), horizon, etc;

• radar reflectors (reflecting surfaces); terrain features (soil type, bodies of water, mountains, farmland, forests, urban areas);

• environmental features (areas affected by National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and its implanting guidelines and policies);

• electrical power (access to/above ground and/or buried to minimize broadband noise interference), surface traffic, drainage, sanitation and area development.

In conjunction with the above, the following minimum requirements apply to KBOX:

Coverage

The radar is to be sited to provide 2,500 ft coverage or lower over the metropolitan Boston area, including Boston/Logan airport, and Hanscom AFB. Any new location must maintain or improve the current coverage over those areas.

Site must possess an open line of sight of sky in order optimize clear view in the prevailing direction from with damaging weather approaches.

Site Geometry.

• Land Area Size: Site size must be no less than 10,500 square feet and no larger than 21,800 square feet of improved land.

• Site geometry permits placement of radar facilities (i.e. WSR-88D radar plus four shelters and three parking spaces) and any associated equipment [minimum 120 feet by 90 feet].

• The site must possess appropriate land use

• Maximize use of existing facilities to minimize installation costs; provided this does not degrade the use of NEXRAD.

• Minimize the acquisition or lease of new land.

Communications/Utilities.

Site must have access to electrical power within 500 linear feet with the right to connect the electrical utility to the Government radar, associated equipment and facilities. Additional voltage requirements may be added based on site location and access to utilities.

Site must have access to or allow access for high-speed internet communications and allow for standard satellite communication systems.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

Weather Surveillance Radar – 1988 Doppler

KBOX

Floodplain.

Site must not be within a 100 or 500-year floodplain.

The access road on the property must not be within a 100 or 500-year floodplain.

Environmental.

Sites with any preexisting contamination or hazardous substances must fully disclose and may not be appropriate for use.

Utility Access.

Site must possess existing access to electrical power within 500 linear feet with the right to connect to the electricity to the government radar system(s) and equipment [voltage, may be added to minimum requirement if a site or sites meet said requirement].

Site Access.

Premises must have 24/7 access to a public right of way for regular inspection and maintenance of the radar facilities; the greater premises must have at least two means of ingress/egress to public right of ways.

Lessor to permit at least three parking spaces on the leased site for regular access in performing inspection and maintenance of the radar facilities

Perimeter Security.

Site must permit the Government to fence in the Government’s equipment for security purposes.