*Pages 1--1 from Microsoft Word - 60847.doc* STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONER ROBERT M. McDOWELL RE: Effects of Communications Towers on Migratory Birds, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, WT Docket No. 03- 187 Having grown up in what was a rural setting in Virginia, I have had a longstanding commitment to ecological conservation, and ornithological conservation in particular. Accordingly, I am pleased that the Commission is furthering its previous efforts to gather scientific evidence on avian mortality at communications towers. Many thanks to Chairman Martin for his leadership in bringing this issue before the Commission today. I encourage all interested parties to participate in this rulemaking. I look forward to working closely with my colleagues and all stakeholders to ensure that the Commission moves forward to carefully balance the need to protect against avian mortalities associated with communications towers, while not unduly hampering the ability of industry to deliver new, advanced services to American consumers as quickly and economically as possible. 1