TOWER GROUPS SAY FCC ACTED CORRECTLY IN BIRD DEATH DECISION

摘要

The American Bird Conservancy and the Forest Conservation Council failed to show a direct connection between bird deaths and wireless towers, a group of industry organizations told the U.S. Appeals Court, D.C., as it takes up the environmental groups' case seeking a moratorium on Gulf Coast tower construction. AT&T Mobility, Cellular Telecom & Internet Assn., NAB, PCIA and the National Assn. of Tower Erectors filed as friends of the court in support of the FCC. In April 2006, the FCC rejected a 2002 petition from environmental groups that argued the FCC's policies on construction of communication towers in the region violate several federal environmental laws, including the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the Endangered Species Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The FCC has started a broader proceeding on cell towers and bird deaths. And environmental and industry groups are still negotiating, looking for common ground to settle some of the longstanding fights on rules for towers that would curb bird deaths. Oral arguments haven't been scheduled in the federal court case.