National Center Snow Plan Date: Thu, 14 Dec 1995 08:41:37 -0500 From: "Joel W. Campbell" To: "USGS Employees at Headquarters" Subject: 1995 National Center Snow Plan U.S. Department of the Interior U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY NATIONAL CENTER BULLETIN Date : December 13, 1995 Number: 95-01 ========================================================== SUBJECT: National Center Snow Plan This is a condensed version of the National Center Hazardous Weather Plan covering snow and cold weather emergencies. It applies only to USGS employees assigned to facilities in the Reston area. Survey employees whose duty stations are located elsewhere in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area are included in the Department of the Interior Plan for Washington, D.C., facilities and will receive snow emergency instructions from the Director's Liaison Office downtown. Hazardous Weather Leave Policies When hazardous weather conditions occur before duty hours and the decision is made to close Federal offices, an announcement will be made over local radio stations. Employees may also obtain the current closure information by calling the USGS Employee Information Line on (703) 648-7075 or (1-800) 228-0975 when calling from outside the Washington metropolitan area. In the absence of an announcement, Survey employees should presume offices are open and are expected to report for duty on time. If a delayed arrival policy is in effect, supervisors may excuse tardiness up to 2 hours because of hazardous weather conditions. Tardiness over two hours may also be excused after a review of the facts by the supervisor. Determining factors for the excuse of tardiness may be found in SM 370.630.11. If an "unscheduled leave" policy is invoked, employees are permitted to take annual leave or leave without pay without prior approval. Early Dismissal When hazardous weather conditions develop during regular duty hours, the Director may release employees early. The Director's decision to release employees will be relayed to the Acting Chief, Office of Program Support (OPS). The Acting Chief, OPS, through the Office of Human Resources (HRO) will inform the Division Administrative Officers of the decision for early dismissal, who will in turn relay this information to all employees. PhoneMail, Electronic Mail and the USGS Employee Information Line may also be used to communicate early dismissal information. When hazardous weather conditions develop during night shift employment hours, the senior shift supervisor will decide whether to release employees early and advise employees accordingly. Employees who are in a duty status at the time of early dismissal will be excused without being charged leave. However, employees in a duty status, who depart before the time set for dismissal, will be charged leave from the time of departure until the time set for dismissal. Employees who are absent on approved leave for the entire workday are charged leave for the entire workday. Questions about early dismissal and leave should be directed to Division Administrative Officers. National Center Snow Removal The Office of Management Services and its contractor are responsible for the removal of snow from all service roads, walkways, and parking areas at the National Center. The clearing operation is conducted throughout the day and night to ensure access to the National Center is maintained. Transportation The Fairfax Connector Bus System will make every effort to maintain public transportation service to the National Center during snow emergencies. The Office of Management Services will notify the Fairfax Connector to provide early bus service when early dismissal is authorized. The Office will also disseminate information on changes in public transportation and USGS shuttle schedules to employees through Division Administrative Officers. Information will be posted at the Information Desk, Main Lobby, National Center. Road Conditions All public roadways in the Reston area are maintained by the State of Virginia. Routes 7 and 28 (primary roads), the Fairfax Parkway (Route 7100), and the Dulles Toll Road (Route 267) will receive priority snow removal. Some heavily traveled secondary roads also receive priority attention: Baron Cameron Avenue (Route 606) from Route 7 to Herndon; Herndon Parkway; Reston Parkway (Route 602), Lawyers Road and West Ox Road (Route 608) from Route 7 to Route 29; portions of Wiehle Avenue, Lawyers Road, and Sunset Hills Road; Hunter Mill Road and Sunrise Valley Drive from Chain Bridge Road in Oakton to Centreville Road in Herndon (Route 657); and Glade Drive. All other roadways in the Reston area will receive snow removal service only after all primary roads and priority secondary roads are cleared; however, the State will sand and/or salt "hilly" portions. During all snow emergencies, snow tires, all-weather radials, or chains are recommended. Many roadways in the Reston area are posted as "Snow Emergency Routes." A Snow Emergency Route designation means that, during periods of major snowfall, the route must be cleared of parked vehicles. It does not necessarily mean that the route will receive priority snow removal or be chemically treated. Parking violations may result in towing away and impoundment. If not equipped with snow or comparable tires, vehicles impeding traffic on snow emergency routes may be ticketed. Points of Contact The Acting Chief, Office of Management Services is responsible for carrying out the snow plan once the determination is made that emergency conditions exist. Division Administrative Officers will be kept informed of all developments concerning snow and hazardous weather conditions. Employees should direct their inquiries and reports of snow emergency problems to their Division Administrative Officers, who will relay them, if necessary, to the Acting Chief, Office of Management Services, on extension 7310.