PUBLIC NOTICE
Federal Communications Commission
445 12
th
St., S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20554
News Media Information 202 / 418-0500
Internet: http://www.fcc.gov
TTY: 1-888-835-5322
DA 13-2324
Released:  December 5, 2013
COMMENT DEADLINES ANNOUNCED FOR NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING ON 
IMPROVING WIRELESS FACILITIES SITING POLICIES
WT Docket No. 13-32; WT Docket No. 13-238; WC Docket No. 11-59
Comments Due: February 3, 2014 
Reply Comments Due: March 5, 2014 
On September 26, 2013, the Commission released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in 
WT Docket Nos. 13-238 and 13-32 and WC Docket No. 11-59, taking additional steps to reduce barriers 
to wireless infrastructure deployment.
1
  The NPRM seeks comment on expediting the Commission’s 
environmental review process, including review for effects on historic properties, in connection with 
proposed deployments of small cells, Distributed Antenna Systems, and other small-scale wireless 
technologies that may have minimal effects on the environment. In addition, the NPRM proposes a 
narrow exemption from the Commission’s pre-construction environmental notification requirements for 
certain temporary towers.  The NPRM also seeks comment on rules to clarify and implement the 
requirements of Section 6409(a) of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012, and on 
certain issues regarding a 2009 declaratory ruling, often called the Shot Clock Order, which established 
presumptively reasonable time periods for local review of wireless facility siting applications under 
Section 332(c)(7) of the Communications Act.  The NPRM set deadlines for filing comments and reply 
comments at 60 and 90 days after publication in the Federal Register.
On December 5, 2013, the Office of the Federal Register published a summary of the NPRM and 
associated comment and reply comment dates.
2
  Accordingly, comments must be filed on or before 
February 3, 2014, and reply comments must be filed on or before March 5, 2014.  The NPRM sets forth 
the comment filing instructions.
                                                          
1
In the Matter of Acceleration of Broadband Deployment by Improving Wireless Facilities Siting Policies; 
Acceleration of Broadband Deployment: Expanding the Reach and Reducing the Cost of Broadband Deployment by 
Improving Policies Regarding Public Rights of Way and Wireless Facilities Siting; 2012 Biennial Review of 
Telecommunications Regulations, WT Docket No. 13-238, WC Docket No. 11-59, WT Docket No. 13-32, Notice of 
Proposed Rulemaking, FCC 13-122 (rel. Sept. 26, 2013) (NPRM).  For an electronic copy of the NPRM, see 
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-13-122A1.docx. 
2
78 Fed. Reg. 73144 (Dec. 5, 2013).  The summary is also available at https://federalregister.gov/a/2013-28349. 
2For further information regarding this proceeding, contact Peter Trachtenberg, at (202) 418-7369, 
or by email at Peter.Trachtenberg@fcc.gov, or Mania Baghdadi, at (202) 418-2133, or by email at 
Mania.Baghdadi@fcc.gov.
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