The phrase "surfacestations project" refers to a research effort aimed at studying and assessing the quality of weather stations located at the Earth's surface. Full definition
This from Watts (at WTF) on 8/31: «For those of you wondering about the upcoming surfacestations project paper, let me say that it is now mostly out of my hands and will not be impacted by item 1. (rabett.blogspot.ru)
p 41: «In a conversation during Anthony Watts invited presentation about the surfacestations projects to NCDC, on 4/24/2008, he was briefed on USHCN2's algorithms and how they operated by Matt Menne, lead author of the USHCN2 project.» (wattsupwiththat.com)
On April 24, 2008, at a presentation about the surfacestations projects to NCDC, Matt Menne, lead author of the USHCN2 project, briefed Anthony Watts on USHCN2's algorithms and how they operated. (wattsupwiththat.com)