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 NEWS  News  media  Information  202  /  418-  0500  Fax-  On-  Demand  202  /  418-  2830  TTY  202/  418-  2555  Internet:  http://  www.  fcc.  gov  ftp.  fcc.  gov  Federal  Communications  Commission  445  12  th  Street,  S.  W.  Washington,  D.  C.  20554  This  is  an  unofficial  announcement  of  Commission  action.  Release  of  the  full  text  of  a  Commission  order  constitutes  official  action.  See  MCI  v.  FCC.  515  F  2d  385  (D.  C.  Circ  1974).  FOR  IMMEDIATE  RELEASE  Contact:  Meribeth  McCarrick 
 May  1,  2003  (202)  418-  0654  David  Fiske 
 (202)  418-  0513 


 ENVIRONMENTAL  AND  HISTORIC  PRESERVATION  ACTION  PLAN  Statement  by  FCC  Chairman  Michael  K.  Powell 
 In  recognition  of  the  importance  of  deploying  communications  services  consistent  with  the  mandates  of  National  Environmental  Policy  Act  of  1969  (NEPA)  and  the  National  Historic 
 Preservation  Act  of  1966  (NHPA),  I  have  asked  Commission  staff  to  develop  the  agency’s  first  comprehensive  strategic  plan  to  improve  our  ability  to  protect  valuable  historic  and 
 environmental  resources,  while  at  the  same  time  accelerating  the  process  of  deploying  necessary  communications  infrastructure.  One  of  the  Commission’s  critical  responsibilities  is  to  manage 
 the  expansion  of  communications  infrastructure  in  a  way  that  best  preserves  our  Nation’s  environmental  and  historic  resources.  Additional  communications  towers  and  other 
 infrastructure  improvements  are  critical  to  the  rapid  deployment  to  the  American  public  of  ubiquitous,  advanced,  and  competitive  communications  services,  as  well  as  for  public  safety  and 
 homeland  security.  Although  the  Commission’s  statutory  obligations  are  longstanding,  I  have  recently  concluded  that  the  expanding  need  for  telecommunications  infrastructure  requires  the 
 Commission  to  take  a  more  proactive  approach  to  these  issues. 
 As  part  of  this  action  plan,  I  intend  to  work  with  my  colleagues  to:  (1)  initiate  a  series  of  proceedings  designed  to  enhance  our  expertise  in  environmental  and  historic  matters  and  modify 
 our  rules  as  necessary;  (2)  work  with  the  industry  and  government  to  develop  more  efficient  and  effective  communication;  (3)  examine  our  processes  for  streamlining  opportunities;  and  (4) 
 enforce  the  rules  swiftly  and  effectively  to  create  incentives  for  parties  to  follow  the  required  processes  before  construction.  This  plan  highlights  the  Commission’s  commitment  to  carry  out 
 its  responsibility  for  communications  deployment,  environmental  protection,  and  historic  preservation. 


 The  Federal  Communications  Commission  has  specific  responsibilities  pursuant  to  NEPA  ,  NHPA,  and  other  related  statutes  to  evaluate  the  impact  of  its  actions  on  the  quality  of 
 the  human  environment.  1  These  responsibilities  most  prominently  come  into  play  regarding  the 


 1  NEPA  requires  agencies  of  the  Federal  Government  to  evaluate  the  effects  of  their  major  federal  actions 
 on  the  quality  of  the  human  environment.  The  Commission  has  found  that  these  requirements  apply  to  a  wide  range  of  communications  facilities,  including  broadcast  and  cellular  antenna  structures,  fiber  optic  lines,  undersea  cables, 


 and  other  communications  facilities.  NHPA  requires  agencies  of  the  Federal  Government  to  take  into  account  the 
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 construction  of  communications  towers  and  their  impact  on  the  environment  and  historic  sites,  including  Indian  historic,  cultural,  or  religious  sites. 
 I  look  forward  to  working  with  my  fellow  Commissioners,  Tribal  governments,  State  and  Local  government  organizations,  and  my  counterparts  at  other  Federal  agencies  to  implement 
 these  important  initiatives.  -  FCC  - 


 effect  of  their  federal  undertakings  on  any  district,  site,  building,  structure,  or  object  that  is  included  in  or  eligible  for  inclusion  in  the  National  Register  of  Historic  Places. 
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