As reported in RF Report for Sept. 21, 2004, the FCC adopted a Report and Order to implement a Nationwide Programmatic Agreement (NPA) to facilitate review of communications facilities under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA). Last week the FCC released the Report and Order implementing the NPA.
On Oct. 4, 2004, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers executed a revised National Agreement to "tailor the Section 106 review in the communications context in order to improve compliance and streamline the review process for construction of towers and other Commission undertakings, while at the same time advancing and preserving the goal of the NHPA to protect historic properties, including historic properties to which federally recognized Indian tribes, including Alaska Native Villages, and Native Hawaiian Organizations attach religious and cultural significance." As a result, "upon the effective date of the rule changes adopted in this Report and Order, the provisions of the attached Nationwide Agreement will become binding on affected licensees and applicants of the Commission."
For more information on the Agreement and related procedures, see the Report and Order.
