On Friday, the FCC announced an extension of time in which comments can be filed in its proceeding to assess the impact of broadcast towers on migratory birds. We reported on this proceeding here. The order granting the extension noted that most of the active parties in the proceeding, including both conservation groups and communications trade associations, backed the extension. Comments, which were due on January 22, will now be due April 23, with Reply Comments due May 23.
Together with the pending FAA proceeding which raised the possibility of requiring FAA approval for the addition of any new communications user on a tower (about which we reported here), the outcome of this proceeding is very important to all communications companies, as an adverse outcome could greatly complicate the already difficult process of constructing communications towers.