83_FR_1222 83 FR 1215 - Comment Sought on Draft Program Comment for the FCC's Review of Collocations on Certain Towers Constructed Without Documentation of Section 106 Review

83 FR 1215 - Comment Sought on Draft Program Comment for the FCC's Review of Collocations on Certain Towers Constructed Without Documentation of Section 106 Review

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 7 (January 10, 2018)

Page Range1215-1220
FR Document2018-00292

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) seeks comment on a draft Program Comment that would exclude from historic preservation review the collocation of wireless communications facilities on towers that either did not complete such review or cannot be documented to have completed such review.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 7 (Wednesday, January 10, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 7 (Wednesday, January 10, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 1215-1220]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-00292]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Part 1

[WT Docket No. 17-79; FCC 17-165]


Comment Sought on Draft Program Comment for the FCC's Review of 
Collocations on Certain Towers Constructed Without Documentation of 
Section 106 Review

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC 
or Commission) seeks comment on a draft Program Comment that would 
exclude from historic preservation review the collocation of wireless 
communications facilities on towers that either did not complete such 
review or cannot be documented to have completed such review.

DATES: Comments are due on February 9, 2018; reply comments are due on 
February 26, 2018.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by WT Docket No. 17-79, 
by any of the following methods:
     Federal Communications Commission's website: http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs//. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     People with Disabilities: Contact the FCC to request 
reasonable accommodations (accessible format documents, sign language 
interpreters, CART, etc.) by email: FCC504@fcc.gov or phone: 202-418-
0530 or TTY: 888-835-5322.
    For detailed instructions for submitting comments and additional 
information on the rulemaking process, see the SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION section of this document.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information on this 
proceeding, contact Daniel J. Margolis, Competition and Infrastructure 
Policy Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, at 
daniel.margolis@fcc.gov or (202) 418-1377.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's 
document, FCC 17-165, adopted and released on December 14, 2017. The 
full text of this document is available for

[[Page 1216]]

public inspection and copying during regular business hours in the FCC 
Reference Center, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street 
SW, Room CY-A257, Washington, DC 20554. The complete text of this 
document will also be available via ECFS at https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-seeks-comment-plan-ease-collocations-twilight-towers-0. 
Documents will be available electronically in ASCII, Microsoft Word, 
and/or Adobe Acrobat. Alternative formats are available for people with 
disabilities (Braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), by 
sending an Email to fcc504@fcc.gov or calling the Commission's Consumer 
and Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-0530 (voice), (202) 418-
0432 (TTY).

Synopsis

    1. In this document, the Commission takes another step towards 
promoting the deployment of wireless infrastructure. In particular, the 
Commission sets out a definitive solution for so-called ``Twilight 
Towers,'' which, if adopted, would create a new exclusion from routine 
historic preservation review under section 106 of the National Historic 
Preservation Act (NHPA), 54 U.S.C. 306108, and its implementing 
regulations, 36 CFR part 800. This action would open up potentially 
thousands of existing towers for collocations without the need for 
either the collocation or the underlying tower to complete an 
individual historic review, thus ensuring that these towers are 
generally treated the same as older towers that are already excluded 
from the historic review process. Facilitating collocations on these 
towers will make additional infrastructure available for wireless 
deployments, reduce the need for new towers, and decrease the need for 
new construction. After more than a decade of debate over the best 
approach for Twilight Towers, the Commission welcomes the chance to 
advance this concrete path forward.
    2. Twilight Towers are towers whose construction commenced between 
March 16, 2001, and March 7, 2005, that either did not complete section 
106 review or cannot be documented to have completed such review. 
Sections 1.1307(a)(4) and 1.1320(a) \1\ of the Commission's rules, 47 
CFR 1.1307(a)(4), 1.1320(a), direct licensees and applicants, when 
determining whether a proposed action may affect historic properties, 
to follow the procedures in the rules of the Advisory Council on 
Historic Preservation (ACHP) or an applicable program alternative, 
including the Nationwide Programmatic Agreement for the Collocation of 
Wireless Antennas (2001 Collocation NPA), 47 CFR part 1, app. B, and 
the Nationwide Programmatic Agreement for Review of Effects on Historic 
Properties for Certain Undertakings Approved by the Federal 
Communications Commission (2005 Wireless Facilities NPA), 47 CFR part 
1, app. C. Under section III of the 2001 Collocation NPA, collocations 
on towers whose construction commenced on or before March 16, 2001, are 
generally excluded from routine historic preservation review, 
regardless of whether the underlying tower has undergone section 106 
review. See 47 CFR part 1, app. B, section III. By contrast, section IV 
of the 2001 Collocation NPA provides that collocations on towers whose 
construction commenced on or after March 16, 2001, are excluded from 
historic preservation review only if the Section 106 review process for 
the underlying tower and any associated environmental reviews has been 
completed. See 47 CFR part 1, app. B, section IV. The 2005 Wireless 
Facilities NPA, which became effective on March 7, 2005, establishes 
detailed procedures for reviewing the effects of communications towers 
on historic properties. 47 CFR part 1, app. C.
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    \1\ The Commission promulgated 47 CFR 1.1320 in an order 
released on November 17, 2017, and published in the Federal Register 
on December 14, 2017. See Accelerating Wireless Broadband Deployment 
by Removing Barriers to Infrastructure Investment, Report and Order, 
FCC 17-153, WT Docket No. 17-79; see also 82 FR 58749, December 14, 
2017. The rule will take effect on January 16, 2018.
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    3. As indicated above, there are a large number of towers that were 
built between the adoption of the 2001 Collocation NPA and the 
effective date of the 2005 Wireless Facilities NPA that either did not 
complete section 106 review or for which documentation of section 106 
review is unavailable. Although during this time the Commission's 
environmental rules, 47 CFR 1.1307(a)(4), required licensees and 
applicants to evaluate whether proposed facilities may affect historic 
properties, the text of the rule did not at that time require parties 
to perform this evaluation by following the ACHP's rules or any other 
particular process. Thus, some in the industry have argued that, prior 
to the 2005 Wireless Facilities NPA, it was unclear whether the 
Commission's rules required consultation with the relevant State 
Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) and/or Tribal Historic 
Preservation Officer (THPO), Tribal engagement, or any other 
procedures, and that this uncertainty was the reason why many towers 
built during this period did not go through the clearance process. 
Because the successful completion of the section 106 process is a 
predicate to the exclusion from review of collocations on towers 
completed after March 16, 2001, licensees cannot collocate on these 
Twilight Towers unless either each collocation completes section 106 
review or the underlying tower goes through an individual post-
construction review process.
    4. By this document, the Commission finally identifies a path 
forward for these Twilight Towers. In particular, the Commission seeks 
public comment on the attached draft Program Comment addressing the 
historic preservation review requirements for collocating 
communications equipment on Twilight Towers. If adopted by the ACHP, 
the draft Program Comment would establish procedures for permitting 
collocations on Twilight Towers.
    5. The ACHP's rules contain general procedures for considering 
effects on historic properties, but they also provide a means of 
establishing customized or streamlined alternative review procedures 
called ``program alternatives.'' See 36 CFR 800.14. Where the ACHP 
determines that a defined program or activity has minimal potential to 
affect or adversely affect historic properties, a program alternative 
may reduce the scope of or entirely eliminate the review process. One 
type of program alternative is the Program Comment. See 36 CFR 
800.14(e).
    6. The Commission states that, given the record, a Program Comment 
is a suitable vehicle for specifying how Twilight Towers can be 
appropriately made available to facilitate broadband deployment. 
Therefore, the Commission seeks comment on the attached draft 
consistent with the ACHP's process for developing and issuing a Program 
Comment. After considering input from all interested parties, the 
Commission will revise the draft Program Comment as appropriate, 
summarize the comments for the ACHP pursuant to 36 CFR 800.14(e)(1) and 
(f)(2), and formally request that the ACHP issue the Program Comment. 
Section 800.14(e)(5) of the ACHP's rules, 36 CFR 800.14(e)(5), 
specifies that it will then decide whether to issue the Program Comment 
within 45 days, and the Commission will publish notice of any Program 
Comment that the ACHP provides in the Federal Register.

[[Page 1217]]

    7. This draft Program Comment is informed by comments received in 
response to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in this proceeding, See 
Accelerating Wireless Broadband Deployment by Removing Barriers to 
Infrastructure Deployment, 32 FCC Rcd 3330 (2017) (Wireless 
Infrastructure NPRM); see also Proposed rule, 82 FR 21761, May 10, 
2017, as well as several years of engagement with affected parties, 
including Tribal Nations, Native Hawaiian Organizations (NHOs), SHPOs, 
and industry, by conducting government-to-government consultation with 
Tribal Nations, holding face-to-face meetings, sponsoring webinars and 
workshops, participating in conferences, and distributing written 
materials. In addition, since the release of the Wireless 
Infrastructure NPRM, the Commission has met with Tribal representatives 
numerous times with a focus on issues related to section 106 review, 
including meetings with the Chairman and commissioners, as well as 
conference calls and meetings between staff and SHPOs, Tribal 
representatives, and others.
    8. Commenters on the Wireless Infrastructure NPRM generally concur 
that the Commission should take affirmative steps to develop a regime 
governing the circumstances and procedures under which collocations 
will be permitted on Twilight Towers. In general, industry commenters 
assert that the Commission should grandfather, exempt, or exclude these 
towers from any historic preservation review, arguing that the towers 
are unlikely to have adverse effects on historic properties that have 
not been detected, that current ambiguities in the process are 
preventing widespread collocations, that there was no clear process for 
historic preservation review of proposed towers prior to 2005, and that 
many of the towers are no longer in the possession of their original 
owners. Other commenters, including SHPOs and Tribal Nations and their 
associations, advocate requiring a review process and mitigation of 
adverse effects before collocations on these towers can be permitted, 
contending that failure to perform section 106 review for these towers 
should not be forgiven retroactively, that collocations on existing 
towers can increase any adverse effects of the towers, that removal 
should be considered for towers with particularly egregious adverse 
effects, and that collocations that involve any ground disturbance must 
be subject to section 106 review before the Commission can allow 
collocations. The Commission seeks comment on the extent to which the 
draft Program Comment, as described below, effectively addresses these 
concerns.
    9. In the Wireless Infrastructure NPRM, the Commission stated that 
it does not anticipate taking any enforcement action or imposing any 
penalties based on good faith deployment during the Twilight Tower 
period. The Commission states that, in light of the additional comments 
it has received on this issue, and its recognition that the Commission 
did not provide specific guidance regarding the procedures for 
conducting historic preservation review, the Commission now makes clear 
that it will not take enforcement action relating to the construction 
of Twilight Towers based on the failure to follow any particular method 
of considering historic preservation issues or otherwise based on the 
good faith deployment of Twilight Towers. To the extent the owner of 
any Twilight Tower is shown to have intentionally adversely affected a 
historic property with intent to avoid the requirements of section 106, 
section 110(k) of the NHPA would continue to apply. See 54 U.S.C. 
306113.
    10. As established in the Wireless Infrastructure NPRM, this is a 
``permit-but-disclose'' proceeding in accordance with the Commission's 
ex parte rules, but with a limited modification in light of the 
Commission's trust relationship with Tribal Nations and NHOs. Ex parte 
presentations involving elected and appointed leaders and duly 
appointed representatives of federally-recognized Tribal Nations and 
NHOs are exempt from the disclosure requirements in permit-but-disclose 
proceedings, as well as the prohibitions during the Sunshine Agenda 
period. Nevertheless, Tribal Nations and NHOs, like other interested 
parties, should file comments, reply comments, and ex parte 
presentations in the record in order to put facts and arguments before 
the Commission in a manner such that they may be relied upon in the 
decision-making process.
    11. The Commission notes that some commenters urge the Commission 
to hold additional meetings with Tribal Nations regarding Twilight 
Towers before moving forward. The Commission welcomes additional 
meetings with Tribal Nations, Native Hawaiian Organizations, SHPOs, and 
industry during this comment period. The commission notes that it 
received ex parte comments filed between the public release of the 
draft text of this document on November 22, 2017, and its adoption by 
the Commission on December 14, 2017. To the extent that they have not 
been addressed here, these comments will be considered along with any 
comments filed in response to this document.
    12. The following is the text of the Draft Program Comment:

Draft Program Comment for the Federal Communications Commission's 
Review of Collocations on Certain Towers Constructed Without 
Documentation of Section 106 Review

    This Program Comment was issued by the Advisory Council on Historic 
Preservation (Advisory Council) on [date to be inserted later], 
pursuant to 36 CFR 800.14(e), and went into effect on that date. It 
provides the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) with 
an alternative way to comply with its responsibilities under section 
106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), 54 U.S.C. 306108, 
and its implementing regulations, 36 CFR part 800 (section 106), as 
supplemented by two nationwide programmatic agreements. In particular, 
this Program Comment excludes from section 106 review the collocation 
of wireless communications facilities on ``Twilight Towers'' (i.e., 
certain communications towers for which construction commenced after 
March 16, 2001, and before March 7, 2005), provided that these 
collocations satisfy the conditions specified below.

I. Background

    To fulfill its obligations under the NHPA, the FCC imposes certain 
compliance requirements on its applicants and licensees, but the 
ultimate responsibility for compliance with the NHPA remains with the 
FCC. In particular, section 1.1320 of the FCC's rules (47 CFR 1.1320) 
directs licensees and applicants, when determining whether a proposed 
action may affect historic properties, to comply with the Advisory 
Council's rules, 36 CFR part 800, or an applicable program alternative, 
including the Nationwide Programmatic Agreement for the Collocation of 
Wireless Antennas (Collocation NPA), 47 CFR part 1, app. B, and the 
Nationwide Programmatic Agreement for Review of Effects on Historic 
Properties for Certain Undertakings Approved by the Federal 
Communications Commission (Wireless Facilities NPA), 47 CFR part 1, 
app. C. These programmatic agreements, which were executed pursuant to 
section 800.14(b) of the Advisory Council's rules, substitute for the 
procedures that Federal agencies ordinarily must follow in performing 
their historic preservation reviews. See 36 CFR 800.14(b)(2).
    Section III of the Collocation NPA, adopted and effective on March 
16,

[[Page 1218]]

2001,\2\ provides that collocations on towers \3\ constructed on or 
before the effective date of that agreement are excluded from routine 
historic preservation review regardless of whether the underlying tower 
has undergone section 106 review provided that they satisfy the 
specified conditions. See 47 CFR part 1, app. B, section III. By 
contrast, section IV of the Collocation NPA provides that collocations 
on towers whose construction commenced after March 16, 2001, are 
excluded from historic preservation review only if the proposed 
collocation meets specified conditions and the section 106 review 
process for the underlying tower and any associated environmental 
reviews has been completed. See 47 CFR part 1, app. B, section IV. 
Through the Wireless Facilities NPA, which was incorporated into the 
FCC's rules effective on March 7, 2005, the FCC adopted and codified 
for the first time detailed procedures for reviewing the effects on 
historic properties of communications towers and those collocations 
that are subject to review. See 47 CFR part 1, app. C.
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    \2\ The Collocation NPA was amended in 2016 to establish further 
exclusions from review for small antennas. See Wireless 
Telecommunications Bureau Announces Execution of First Amendment to 
the Nationwide Programmatic Agreement for the Collocation of 
Wireless Antennas, Public Notice, 31 FCC Rcd 4617 (WTB 2016).
    \3\ The Collocation Agreement defines ``tower'' as ``any 
structure built for the sole or primary purpose of supporting FCC-
licensed antennas and their associated facilities.'' Collocation 
NPA, section I.E.
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    Prior to the adoption of the Wireless Facilities NPA, the FCC's 
rules did not require its licensees and applicants to follow the ACHP's 
rules or any other specified process when evaluating whether their 
proposed facilities might affect historic properties as mandated under 
section 106. Accordingly, a large number of towers constructed during 
the period between the effective dates of the two NPAs--that is, those 
for which construction began after March 16, 2001, and before March 7, 
2005--do not have documentation demonstrating compliance with the 
section 106 review process (an issue exacerbated by the limitations of 
State Historic Preservation Officers' (SHPOs') record-keeping as well 
as subsequent changes in tower ownership). These towers are referred to 
as ``Twilight Towers.'' And because collocation on towers whose 
construction began after the effective date of the Collocation NPA is 
excluded from section 106 review only if the tower was itself subject 
to review, licensees or applicants cannot currently collocate on these 
Twilight Towers unless each collocation completes a separate section 
106 review or the underlying tower completes an individual post-
construction review process.
    To develop a Program Comment, the rules of the Advisory Council 
require Federal agencies to arrange for public participation 
appropriate to the subject matter and the scope of the category of 
covered undertakings and in accordance with the standards set forth in 
the Advisory Council's rules. See 36 CFR 800.14(e)(2). Over the past 
several years, the FCC has engaged with Tribal Nations, Native Hawaiian 
Organizations (NHOs), SHPOs, and industry, by holding many face-to-face 
meetings, sponsoring webinars and workshops, participating in 
conferences, and distributing written materials. In 2014, FCC staff 
began consultations with relevant parties to discuss possible solutions 
to make Twilight Towers broadly available for collocations in a manner 
consistent with the requirements of and policies underlying the NHPA. 
In October 2015, the FCC circulated a discussion document to SHPOs, 
Tribal Nations, NHOs and industry associations, and in January 2016, 
the FCC facilitated a summit in Isleta Pueblo, New Mexico, devoted to 
discussion of Twilight Towers. Industry, Tribal, and SHPO 
representatives participated in this meeting. Following the meeting, 
the FCC sought written comments from the summit participants. In August 
2016, the FCC circulated to industry associations, SHPOs, and Tribal/
NHO contacts a discussion draft term sheet developed as a result of 
those consultations. Follow up calls with Tribal and SHPO 
representatives and other interested parties, including the Advisory 
Council staff, were held throughout 2016.
    Further, in the Wireless Infrastructure NPRM, adopted in April 
2017, the FCC sought public comment on how to resolve remaining section 
106 issues associated with collocation on Twilight Towers, and it 
received numerous comments on these issues. See Accelerating Wireless 
Broadband Deployment by Removing Barriers to Infrastructure Deployment, 
32 FCC Rcd 3330, 3358-3361, paras. 78-86 (2017) (Wireless 
Infrastructure NPRM); see also Proposed Rule, 82 FR 21761, May 10, 
2017. Finally, the FCC facilitated consultations with Tribal 
representatives on the Rosebud Sioux Reservation on June 8, 2017; at 
the annual meeting of the National Conference of American Indians on 
June 14, 2017; on the Navajo Reservation on August 22, 2017; and in 
Washington, DC on October 4, 2017. FCC staff have also continued to 
meet in person and by phone with SHPOs and Tribal representatives since 
release of the Wireless Infrastructure NPRM.

II. Need for Program Comment To Address Twilight Towers

    This Program Comment adopts an exclusion under section 106 for 
certain collocations on Twilight Towers. This exclusion is warranted 
due to a number of unique factors associated with towers whose 
construction commenced during the period from March 17, 2001 through 
March 6, 2005, including: (1) The limited reliability of section 106 
review documentation from that time period; (2) the lack of specificity 
in the FCC's rules regarding section 106 review at the time the 
Twilight Towers were constructed; (3) the limited likelihood that 
section 106 review could identify adverse effects from these towers 
that are not yet known after 12 years or more; and (4) the significant 
public interest in making these towers readily available for 
collocation.
    Although during the time between the Collocation NPA and the 
Wireless Facilities NPA the FCC's environmental rules required 
licensees and applicants to evaluate whether proposed facilities may 
affect historic properties, the rules did not then state that parties 
must perform this evaluation by following the Advisory Council's rules 
or any other specific process. Thus, prior to the effective date of the 
Wireless Facilities NPA, it was unclear whether the FCC's rules 
required consultation with the relevant SHPO and/or Tribal Historic 
Preservation Officer (THPO), engagement with Tribal Nations to identify 
historic properties off Tribal land (including government-to-government 
consultation), or any other particular procedures, and this lack of 
clarity may explain why many towers built during this period apparently 
did not obtain required clearance.
    Routine section 106 review of Twilight Towers is likely to provide 
little benefit in preserving historic properties. Twilight Towers have 
been in place for 12 to 16 years. In the vast majority of cases, no 
adverse effects from these towers have been brought to the FCC's 
attention. While the lack of objections filed with the FCC does not 
guarantee that none of the Twilight Towers have caused, or continue to 
cause, adverse effects on historic properties, such cases are likely 
few given the passage of time and absence of objections. In addition, 
any effects on historic properties that may have occurred during 
construction may be difficult to demonstrate so many years after the 
fact.
    Further, an exclusion for collocations on Twilight Towers under the

[[Page 1219]]

conditions specified below is in the public interest. The exclusion 
will rapidly make available thousands of existing towers \4\ to support 
wireless broadband deployment, including the FirstNet public safety 
broadband network,\5\ without causing adverse impacts. Importantly, 
facilitating collocations on existing towers will reduce the need for 
new towers, thereby avoiding the impact of new tower construction on 
the environment and on locations with historical and cultural 
significance.
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    \4\ The members of two major industry associations have 
collectively reported owning 4,298 towers that could be classified 
as Twilight Towers. Letter from Brian Josef, Assistant Vice 
President, Regulatory Affairs, CTIA--The Wireless Association, and 
D. Zachary Champ, Assistant Vice President, Regulatory Affairs, 
PCIA--The Wireless Infrastructure Association, to Chad Breckinridge 
Associate Chief, WTB, FCC (dated June 4, 2015). There may be more 
Twilight Towers owned by entities that are not members of these 
associations or that did not participate in their survey.
    \5\ See 47 U.S.C. 1426(c)(3) (providing that ``the First 
Responder Network Authority shall enter into agreements to utilize, 
to the maximum extent economically desirable, existing (A) 
commercial or other communications infrastructure; and (B) Federal, 
state, tribal, or local infrastructure'').
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    A Program Comment is necessary to facilitate collocation on 
Twilight Towers. While the Wireless Facilities NPA contemplates a 
process for review of proposed collocations on towers that were built 
without required review, review of each collocation only satisfies the 
section 106 requirement for that collocation; it does not clear the 
tower for future collocations. Given the large number of Twilight 
Towers and potential collocations that could be installed on those 
towers, the existing review process imposes burdens on all participants 
that, in the context of the other considerations discussed herein, are 
not commensurate with its historic preservation benefits.
    Accordingly, an approach different from the standard section 106 
review process is warranted to make Twilight Towers readily available 
for collocations. Given the significant public benefits to be realized 
by making these facilities available for collocation, together with the 
other considerations discussed above, requiring each licensee or 
applicant to review each tower individually before collocating is not 
an effective or efficient means for the FCC to comply with its 
obligations under section 106. This Program Comment is responsive to 
the unusual set of factors surrounding the use of these Twilight Towers 
for the limited purpose of collocation.

III. Exemption From Duplicate Review of Effects of Collocations by 
Other Federal Agencies

    Other Federal agencies are not required to comply with section 106 
with regard to the effects of collocations on Twilight Towers that are 
excluded from review under this Program Comment. When other Federal 
agencies have broader undertakings that include collocations on 
Twilight Towers, they must, however, comply with section 106 in 
accordance with the process set forth at 36 CFR 800.3 through 800.7, or 
800.8(c), or another applicable program alternative under 36 CFR 800.14 
for aspects of the undertaking not involving the collocations.

IV. Exclusion for Twilight Towers

    In August 2000, the Advisory Council established a 
Telecommunications Working Group to provide a forum for the FCC, 
industry representatives, SHPOs, THPOs, other Tribal representatives, 
and the Advisory Council to discuss improved coordination of section 
106 compliance regarding wireless communications facilities affecting 
historic properties. The Advisory Council and the Working Group 
developed the Collocation NPA, which recognized that the effects on 
historic properties of collocations on buildings, towers, and other 
structures are likely to be minimal and not adverse provided that 
certain premises and procedures are taken into consideration, including 
limitations on the extent of new construction and excavation. Further, 
the Collocation NPA stated that its terms should be ``interpreted and 
implemented wherever possible in ways that encourage collocation.'' 
Consistent with that directive, this Program Comment serves to resolve 
a long standing impediment to collocation on Twilight Towers within the 
broader protective framework established by the Collocation NPA.
    We intend the exclusion here to mirror the exclusion in the 
Collocation NPA that applies to collocations on towers for which 
construction commenced on or before March 16, 2001. And so, pursuant to 
the exclusion adopted here, an antenna may be mounted on an existing 
tower for which construction commenced between March 16, 2001, and 
March 7, 2005, without such collocation being reviewed through the 
section 106 process set forth in the Wireless Facilities NPA, unless:
    1. The mounting of the proposed antenna on the tower would increase 
the existing height of the tower by more than 10%, or by the height of 
one additional antenna array with separation from the nearest existing 
antenna not to exceed twenty feet, whichever is greater, except that 
the mounting of the proposed antenna may exceed the size limits set 
forth in this paragraph if necessary to avoid interference with 
existing antennas; or
    2. The mounting of the proposed antenna would involve the 
installation of more than the standard number of new equipment cabinets 
for the technology involved, not to exceed four, or more than one new 
equipment shelter; or
    3. The mounting of the proposed antenna would involve adding an 
appurtenance to the body of the tower that would protrude from the edge 
of the tower more than twenty feet or more than the width of the tower 
structure at the level of the appurtenance, whichever is greater, 
except that the mounting of the proposed antenna may exceed the size 
limits set forth in this paragraph if necessary to shelter the antenna 
from inclement weather or to connect the antenna to the tower via 
cable; or
    4. The mounting of the proposed antenna would involve excavation 
outside the current tower site, defined as the current boundaries of 
the leased or owned property surrounding the tower and any access or 
utility easements currently related to the site; or
    5. The tower has been determined by the FCC to have an adverse 
effect on one or more historic properties, where such effect has not 
been avoided or mitigated through a conditional no adverse effect 
determination, a Memorandum of Agreement, a programmatic agreement, or 
a finding of compliance with section 106 and the Wireless Facilities 
NPA; or
    6. The tower is the subject of a pending environmental review or 
related proceeding before the FCC involving compliance with section 106 
of the NHPA; or
    7. The collocation licensee or the owner of the tower has received 
written or electronic notification that the FCC is in receipt of a 
complaint from a member of the public, a Tribal Nation or NHO, a SHPO, 
or the Advisory Council that the collocation has an adverse effect on 
one or more historic properties. Any such complaint must be in writing 
and supported by substantial evidence describing how the effect from 
the collocation is adverse to the attributes that qualify any affected 
historic property for eligibility or potential eligibility for the 
National Register.
    In the event that a proposed collocation on a Twilight Tower does 
not meet the conditions specified above

[[Page 1220]]

for this exclusion, the collocation must undergo historic preservation 
review as required by the rules of the Advisory Council as revised or 
supplemented by the Wireless Facilities NPA and the Collocation NPA. As 
provided in the Wireless Facilities NPA, such review is limited to 
effects from the collocation and shall not include consideration of 
effects on historic properties from the underlying tower.

V. Additional Provisions Relating to Tribal Nations

    This Program Comment does not apply on Tribal lands unless the 
relevant Tribal Nation has provided the FCC with a written notice 
agreeing to its application on Tribal lands.
    A Tribal Nation may request direct government-to-government 
consultation with the FCC at any time with respect to a Twilight Tower 
or any collocation thereon. The FCC will respond to any such request in 
a manner consistent with its responsibility toward Tribal Nations. When 
indicated by the circumstances, and if the request is in writing and 
supported by substantial evidence as described in paragraph IV.7., the 
FCC shall treat a request for consultation as a complaint against the 
proposed collocation and shall notify the tower owner accordingly.
    A Tribal Nation may provide confidential supporting evidence or 
other relevant information relating to a historic property of religious 
or cultural significance. The FCC shall protect all confidential 
information consistent with section IV.I of the Wireless Facilities 
NPA.

VI. Administrative Provisions

    A. Definitions. Unless otherwise defined in this Program Comment, 
the terms used here shall have the meanings ascribed to them under 36 
CFR part 800 as modified or supplemented by the Collocation NPA or 
Wireless Facilities NPA.
    B. Duration. This Program Comment shall remain in force unless 
terminated or otherwise superseded by a comprehensive Programmatic 
Agreement or the Advisory Council provides written notice of its 
intention to withdraw the Program Comment pursuant to section VI.B.1, 
below, or the FCC provides written notice of its intention not to 
continue to utilize this Program Comment pursuant to section VI.B.2, 
below.
    1. If the Advisory Council determines that the consideration of 
historic properties is not being carried out in a manner consistent 
with section 106, the Advisory Council may withdraw this Program 
Comment after consulting with the FCC, the National Conference on State 
Historic Preservation Officers, and the National Association of Tribal 
Historic Preservation Officers, and thereafter providing them with 
written notice of the withdrawal.
    2. In the event the FCC determines that this Program Comment is not 
operating as intended, or is no longer necessary, the FCC, after 
consultation with the parties identified in section VI.B.1 above, shall 
send written notice to the Advisory Council of its intent to withdraw.
    C. Periodic Meetings. Throughout the duration of this Program 
Comment, the Advisory Council and the FCC shall meet annually on or 
about the anniversary of the effective date of this Program Comment. 
The FCC and the Advisory Council will discuss the effectiveness of this 
Program Comment, including any issues related to improper 
implementation, and will discuss any potential amendments that would 
improve its effectiveness.
    Complaints Regarding Implementation of This Program Comment. 
Members of the public may refer any complaints regarding the 
implementation of this Program Comment to the FCC. The FCC will handle 
those complaints consistent with section XI of the Wireless Facilities 
NPA.
    13. Pursuant to sections 1.415 and 1.419 of the Commission's rules, 
47 CFR 1.415, 1.419, interested parties may file comments and reply 
comments on or before the dates indicated on the first page of this 
document. Comments may be filed using the Commission's Electronic 
Comment Filing System (ECFS). Electronic Filing of Documents in 
Rulemaking Proceedings, 63 FR 24121 (1998).
     Electronic Filers: Comments may be filed electronically 
using the internet by accessing the ECFS: http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/.
     Paper Filers: Parties who choose to file by paper must 
file an original and one copy of each filing. If more than one docket 
or rulemaking number appears in the caption of this proceeding, filers 
must submit two additional copies for each additional docket or 
rulemaking number.
    Filings can be sent by hand or messenger delivery, by commercial 
overnight courier, or by first-class or overnight U.S. Postal Service 
mail. All filings must be addressed to the Commission's Secretary, 
Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission.
     All hand-delivered or messenger-delivered paper filings 
for the Commission's Secretary must be delivered to FCC Headquarters at 
445 12th St. SW, Room TW-A325, Washington, DC 20554. The filing hours 
are 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. All hand deliveries must be held together 
with rubber bands or fasteners. Any envelopes and boxes must be 
disposed of before entering the building.
     Commercial overnight mail (other than U.S. Postal Service 
Express Mail and Priority Mail) must be sent to 9050 Junction Drive, 
Annapolis Junction, Annapolis, MD 20701.
     U.S. Postal Service first-class, Express, and Priority 
mail must be addressed to 445 12th Street SW, Washington, DC 20554.
    People with Disabilities. To request materials in accessible 
formats for people with disabilities (Braille, large print, electronic 
files, audio format), send an email to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the FCC's 
Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-0530 (voice), 
(202) 418-0432 (TTY).
    14. This document does not contain proposed information collection 
requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 
104-13. In addition, therefore, it does not contain any proposed 
information collection burden for small business concerns with fewer 
than 25 employees, pursuant to the Small Business Paperwork Relief Act 
of 2002, Public Law 107-198, see 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(4).

Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene H. Dortch,
Secretary, Office of the Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2018-00292 Filed 1-9-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P



                                                                          Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 7 / Wednesday, January 10, 2018 / Proposed Rules                                                  1215

                                                    for ammonia as a precursor to PM2.5 in                  action because SIP approvals are                         Dated: December 20, 2017.
                                                    PM2.5 nonattainment areas. Accordingly,                 exempted under Executive Order 12866;                  Alexis Strauss,
                                                    as authorized by section 110(k)(4) of the                  • Does not impose an information                    Acting Regional Administrator, Region IX.
                                                    Act, the EPA proposes to conditionally                  collection burden under the provisions                 [FR Doc. 2018–00036 Filed 1–9–18; 8:45 am]
                                                    approve the NA–NSR component of                         of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44                     BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
                                                    ADEQ’s April 2017 NSR submittal                         U.S.C. 3501 et seq.);
                                                    solely with respect to ammonia as a
                                                    PM2.5 precursor. While we cannot grant                     • Is certified as not having a
                                                    full approval of the submittal at this                  significant economic impact on a                       FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS
                                                    time with respect to this issue, ADEQ                   substantial number of small entities                   COMMISSION
                                                    has satisfactorily committed to address                 under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5
                                                                                                            U.S.C. 601 et seq.);                                   47 CFR Part 1
                                                    this deficiency by providing the EPA
                                                    with a SIP submittal by March 31, 2019,                    • Does not contain any unfunded                     [WT Docket No. 17–79; FCC 17–165]
                                                    or within one year from the date on                     mandate or significantly or uniquely
                                                    which the EPA takes final action on the                 affect small governments, as described                 Comment Sought on Draft Program
                                                    April 2017 NSR submittal, whichever is                  in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act                    Comment for the FCC’s Review of
                                                    earlier.                                                of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–4);                               Collocations on Certain Towers
                                                      As noted previously, on June 1, 2017,                                                                        Constructed Without Documentation of
                                                    we proposed full approval of all other                     • Does not have Federalism                          Section 106 Review
                                                    aspects of ADEQ’s April 2017 NSR                        implications as specified in Executive
                                                                                                            Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10,                   AGENCY:  Federal Communications
                                                    submittal, including but not limited to                                                                        Commission.
                                                    revisions to ADEQ’s NA–NSR program                      1999);
                                                    and the regulation of PM2.5 precursors                     • Is not an economically significant                ACTION: Proposed rule.
                                                    other than ammonia in accordance with                   regulatory action based on health or                   SUMMARY:    In this document, the Federal
                                                    section 189(e) of the Act. Today’s action               safety risks subject to Executive Order                Communications Commission (FCC or
                                                    does not modify the findings we made                    13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997);                   Commission) seeks comment on a draft
                                                    in that proposed action, and through                       • Is not a significant regulatory action            Program Comment that would exclude
                                                    this supplemental proposal, we are not                  subject to Executive Order 13211 (66 FR                from historic preservation review the
                                                    reopening or otherwise seeking public                   28355, May 22, 2001);                                  collocation of wireless communications
                                                    comment on any other issues or findings
                                                    in that June 1, 2017 proposed action.                      • Is not subject to requirements of                 facilities on towers that either did not
                                                                                                            Section 12(d) of the National                          complete such review or cannot be
                                                      We will accept comments from the                                                                             documented to have completed such
                                                    public on this supplemental proposal                    Technology Transfer and Advancement
                                                                                                            Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 note) because               review.
                                                    until February 9, 2018.
                                                                                                            application of those requirements would                DATES:  Comments are due on February
                                                    IV. Incorporation by Reference                          be inconsistent with the Clean Air Act;                9, 2018; reply comments are due on
                                                      This action supplements our prior                     and                                                    February 26, 2018.
                                                    proposed rule where the EPA has                            • Does not provide the EPA with the                 ADDRESSES: You may submit comments,
                                                    proposed to include in a final EPA rule                 discretionary authority to address, as                 identified by WT Docket No. 17–79, by
                                                    regulatory text that includes                           appropriate, disproportionate human                    any of the following methods:
                                                    incorporation by reference. This action                 health or environmental effects, using                    • Federal Communications
                                                    does not propose additional material for                practicable and legally permissible                    Commission’s website: http://
                                                    incorporation by reference.                             methods, under Executive Order 12898                   apps.fcc.gov/ecfs//. Follow the
                                                    V. Statutory and Executive Order                        (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).                       instructions for submitting comments.
                                                    Reviews                                                                                                           • People with Disabilities: Contact the
                                                                                                            In addition, the SIP is not approved to                FCC to request reasonable
                                                      Under the CAA, the EPA                                apply on any Indian reservation land or                accommodations (accessible format
                                                    Administrator is required to approve a                  in any other area where the EPA or an                  documents, sign language interpreters,
                                                    SIP submission that complies with the                   Indian tribe has demonstrated that a                   CART, etc.) by email: FCC504@fcc.gov
                                                    provisions of the Act and applicable                    tribe has jurisdiction. In those areas of              or phone: 202–418–0530 or TTY: 888–
                                                    Federal regulations. 42 U.S.C. 7410(k);                 Indian country, the rule does not have                 835–5322.
                                                    40 CFR 52.02(a). Thus, in reviewing SIP                 tribal implications and will not impose                   For detailed instructions for
                                                    submissions, the EPA’s role is to                       substantial direct costs on tribal                     submitting comments and additional
                                                    approve state choices, provided that                    governments or preempt tribal law as                   information on the rulemaking process,
                                                    they meet the criteria of the Act.                      specified by Executive Order 13175 (65                 see the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
                                                    Accordingly, this action merely                         FR 67249, November 9, 2000).                           section of this document.
                                                    approves state law as meeting Federal
                                                    requirements and does not impose                        List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52                     FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
                                                    additional requirements beyond those                                                                           further information on this proceeding,
                                                                                                              Environmental protection,                            contact Daniel J. Margolis, Competition
                                                    imposed by state law. For that reason,                  Administrative practice and procedure,                 and Infrastructure Policy Division,
jstallworth on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                    this action:
                                                                                                            Air pollution control, Carbon monoxide,                Wireless Telecommunications Bureau,
                                                      • Is not a significant regulatory action
                                                                                                            Incorporation by reference,                            at daniel.margolis@fcc.gov or (202) 418–
                                                    subject to review by the Office of
                                                                                                            Intergovernmental relations, Lead,                     1377.
                                                    Management and Budget under
                                                                                                            Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Particulate                   SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a
                                                    Executive Orders 12866 (58 FR 51735,
                                                                                                            matter, Reporting and recordkeeping                    summary of the Commission’s
                                                    October 4, 1993) and 13563 (76 FR 3821,
                                                                                                            requirements, Sulfur dioxide, Volatile                 document, FCC 17–165, adopted and
                                                    January 21, 2011);
                                                      • Is not an Executive Order 13771 (82                 organic compounds.                                     released on December 14, 2017. The full
                                                    FR 9339, February 3, 2017) regulatory                     Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.                    text of this document is available for


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                                                    1216                  Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 7 / Wednesday, January 10, 2018 / Proposed Rules

                                                    public inspection and copying during                    Commission’s rules, 47 CFR                             and/or Tribal Historic Preservation
                                                    regular business hours in the FCC                       1.1307(a)(4), 1.1320(a), direct licensees              Officer (THPO), Tribal engagement, or
                                                    Reference Center, Federal                               and applicants, when determining                       any other procedures, and that this
                                                    Communications Commission, 445 12th                     whether a proposed action may affect                   uncertainty was the reason why many
                                                    Street SW, Room CY–A257,                                historic properties, to follow the                     towers built during this period did not
                                                    Washington, DC 20554. The complete                      procedures in the rules of the Advisory                go through the clearance process.
                                                    text of this document will also be                      Council on Historic Preservation                       Because the successful completion of
                                                    available via ECFS at https://                          (ACHP) or an applicable program                        the section 106 process is a predicate to
                                                    www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-seeks-                         alternative, including the Nationwide                  the exclusion from review of
                                                    comment-plan-ease-collocations-                         Programmatic Agreement for the                         collocations on towers completed after
                                                    twilight-towers-0. Documents will be                    Collocation of Wireless Antennas (2001                 March 16, 2001, licensees cannot
                                                    available electronically in ASCII,                      Collocation NPA), 47 CFR part 1, app.                  collocate on these Twilight Towers
                                                    Microsoft Word, and/or Adobe Acrobat.                   B, and the Nationwide Programmatic                     unless either each collocation completes
                                                    Alternative formats are available for                   Agreement for Review of Effects on                     section 106 review or the underlying
                                                    people with disabilities (Braille, large                Historic Properties for Certain                        tower goes through an individual post-
                                                    print, electronic files, audio format), by              Undertakings Approved by the Federal                   construction review process.
                                                    sending an Email to fcc504@fcc.gov or                   Communications Commission (2005                           4. By this document, the Commission
                                                    calling the Commission’s Consumer and                   Wireless Facilities NPA), 47 CFR part 1,               finally identifies a path forward for
                                                    Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202)                    app. C. Under section III of the 2001                  these Twilight Towers. In particular, the
                                                    418–0530 (voice), (202) 418–0432                        Collocation NPA, collocations on towers                Commission seeks public comment on
                                                    (TTY).                                                  whose construction commenced on or                     the attached draft Program Comment
                                                                                                            before March 16, 2001, are generally                   addressing the historic preservation
                                                    Synopsis                                                excluded from routine historic                         review requirements for collocating
                                                       1. In this document, the Commission                  preservation review, regardless of                     communications equipment on Twilight
                                                    takes another step towards promoting                    whether the underlying tower has                       Towers. If adopted by the ACHP, the
                                                    the deployment of wireless                              undergone section 106 review. See 47                   draft Program Comment would establish
                                                                                                            CFR part 1, app. B, section III. By                    procedures for permitting collocations
                                                    infrastructure. In particular, the
                                                                                                            contrast, section IV of the 2001                       on Twilight Towers.
                                                    Commission sets out a definitive
                                                                                                            Collocation NPA provides that                             5. The ACHP’s rules contain general
                                                    solution for so-called ‘‘Twilight
                                                                                                            collocations on towers whose                           procedures for considering effects on
                                                    Towers,’’ which, if adopted, would
                                                                                                            construction commenced on or after                     historic properties, but they also
                                                    create a new exclusion from routine
                                                                                                            March 16, 2001, are excluded from                      provide a means of establishing
                                                    historic preservation review under
                                                                                                            historic preservation review only if the
                                                    section 106 of the National Historic                                                                           customized or streamlined alternative
                                                                                                            Section 106 review process for the
                                                    Preservation Act (NHPA), 54 U.S.C.                                                                             review procedures called ‘‘program
                                                                                                            underlying tower and any associated
                                                    306108, and its implementing                                                                                   alternatives.’’ See 36 CFR 800.14. Where
                                                                                                            environmental reviews has been
                                                    regulations, 36 CFR part 800. This                                                                             the ACHP determines that a defined
                                                                                                            completed. See 47 CFR part 1, app. B,
                                                    action would open up potentially                                                                               program or activity has minimal
                                                                                                            section IV. The 2005 Wireless Facilities
                                                    thousands of existing towers for                                                                               potential to affect or adversely affect
                                                                                                            NPA, which became effective on March
                                                    collocations without the need for either                                                                       historic properties, a program
                                                                                                            7, 2005, establishes detailed procedures
                                                    the collocation or the underlying tower                                                                        alternative may reduce the scope of or
                                                                                                            for reviewing the effects of
                                                    to complete an individual historic                                                                             entirely eliminate the review process.
                                                                                                            communications towers on historic
                                                    review, thus ensuring that these towers                 properties. 47 CFR part 1, app. C.                     One type of program alternative is the
                                                    are generally treated the same as older                    3. As indicated above, there are a                  Program Comment. See 36 CFR
                                                    towers that are already excluded from                   large number of towers that were built                 800.14(e).
                                                    the historic review process. Facilitating               between the adoption of the 2001                          6. The Commission states that, given
                                                    collocations on these towers will make                  Collocation NPA and the effective date                 the record, a Program Comment is a
                                                    additional infrastructure available for                 of the 2005 Wireless Facilities NPA that               suitable vehicle for specifying how
                                                    wireless deployments, reduce the need                   either did not complete section 106                    Twilight Towers can be appropriately
                                                    for new towers, and decrease the need                   review or for which documentation of                   made available to facilitate broadband
                                                    for new construction. After more than a                 section 106 review is unavailable.                     deployment. Therefore, the Commission
                                                    decade of debate over the best approach                 Although during this time the                          seeks comment on the attached draft
                                                    for Twilight Towers, the Commission                     Commission’s environmental rules, 47                   consistent with the ACHP’s process for
                                                    welcomes the chance to advance this                     CFR 1.1307(a)(4), required licensees and               developing and issuing a Program
                                                    concrete path forward.                                  applicants to evaluate whether proposed                Comment. After considering input from
                                                       2. Twilight Towers are towers whose                  facilities may affect historic properties,             all interested parties, the Commission
                                                    construction commenced between                          the text of the rule did not at that time              will revise the draft Program Comment
                                                    March 16, 2001, and March 7, 2005, that                 require parties to perform this                        as appropriate, summarize the
                                                    either did not complete section 106                     evaluation by following the ACHP’s                     comments for the ACHP pursuant to 36
                                                    review or cannot be documented to have                  rules or any other particular process.                 CFR 800.14(e)(1) and (f)(2), and formally
                                                                                                                                                                   request that the ACHP issue the Program
jstallworth on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                    completed such review. Sections                         Thus, some in the industry have argued
                                                    1.1307(a)(4) and 1.1320(a) 1 of the                     that, prior to the 2005 Wireless                       Comment. Section 800.14(e)(5) of the
                                                                                                            Facilities NPA, it was unclear whether                 ACHP’s rules, 36 CFR 800.14(e)(5),
                                                      1 The Commission promulgated 47 CFR 1.1320 in
                                                                                                            the Commission’s rules required                        specifies that it will then decide
                                                    an order released on November 17, 2017, and             consultation with the relevant State                   whether to issue the Program Comment
                                                    published in the Federal Register on December 14,                                                              within 45 days, and the Commission
                                                    2017. See Accelerating Wireless Broadband               Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO)
                                                    Deployment by Removing Barriers to Infrastructure
                                                                                                                                                                   will publish notice of any Program
                                                    Investment, Report and Order, FCC 17–153, WT            14, 2017. The rule will take effect on January 16,     Comment that the ACHP provides in the
                                                    Docket No. 17–79; see also 82 FR 58749, December        2018.                                                  Federal Register.


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                                                                          Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 7 / Wednesday, January 10, 2018 / Proposed Rules                                             1217

                                                       7. This draft Program Comment is                     seeks comment on the extent to which                   these comments will be considered
                                                    informed by comments received in                        the draft Program Comment, as                          along with any comments filed in
                                                    response to the Notice of Proposed                      described below, effectively addresses                 response to this document.
                                                    Rulemaking in this proceeding, See                      these concerns.                                          12. The following is the text of the
                                                    Accelerating Wireless Broadband                            9. In the Wireless Infrastructure                   Draft Program Comment:
                                                    Deployment by Removing Barriers to                      NPRM, the Commission stated that it
                                                                                                                                                                   Draft Program Comment for the Federal
                                                    Infrastructure Deployment, 32 FCC Rcd                   does not anticipate taking any
                                                                                                                                                                   Communications Commission’s Review
                                                    3330 (2017) (Wireless Infrastructure                    enforcement action or imposing any
                                                                                                                                                                   of Collocations on Certain Towers
                                                    NPRM); see also Proposed rule, 82 FR                    penalties based on good faith
                                                                                                                                                                   Constructed Without Documentation of
                                                    21761, May 10, 2017, as well as several                 deployment during the Twilight Tower
                                                                                                                                                                   Section 106 Review
                                                    years of engagement with affected                       period. The Commission states that, in
                                                    parties, including Tribal Nations, Native               light of the additional comments it has                  This Program Comment was issued by
                                                    Hawaiian Organizations (NHOs),                          received on this issue, and its                        the Advisory Council on Historic
                                                    SHPOs, and industry, by conducting                      recognition that the Commission did not                Preservation (Advisory Council) on
                                                    government-to-government consultation                   provide specific guidance regarding the                [date to be inserted later], pursuant to 36
                                                    with Tribal Nations, holding face-to-face               procedures for conducting historic                     CFR 800.14(e), and went into effect on
                                                    meetings, sponsoring webinars and                       preservation review, the Commission                    that date. It provides the Federal
                                                    workshops, participating in conferences,                now makes clear that it will not take                  Communications Commission (FCC or
                                                    and distributing written materials. In                  enforcement action relating to the                     Commission) with an alternative way to
                                                    addition, since the release of the                      construction of Twilight Towers based                  comply with its responsibilities under
                                                    Wireless Infrastructure NPRM, the                       on the failure to follow any particular                section 106 of the National Historic
                                                                                                            method of considering historic                         Preservation Act (NHPA), 54 U.S.C.
                                                    Commission has met with Tribal
                                                                                                            preservation issues or otherwise based                 306108, and its implementing
                                                    representatives numerous times with a
                                                                                                            on the good faith deployment of                        regulations, 36 CFR part 800 (section
                                                    focus on issues related to section 106
                                                                                                            Twilight Towers. To the extent the                     106), as supplemented by two
                                                    review, including meetings with the
                                                                                                            owner of any Twilight Tower is shown                   nationwide programmatic agreements.
                                                    Chairman and commissioners, as well as
                                                                                                            to have intentionally adversely affected               In particular, this Program Comment
                                                    conference calls and meetings between
                                                                                                            a historic property with intent to avoid               excludes from section 106 review the
                                                    staff and SHPOs, Tribal representatives,
                                                                                                            the requirements of section 106, section               collocation of wireless communications
                                                    and others.
                                                                                                            110(k) of the NHPA would continue to                   facilities on ‘‘Twilight Towers’’ (i.e.,
                                                       8. Commenters on the Wireless                        apply. See 54 U.S.C. 306113.                           certain communications towers for
                                                    Infrastructure NPRM generally concur                       10. As established in the Wireless                  which construction commenced after
                                                    that the Commission should take                         Infrastructure NPRM, this is a ‘‘permit-               March 16, 2001, and before March 7,
                                                    affirmative steps to develop a regime                   but-disclose’’ proceeding in accordance                2005), provided that these collocations
                                                    governing the circumstances and                         with the Commission’s ex parte rules,                  satisfy the conditions specified below.
                                                    procedures under which collocations                     but with a limited modification in light
                                                    will be permitted on Twilight Towers.                                                                          I. Background
                                                                                                            of the Commission’s trust relationship
                                                    In general, industry commenters assert                  with Tribal Nations and NHOs. Ex parte                    To fulfill its obligations under the
                                                    that the Commission should                              presentations involving elected and                    NHPA, the FCC imposes certain
                                                    grandfather, exempt, or exclude these                   appointed leaders and duly appointed                   compliance requirements on its
                                                    towers from any historic preservation                   representatives of federally-recognized                applicants and licensees, but the
                                                    review, arguing that the towers are                     Tribal Nations and NHOs are exempt                     ultimate responsibility for compliance
                                                    unlikely to have adverse effects on                     from the disclosure requirements in                    with the NHPA remains with the FCC.
                                                    historic properties that have not been                  permit-but-disclose proceedings, as well               In particular, section 1.1320 of the
                                                    detected, that current ambiguities in the               as the prohibitions during the Sunshine                FCC’s rules (47 CFR 1.1320) directs
                                                    process are preventing widespread                       Agenda period. Nevertheless, Tribal                    licensees and applicants, when
                                                    collocations, that there was no clear                   Nations and NHOs, like other interested                determining whether a proposed action
                                                    process for historic preservation review                parties, should file comments, reply                   may affect historic properties, to comply
                                                    of proposed towers prior to 2005, and                   comments, and ex parte presentations in                with the Advisory Council’s rules, 36
                                                    that many of the towers are no longer in                the record in order to put facts and                   CFR part 800, or an applicable program
                                                    the possession of their original owners.                arguments before the Commission in a                   alternative, including the Nationwide
                                                    Other commenters, including SHPOs                       manner such that they may be relied                    Programmatic Agreement for the
                                                    and Tribal Nations and their                            upon in the decision-making process.                   Collocation of Wireless Antennas
                                                    associations, advocate requiring a                         11. The Commission notes that some                  (Collocation NPA), 47 CFR part 1, app.
                                                    review process and mitigation of                        commenters urge the Commission to                      B, and the Nationwide Programmatic
                                                    adverse effects before collocations on                  hold additional meetings with Tribal                   Agreement for Review of Effects on
                                                    these towers can be permitted,                          Nations regarding Twilight Towers                      Historic Properties for Certain
                                                    contending that failure to perform                      before moving forward. The                             Undertakings Approved by the Federal
                                                    section 106 review for these towers                     Commission welcomes additional                         Communications Commission (Wireless
                                                    should not be forgiven retroactively,                   meetings with Tribal Nations, Native                   Facilities NPA), 47 CFR part 1, app. C.
                                                    that collocations on existing towers can                Hawaiian Organizations, SHPOs, and                     These programmatic agreements, which
jstallworth on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                    increase any adverse effects of the                     industry during this comment period.                   were executed pursuant to section
                                                    towers, that removal should be                          The commission notes that it received                  800.14(b) of the Advisory Council’s
                                                    considered for towers with particularly                 ex parte comments filed between the                    rules, substitute for the procedures that
                                                    egregious adverse effects, and that                     public release of the draft text of this               Federal agencies ordinarily must follow
                                                    collocations that involve any ground                    document on November 22, 2017, and                     in performing their historic preservation
                                                    disturbance must be subject to section                  its adoption by the Commission on                      reviews. See 36 CFR 800.14(b)(2).
                                                    106 review before the Commission can                    December 14, 2017. To the extent that                     Section III of the Collocation NPA,
                                                    allow collocations. The Commission                      they have not been addressed here,                     adopted and effective on March 16,


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                                                    1218                   Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 7 / Wednesday, January 10, 2018 / Proposed Rules

                                                    2001,2 provides that collocations on                     underlying tower completes an                         representatives since release of the
                                                    towers 3 constructed on or before the                    individual post-construction review                   Wireless Infrastructure NPRM.
                                                    effective date of that agreement are                     process.
                                                                                                                To develop a Program Comment, the                  II. Need for Program Comment To
                                                    excluded from routine historic
                                                                                                             rules of the Advisory Council require                 Address Twilight Towers
                                                    preservation review regardless of
                                                    whether the underlying tower has                         Federal agencies to arrange for public                   This Program Comment adopts an
                                                    undergone section 106 review provided                    participation appropriate to the subject              exclusion under section 106 for certain
                                                    that they satisfy the specified                          matter and the scope of the category of               collocations on Twilight Towers. This
                                                    conditions. See 47 CFR part 1, app. B,                   covered undertakings and in accordance                exclusion is warranted due to a number
                                                    section III. By contrast, section IV of the              with the standards set forth in the                   of unique factors associated with towers
                                                    Collocation NPA provides that                            Advisory Council’s rules. See 36 CFR                  whose construction commenced during
                                                    collocations on towers whose                             800.14(e)(2). Over the past several years,            the period from March 17, 2001 through
                                                    construction commenced after March                       the FCC has engaged with Tribal                       March 6, 2005, including: (1) The
                                                    16, 2001, are excluded from historic                     Nations, Native Hawaiian Organizations                limited reliability of section 106 review
                                                    preservation review only if the proposed                 (NHOs), SHPOs, and industry, by                       documentation from that time period;
                                                    collocation meets specified conditions                   holding many face-to-face meetings,                   (2) the lack of specificity in the FCC’s
                                                    and the section 106 review process for                   sponsoring webinars and workshops,                    rules regarding section 106 review at the
                                                    the underlying tower and any associated                  participating in conferences, and                     time the Twilight Towers were
                                                    environmental reviews has been                           distributing written materials. In 2014,              constructed; (3) the limited likelihood
                                                    completed. See 47 CFR part 1, app. B,                    FCC staff began consultations with                    that section 106 review could identify
                                                    section IV. Through the Wireless                         relevant parties to discuss possible                  adverse effects from these towers that
                                                    Facilities NPA, which was incorporated                   solutions to make Twilight Towers                     are not yet known after 12 years or
                                                    into the FCC’s rules effective on March                  broadly available for collocations in a               more; and (4) the significant public
                                                    7, 2005, the FCC adopted and codified                    manner consistent with the                            interest in making these towers readily
                                                    for the first time detailed procedures for               requirements of and policies underlying               available for collocation.
                                                    reviewing the effects on historic                        the NHPA. In October 2015, the FCC                       Although during the time between the
                                                    properties of communications towers                      circulated a discussion document to                   Collocation NPA and the Wireless
                                                    and those collocations that are subject to               SHPOs, Tribal Nations, NHOs and                       Facilities NPA the FCC’s environmental
                                                    review. See 47 CFR part 1, app. C.                       industry associations, and in January                 rules required licensees and applicants
                                                       Prior to the adoption of the Wireless                 2016, the FCC facilitated a summit in                 to evaluate whether proposed facilities
                                                    Facilities NPA, the FCC’s rules did not                  Isleta Pueblo, New Mexico, devoted to                 may affect historic properties, the rules
                                                    require its licensees and applicants to                  discussion of Twilight Towers. Industry,              did not then state that parties must
                                                    follow the ACHP’s rules or any other                     Tribal, and SHPO representatives                      perform this evaluation by following the
                                                    specified process when evaluating                        participated in this meeting. Following               Advisory Council’s rules or any other
                                                    whether their proposed facilities might                  the meeting, the FCC sought written                   specific process. Thus, prior to the
                                                    affect historic properties as mandated                   comments from the summit                              effective date of the Wireless Facilities
                                                    under section 106. Accordingly, a large                  participants. In August 2016, the FCC                 NPA, it was unclear whether the FCC’s
                                                    number of towers constructed during                      circulated to industry associations,                  rules required consultation with the
                                                    the period between the effective dates of                SHPOs, and Tribal/NHO contacts a                      relevant SHPO and/or Tribal Historic
                                                    the two NPAs—that is, those for which                    discussion draft term sheet developed as              Preservation Officer (THPO),
                                                    construction began after March 16,                       a result of those consultations. Follow               engagement with Tribal Nations to
                                                    2001, and before March 7, 2005—do not                    up calls with Tribal and SHPO                         identify historic properties off Tribal
                                                    have documentation demonstrating                         representatives and other interested                  land (including government-to-
                                                    compliance with the section 106 review                   parties, including the Advisory Council               government consultation), or any other
                                                    process (an issue exacerbated by the                     staff, were held throughout 2016.                     particular procedures, and this lack of
                                                    limitations of State Historic Preservation                  Further, in the Wireless Infrastructure            clarity may explain why many towers
                                                    Officers’ (SHPOs’) record-keeping as                     NPRM, adopted in April 2017, the FCC                  built during this period apparently did
                                                    well as subsequent changes in tower                      sought public comment on how to                       not obtain required clearance.
                                                    ownership). These towers are referred to                 resolve remaining section 106 issues                     Routine section 106 review of
                                                    as ‘‘Twilight Towers.’’ And because                      associated with collocation on Twilight               Twilight Towers is likely to provide
                                                    collocation on towers whose                              Towers, and it received numerous                      little benefit in preserving historic
                                                    construction began after the effective                   comments on these issues. See                         properties. Twilight Towers have been
                                                    date of the Collocation NPA is excluded                  Accelerating Wireless Broadband                       in place for 12 to 16 years. In the vast
                                                    from section 106 review only if the                      Deployment by Removing Barriers to                    majority of cases, no adverse effects
                                                    tower was itself subject to review,                      Infrastructure Deployment, 32 FCC Rcd                 from these towers have been brought to
                                                    licensees or applicants cannot currently                 3330, 3358–3361, paras. 78–86 (2017)                  the FCC’s attention. While the lack of
                                                    collocate on these Twilight Towers                       (Wireless Infrastructure NPRM); see also              objections filed with the FCC does not
                                                    unless each collocation completes a                      Proposed Rule, 82 FR 21761, May 10,                   guarantee that none of the Twilight
                                                    separate section 106 review or the                       2017. Finally, the FCC facilitated                    Towers have caused, or continue to
                                                                                                             consultations with Tribal                             cause, adverse effects on historic
                                                                                                             representatives on the Rosebud Sioux                  properties, such cases are likely few
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                                                       2 The Collocation NPA was amended in 2016 to

                                                    establish further exclusions from review for small       Reservation on June 8, 2017; at the                   given the passage of time and absence
                                                    antennas. See Wireless Telecommunications Bureau
                                                    Announces Execution of First Amendment to the
                                                                                                             annual meeting of the National                        of objections. In addition, any effects on
                                                    Nationwide Programmatic Agreement for the                Conference of American Indians on June                historic properties that may have
                                                    Collocation of Wireless Antennas, Public Notice, 31      14, 2017; on the Navajo Reservation on                occurred during construction may be
                                                    FCC Rcd 4617 (WTB 2016).                                 August 22, 2017; and in Washington, DC                difficult to demonstrate so many years
                                                       3 The Collocation Agreement defines ‘‘tower’’ as

                                                    ‘‘any structure built for the sole or primary purpose
                                                                                                             on October 4, 2017. FCC staff have also               after the fact.
                                                    of supporting FCC-licensed antennas and their            continued to meet in person and by                       Further, an exclusion for collocations
                                                    associated facilities.’’ Collocation NPA, section I.E.   phone with SHPOs and Tribal                           on Twilight Towers under the


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                                                                          Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 7 / Wednesday, January 10, 2018 / Proposed Rules                                             1219

                                                    conditions specified below is in the                    III. Exemption From Duplicate Review                   additional antenna array with
                                                    public interest. The exclusion will                     of Effects of Collocations by Other                    separation from the nearest existing
                                                    rapidly make available thousands of                     Federal Agencies                                       antenna not to exceed twenty feet,
                                                    existing towers 4 to support wireless                      Other Federal agencies are not                      whichever is greater, except that the
                                                    broadband deployment, including the                     required to comply with section 106                    mounting of the proposed antenna may
                                                    FirstNet public safety broadband                        with regard to the effects of collocations             exceed the size limits set forth in this
                                                    network,5 without causing adverse                       on Twilight Towers that are excluded                   paragraph if necessary to avoid
                                                    impacts. Importantly, facilitating                      from review under this Program                         interference with existing antennas; or
                                                                                                                                                                      2. The mounting of the proposed
                                                    collocations on existing towers will                    Comment. When other Federal agencies
                                                                                                                                                                   antenna would involve the installation
                                                    reduce the need for new towers, thereby                 have broader undertakings that include
                                                                                                                                                                   of more than the standard number of
                                                    avoiding the impact of new tower                        collocations on Twilight Towers, they                  new equipment cabinets for the
                                                    construction on the environment and on                  must, however, comply with section 106                 technology involved, not to exceed four,
                                                    locations with historical and cultural                  in accordance with the process set forth               or more than one new equipment
                                                    significance.                                           at 36 CFR 800.3 through 800.7, or                      shelter; or
                                                                                                            800.8(c), or another applicable program                   3. The mounting of the proposed
                                                       A Program Comment is necessary to
                                                                                                            alternative under 36 CFR 800.14 for                    antenna would involve adding an
                                                    facilitate collocation on Twilight
                                                                                                            aspects of the undertaking not involving               appurtenance to the body of the tower
                                                    Towers. While the Wireless Facilities
                                                                                                            the collocations.                                      that would protrude from the edge of
                                                    NPA contemplates a process for review
                                                    of proposed collocations on towers that                 IV. Exclusion for Twilight Towers                      the tower more than twenty feet or more
                                                    were built without required review,                                                                            than the width of the tower structure at
                                                                                                               In August 2000, the Advisory Council                the level of the appurtenance,
                                                    review of each collocation only satisfies               established a Telecommunications                       whichever is greater, except that the
                                                    the section 106 requirement for that                    Working Group to provide a forum for                   mounting of the proposed antenna may
                                                    collocation; it does not clear the tower                the FCC, industry representatives,                     exceed the size limits set forth in this
                                                    for future collocations. Given the large                SHPOs, THPOs, other Tribal                             paragraph if necessary to shelter the
                                                    number of Twilight Towers and                           representatives, and the Advisory                      antenna from inclement weather or to
                                                    potential collocations that could be                    Council to discuss improved                            connect the antenna to the tower via
                                                    installed on those towers, the existing                 coordination of section 106 compliance                 cable; or
                                                    review process imposes burdens on all                   regarding wireless communications                         4. The mounting of the proposed
                                                    participants that, in the context of the                facilities affecting historic properties.              antenna would involve excavation
                                                    other considerations discussed herein,                  The Advisory Council and the Working                   outside the current tower site, defined
                                                    are not commensurate with its historic                  Group developed the Collocation NPA,                   as the current boundaries of the leased
                                                    preservation benefits.                                  which recognized that the effects on                   or owned property surrounding the
                                                                                                            historic properties of collocations on                 tower and any access or utility
                                                       Accordingly, an approach different                   buildings, towers, and other structures
                                                    from the standard section 106 review                                                                           easements currently related to the site;
                                                                                                            are likely to be minimal and not adverse               or
                                                    process is warranted to make Twilight                   provided that certain premises and                        5. The tower has been determined by
                                                    Towers readily available for                            procedures are taken into consideration,               the FCC to have an adverse effect on one
                                                    collocations. Given the significant                     including limitations on the extent of                 or more historic properties, where such
                                                    public benefits to be realized by making                new construction and excavation.                       effect has not been avoided or mitigated
                                                    these facilities available for collocation,             Further, the Collocation NPA stated that               through a conditional no adverse effect
                                                    together with the other considerations                  its terms should be ‘‘interpreted and                  determination, a Memorandum of
                                                    discussed above, requiring each licensee                implemented wherever possible in ways                  Agreement, a programmatic agreement,
                                                    or applicant to review each tower                       that encourage collocation.’’ Consistent               or a finding of compliance with section
                                                    individually before collocating is not an               with that directive, this Program                      106 and the Wireless Facilities NPA; or
                                                    effective or efficient means for the FCC                Comment serves to resolve a long                          6. The tower is the subject of a
                                                    to comply with its obligations under                    standing impediment to collocation on                  pending environmental review or
                                                    section 106. This Program Comment is                    Twilight Towers within the broader                     related proceeding before the FCC
                                                    responsive to the unusual set of factors                protective framework established by the                involving compliance with section 106
                                                    surrounding the use of these Twilight                   Collocation NPA.                                       of the NHPA; or
                                                    Towers for the limited purpose of                          We intend the exclusion here to                        7. The collocation licensee or the
                                                    collocation.                                            mirror the exclusion in the Collocation                owner of the tower has received written
                                                                                                            NPA that applies to collocations on                    or electronic notification that the FCC is
                                                      4 The members of two major industry associations      towers for which construction                          in receipt of a complaint from a member
                                                    have collectively reported owning 4,298 towers that     commenced on or before March 16,                       of the public, a Tribal Nation or NHO,
                                                    could be classified as Twilight Towers. Letter from     2001. And so, pursuant to the exclusion                a SHPO, or the Advisory Council that
                                                    Brian Josef, Assistant Vice President, Regulatory       adopted here, an antenna may be
                                                    Affairs, CTIA—The Wireless Association, and D.
                                                                                                                                                                   the collocation has an adverse effect on
                                                    Zachary Champ, Assistant Vice President,                mounted on an existing tower for which                 one or more historic properties. Any
                                                    Regulatory Affairs, PCIA—The Wireless                   construction commenced between                         such complaint must be in writing and
                                                    Infrastructure Association, to Chad Breckinridge        March 16, 2001, and March 7, 2005,                     supported by substantial evidence
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                                                    Associate Chief, WTB, FCC (dated June 4, 2015).         without such collocation being
                                                    There may be more Twilight Towers owned by
                                                                                                                                                                   describing how the effect from the
                                                    entities that are not members of these associations     reviewed through the section 106                       collocation is adverse to the attributes
                                                    or that did not participate in their survey.            process set forth in the Wireless                      that qualify any affected historic
                                                      5 See 47 U.S.C. 1426(c)(3) (providing that ‘‘the      Facilities NPA, unless:                                property for eligibility or potential
                                                    First Responder Network Authority shall enter into         1. The mounting of the proposed                     eligibility for the National Register.
                                                    agreements to utilize, to the maximum extent
                                                    economically desirable, existing (A) commercial or
                                                                                                            antenna on the tower would increase                       In the event that a proposed
                                                    other communications infrastructure; and (B)            the existing height of the tower by more               collocation on a Twilight Tower does
                                                    Federal, state, tribal, or local infrastructure’’).     than 10%, or by the height of one                      not meet the conditions specified above


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                                                    1220                  Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 7 / Wednesday, January 10, 2018 / Proposed Rules

                                                    for this exclusion, the collocation must                the FCC, the National Conference on                    delivered to FCC Headquarters at 445
                                                    undergo historic preservation review as                 State Historic Preservation Officers, and              12th St. SW, Room TW–A325,
                                                    required by the rules of the Advisory                   the National Association of Tribal                     Washington, DC 20554. The filing hours
                                                    Council as revised or supplemented by                   Historic Preservation Officers, and                    are 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. All hand
                                                    the Wireless Facilities NPA and the                     thereafter providing them with written                 deliveries must be held together with
                                                    Collocation NPA. As provided in the                     notice of the withdrawal.                              rubber bands or fasteners. Any
                                                    Wireless Facilities NPA, such review is                    2. In the event the FCC determines                  envelopes and boxes must be disposed
                                                    limited to effects from the collocation                 that this Program Comment is not                       of before entering the building.
                                                    and shall not include consideration of                  operating as intended, or is no longer                   • Commercial overnight mail (other
                                                    effects on historic properties from the                 necessary, the FCC, after consultation                 than U.S. Postal Service Express Mail
                                                    underlying tower.                                       with the parties identified in section                 and Priority Mail) must be sent to 9050
                                                                                                            VI.B.1 above, shall send written notice                Junction Drive, Annapolis Junction,
                                                    V. Additional Provisions Relating to                    to the Advisory Council of its intent to
                                                    Tribal Nations                                                                                                 Annapolis, MD 20701.
                                                                                                            withdraw.                                                • U.S. Postal Service first-class,
                                                      This Program Comment does not                            C. Periodic Meetings. Throughout the                Express, and Priority mail must be
                                                    apply on Tribal lands unless the                        duration of this Program Comment, the                  addressed to 445 12th Street SW,
                                                    relevant Tribal Nation has provided the                 Advisory Council and the FCC shall                     Washington, DC 20554.
                                                    FCC with a written notice agreeing to its               meet annually on or about the                            People with Disabilities. To request
                                                    application on Tribal lands.                            anniversary of the effective date of this              materials in accessible formats for
                                                      A Tribal Nation may request direct                    Program Comment. The FCC and the                       people with disabilities (Braille, large
                                                    government-to-government consultation                   Advisory Council will discuss the                      print, electronic files, audio format),
                                                    with the FCC at any time with respect                   effectiveness of this Program Comment,                 send an email to fcc504@fcc.gov or call
                                                    to a Twilight Tower or any collocation                  including any issues related to improper               the FCC’s Consumer and Governmental
                                                    thereon. The FCC will respond to any                    implementation, and will discuss any                   Affairs Bureau at (202) 418–0530
                                                    such request in a manner consistent                     potential amendments that would                        (voice), (202) 418–0432 (TTY).
                                                    with its responsibility toward Tribal                   improve its effectiveness.                               14. This document does not contain
                                                    Nations. When indicated by the                             Complaints Regarding                                proposed information collection
                                                    circumstances, and if the request is in                 Implementation of This Program                         requirements subject to the Paperwork
                                                    writing and supported by substantial                    Comment. Members of the public may                     Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104–
                                                    evidence as described in paragraph                      refer any complaints regarding the                     13. In addition, therefore, it does not
                                                    IV.7., the FCC shall treat a request for                implementation of this Program                         contain any proposed information
                                                    consultation as a complaint against the                 Comment to the FCC. The FCC will                       collection burden for small business
                                                    proposed collocation and shall notify                   handle those complaints consistent with                concerns with fewer than 25 employees,
                                                    the tower owner accordingly.                            section XI of the Wireless Facilities                  pursuant to the Small Business
                                                      A Tribal Nation may provide                           NPA.                                                   Paperwork Relief Act of 2002, Public
                                                    confidential supporting evidence or                        13. Pursuant to sections 1.415 and                  Law 107–198, see 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(4).
                                                    other relevant information relating to a                1.419 of the Commission’s rules, 47 CFR
                                                    historic property of religious or cultural              1.415, 1.419, interested parties may file              Federal Communications Commission.
                                                    significance. The FCC shall protect all                 comments and reply comments on or                      Marlene H. Dortch,
                                                    confidential information consistent with                before the dates indicated on the first                Secretary, Office of the Secretary.
                                                    section IV.I of the Wireless Facilities                 page of this document. Comments may                    [FR Doc. 2018–00292 Filed 1–9–18; 8:45 am]
                                                    NPA.                                                    be filed using the Commission’s                        BILLING CODE 6712–01–P
                                                                                                            Electronic Comment Filing System
                                                    VI. Administrative Provisions
                                                                                                            (ECFS). Electronic Filing of Documents
                                                      A. Definitions. Unless otherwise                      in Rulemaking Proceedings, 63 FR                       DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
                                                    defined in this Program Comment, the                    24121 (1998).
                                                    terms used here shall have the meanings                    • Electronic Filers: Comments may be                Federal Motor Carrier Safety
                                                    ascribed to them under 36 CFR part 800                  filed electronically using the internet by             Administration
                                                    as modified or supplemented by the                      accessing the ECFS: http://apps.fcc.gov/
                                                    Collocation NPA or Wireless Facilities                  ecfs/.                                                 49 CFR Part 395
                                                    NPA.                                                       • Paper Filers: Parties who choose to
                                                      B. Duration. This Program Comment                                                                            [Docket No. FMCSA–2017–0372]
                                                                                                            file by paper must file an original and
                                                    shall remain in force unless terminated                 one copy of each filing. If more than one              Hours of Service of Drivers:
                                                    or otherwise superseded by a                            docket or rulemaking number appears in                 Application for Exemption; Towing and
                                                    comprehensive Programmatic                              the caption of this proceeding, filers                 Recovery Association of America, Inc.
                                                    Agreement or the Advisory Council                       must submit two additional copies for                  (TRAA)
                                                    provides written notice of its intention                each additional docket or rulemaking
                                                    to withdraw the Program Comment                         number.                                                AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety
                                                    pursuant to section VI.B.1, below, or the                  Filings can be sent by hand or                      Administration (FMCSA), DOT.
                                                    FCC provides written notice of its                      messenger delivery, by commercial                      ACTION: Notice of application for
                                                    intention not to continue to utilize this               overnight courier, or by first-class or
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                                                                                                                                                                   exemption; request for comments.
                                                    Program Comment pursuant to section                     overnight U.S. Postal Service mail. All
                                                    VI.B.2, below.                                          filings must be addressed to the                       SUMMARY:   FMCSA announces that the
                                                      1. If the Advisory Council determines                 Commission’s Secretary, Office of the                  Towing and Recovery Association of
                                                    that the consideration of historic                      Secretary, Federal Communications                      America, Inc. (TRAA) has requested an
                                                    properties is not being carried out in a                Commission.                                            exemption from the requirement that a
                                                    manner consistent with section 106, the                    • All hand-delivered or messenger-                  motor carrier install and require each of
                                                    Advisory Council may withdraw this                      delivered paper filings for the                        its drivers to use an electronic logging
                                                    Program Comment after consulting with                   Commission’s Secretary must be                         device (ELD) to record the driver’s


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Document Created: 2018-10-26 09:33:15
Document Modified: 2018-10-26 09:33:15
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionProposed Rules
ActionProposed rule.
DatesComments are due on February 9, 2018; reply comments are due on February 26, 2018.
ContactFor further information on this proceeding, contact Daniel J. Margolis, Competition and Infrastructure Policy Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, at [email protected] or (202) 418-1377.
FR Citation83 FR 1215 

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