SRI began work on NEXRAD in the early 1980s preparing radar coverage analyses, environmental impact statements (EIS) and health reports that assessed both the local and network-wide impact of the NEXRAD system. The selection of SRI to manage and coordinate all key aspects of siting the weather network highlights SRI’s multidisciplinary expertise including electrical engineering, radiation physics, ground water hydrology and quality, geology and seismicity, air quality, meteorology, transportation analysis, land-use management, endangered species biology, noise reduction, socioeconomics, visual resources and environmental justice. In addition to environmental assessments (EAs) and health impact studies, SRI technologists and analysts assisted the government in determining the effectiveness of placing the radar at each site, obtaining land-use permits, conducting hazardous waste and property transfer audits, and developing community outreach and education programs.

“The success of NEXRAD underscores SRI’s ability to bring together scientists, technologists and analysts with diverse areas of expertise and to create a project team to match a client’s exact needs,” said Patricia L. Burns, envirotechnical siting program manager, who accepted the Department of Commerce award on SRI’s behalf at a Silver Springs, Maryland ceremony last week along with John P. McHenry, senior vice president of Engineering and Systems Development and William B. Mohr, director of program development in SRI’s Washington D.C. office.

“The SRI model is to continue to capitalize on our broad and in-depth knowledge of science and technology by creating teams that can quickly and cost effectively provide technology-based solutions for clients worldwide. This award of excellence from the Department of Commerce demonstrates that our multidisciplinary approach to solving client challenges does work,” said Murray J. Baron, vice president, Radio Science & Engineering Division.

As part of NEXRAD, SRI conducted analyses and proposed recommendations under the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) and the Directives Manual of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a mandatory standard for multi-state federal programs. The SRI team also performed EAs for weather forecast facilities, which included antenna farms, generators and generator fuel shelters, balloon inflation buildings, offices and data processing centers. Under its NEXRAD agreement, SRI developed and currently manages an extensive NEXRAD database of site-specific and topic-related files, photographs, maps, drawings, surveys and reports which will be transferred to the JSPO upon conclusion of the project.

SRI International is one of the largest research, technology development and consulting firms in the world providing corporations, governments and organizations worldwide with the technology research and resources needed for competing more effectively in today's changing global environment.