Item Regarding Migratory Birds to Take Flight at Nov. 3rd Meeting
As we mentioned last month, the FCC has been considering a Notice of Proposed Rule Making regarding the effects of communications towers on migratory birds. The item has made the rounds through the Commissioners' offices, and it appears that the Commission is now ready to act on the item, which has been included on the agenda for the Commission's Open Meeting scheduled for Friday, November 3, 2006. Back in 2003, the Commission issued a Notice of Inquiry on this matter under then-Chairman Michael Powell, and opened a proceeding as docket WT 03-187. Now three years later, it appears that the matter has matured into an NPRM, with comments likely due the first part of next year. It is possible that this rule making could make it more difficult to construct new towers or modify existing ones, so check back after Friday's meeting for a summary of the proposed rule making.