Environmental, Industry Groups Meet on Bird Deaths Caused by Towers
Environmental and industry groups’ representatives are meeting to narrow differences on wireless towers and bird deaths. CTIA, PCIA, NAB, the American Bird Conservancy, the National Assn. of Tower Erectors, Environmental Defense and others asked the FCC to extend by 90 days the deadline for comments on possible rule changes. If the FCC agrees, comments would be due April 23, replies a month later.
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Sources said Mon. the groups met Dec. 13 in D.C., with another meeting set for this month. Participants agreed not to disclose specifics, though tower height and lighting are expected to be central topics, sources said.
“We're trying to find a middle ground,” an industry source said: “The more times you hold discussions the more opportunities there may be to work things out… There were good conversations, and it was very amicable.”
Calling the effort “groundbreaking,” the letter said participants “share a common goal of protecting the environment while providing communications services to the American people. The additional time requested herein will allow us to focus on this common goal and narrow areas of disagreement.”
A Nov. NPRM proposed lighting requirements for new and existing towers. The FCC tentatively concluded that medium intensity white strobe lights are preferable for lighting towers. The Commission may limit tower company use of guy wires (CD Nov 8 p1). Many environmentalists believe these wires also kill birds.
Va. and Md. safety agencies, meanwhile, asked the FCC to weigh issues they and their cohort face in building communications systems. Public safety has “special attributes” that could make lighting rules troublesome, they said.
“One unique aspect of a state-of-the-art public safety communications system is the need for towers to be proximate to all parts of a jurisdiction,” the agencies said: “Out of necessity, some communications towers must be constructed proximate to neighborhoods… many citizens do not welcome the construction of communications towers proximate to their neighborhood. One of the principle complaints of citizens is the annoyance of night time flashing white strobe lights.”