18 December 2010

Public Comment Sought Regarding Communication Towers

Public input is currently being sought by the Federal Communications Commission in regards to its oversight role of communication towers.

The federal agency is conducting a programmatic environmental assessment (PEA) of its Antenna Structure Registration program, under obligations required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

Facets of the PEA are:

1) NEPA compliance for proposed tower registrations.
2) Effects of communications towers on migratory birds.

The FCC will do a preliminary evaluation of environmental impacts of communication towers, and determine whether a more extensive evaluation - a programmatic environmental impact statement - may be required.

Two public meetings were held: on December 13 at Chula Vista, California and December 15, at Tampa Florida.

A public meeting was also held December 6, at the FCC building in Washington, D.C., which was broadcast live on the internet.

Public comments must be presented by January 14, 2011, and can be submitted online.

The FCC regulates towers through licensing requirements, where every tower built must undergo a federal review.