The FCC approved an interim waiver allowing carriers...
The FCC approved an interim waiver allowing carriers to more quickly install temporary towers. The order had been circulated by Chairman Julius Genachowski earlier this month (CD May 7 p 12). “We take initial action to remove an administrative obstacle…
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to the availability of broadband and other wireless services during major events and unanticipated periods of localized high demand,” the order said (http://bit.ly/10CRtjx). “Specifically, we grant an interim waiver, pending completion of an upcoming rulemaking proceeding, of our pre-construction environmental notice requirements for certain temporary towers that require antenna structure registration. By so doing, we create an efficient mechanism for the timely erection of temporary towers in response to unanticipated needs without creating a significant risk of environmental harm.” The interim waiver covers towers that are under 200 feet in height, will be in use for 60 days or less, require the filing of a Form 7460-1 with the Federal Aviation Administration and do not require marking or lighting under FAA regulations. Last year, CTIA asked for the change and the FCC sought comment. “We find it significant that no party filed comments opposing either the Petition or the request for waiver,” the agency said. The FCC plans to release shortly an NPRM examining whether to make the waiver permanent, the order said. “To further ensure against significant environmental impacts, we limit the interim waiver of environmental notice to those proposals that either involve no excavation or involve excavation where the depth of previous disturbance exceeds the proposed construction depth (excluding footings and other anchoring mechanisms) by at least two feet,” the FCC said. “We are concerned that excavation of previously undisturbed ground may cause significant effects on historic or other environmental resources."