Press Release

PCIA Comments on Duplicative Environmental Assessments in Wetlands

Alexandria, VA, March 9, 2005. On March 7, PCIA filed comments with the Federal Communications Commission in support of a Petition for Declaratory Ruling submitted by Stokes Environmental Services regarding environmental assessments (EA) for proposed facilities in wetland areas.

The Petition correctly stated that an applicant first obtains a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to construct the tower when proposing a facility in a wetland area and demonstrated that the filing of an EA with the FCC is duplicative.

As a champion of streamlined compliance obligations for the wireless infrastructure industry and its facilities, PCIA supported Stokes’ assertion that projects covered by Corp permits should not require an EA under the Commission’s rules. Instead, PCIA urged both the FCC and the Corps to coordinate “regulations and informal guidance from the respective agencies, in order to eliminate duplicative and unnecessary compliance procedures.” Such cooperation between agencies could also assist each in achieving desired goals of NEPA compliance and improve upon their service to applicants and the public.

Furthermore, PCIA suggested that the Commission and the Corp work closely “to develop an appropriate nationwide permit that would expressly and efficiently cover communications sites and tower projects.”

About PCIA

PCIA, the Wireless Infrastructure Association, is the principal trade association representing the companies that make up the wireless telecommunications and broadcast infrastructure industry. PCIA’s members own and manage more than 50,000 telecommunications towers and antenna facilities that support analog, digital and broadcast services across the country.

PCIA seeks the advancement of the wireless communications industry through advocacy, technical and marketplace initiatives. As the leading representative of infrastructure providers, PCIA monitors the regulatory obligations imposed on its members and others in the industry. PCIA supports programs and policies that facilitate the rapid build-out of the national wireless networks, and enable the industries that construct and maintain these networks.