Outreach News - 11/12/2010

1. For those of you who have constructed communications towers, you are probably well aware of the potential complexity of issues related to environmental compliance and recognize the importance of this area to public safety communications. To comply with its obligations under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the FCC is conducting a Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) of its Antenna Structure Registration (ASR) program. The purpose of the PEA is to evaluate the potential environmental effects of the Commission’s ASR program. The Commission is undertaking the PEA in response to the determination of the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in American Bird Conservancy v. FCC that registered towers may have a significant environmental effect on migratory birds. In the course of the PEA, the Commission will consider alternatives to address potential environmental effects, and will determine whether a more extensive analysis, in the form of a programmatic Environmental Impact Statement, may be required under NEPA.

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION ANNOUNCES PUBLIC MEETINGS AND INVITES COMMENT ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF ITS ANTENNA STRUCTURE REGISTRATION PROGRAM. (DA No. 10-2178). (Dkt No 08-61 03-187 ). Comments Due: 01/14/2011. WTB . Contact: Aaron Goldschmidt at (202) 418-7146, email: Aaron.Goldschmidt@fcc.gov
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-10-2178A1.doc
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-10-2178A1.pdf
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-10-2178A1.txt

2. In September, the FCC issued a very important Public Notice entitled, “PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY BUREAU SEEKS COMMENT ON THE TECHNICAL AND OPERATIONAL FEASIBILITY OF ENABLING FLEXIBLE USE OF THE 700 MHZ PUBLIC SAFETY NARROWBAND ALLOCATION AND GUARD BAND FOR BROADBAND SERVICES”. This Public Notice seeks narrative and/or quantitative feedback related to the narrowband voice applications in the 700 MHz frequency band and potential reuse of the spectrum for broadband communications in the future. Please note that comments are due on December 3, 2010. While all comments on relevant issues are welcome, the FCC is specifically seeking input from state governments and Regional Planning Committees. Many organizations are formulating comments; however, this purpose of this reminder is to reach out to all interested persons and remind them of the date for responses as well as the importance of addressing the issues included in the Public Notice. To assist readers in formulating a response, a summary of the specific areas in which the FCC seeks input is attached.