§ 1.1320   Review of Commission undertakings that may affect historic
properties.

   (a) Review of Commission undertakings. Any Commission undertaking that
   has the potential to cause effects on historic properties, unless
   excluded from review pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section, shall
   be subject to review under section 106 of the National Historic
   Preservation Act, as amended, 54 U.S.C. 306108, by applying—

   (1) The procedures set forth in regulations of the Advisory Council on
   Historic Preservation, 36 CFR800.3-800.13, or

   (2) If applicable, a program alternative established pursuant to 36 CFR
   800.14, including but not limited to the following:

   (i) The Nationwide Programmatic Agreement for the Collocation of
   Wireless Antennas, as amended, Appendix B of this part.

   (ii) The Nationwide Programmatic Agreement for Review of Effects on
   Historic Properties for Certain Undertakings, Appendix C of this part.

   (iii) The Program Comment to Tailor the Federal Communications
   Commission's Section 106 Review for Undertakings Involving the
   Construction of Positive Train Control Wayside Poles and
   Infrastructure,  79 FR 30861  (May 29, 2014).

   (b) Exclusions. The following categories of undertakings are excluded
   from review under this section:

   (1) Projects reviewed by other agencies. Undertakings for which an
   agency other than the Commission is the lead Federal agency pursuant to
   36 CFR 800.2(a)(2).

   (2) Projects subject to program alternatives. Undertakings excluded
   from review under a program alternative established pursuant to 36 CFR
   800.14, including those listed in paragraph (a)(2) of this section.

   (3) Replacement utility poles. Construction of a replacement for an
   existing structure where all the following criteria are satisfied:

   (i) The original structure—

   (A) Is a pole that can hold utility, communications, or related
   transmission lines;

   (B) Was not originally erected for the sole or primary purpose of
   supporting antennas that operate pursuant to the Commission's spectrum
   license or authorization; and

   (C) Is not itself a historic property.

   (ii) The replacement pole—

   (A) Is located no more than 10 feet away from the original pole, based
   on the distance between the centerpoint of the replacement pole and the
   centerpoint of the original pole; provided that construction of the
   replacement pole in place of the original pole entails no new ground
   disturbance (either laterally or in depth) outside previously disturbed
   areas, including disturbance associated with temporary support of
   utility, communications, or related transmission lines. For purposes of
   this paragraph, “ground disturbance” means any activity that moves,
   compacts, alters, displaces, or penetrates the ground surface of
   previously undisturbed soils;

   (B) Has a height that does not exceed the height of the original pole
   by more than 5 feet or 10 percent of the height of the original pole,
   whichever is greater; and

   (C) Has an appearance consistent with the quality and appearance of the
   original pole.

   (4) Collocations on buildings and other non-tower structures. The
   mounting of antennas (including associated equipment such as wiring,
   cabling, cabinets, or backup power) on buildings or other non-tower
   structures where the deployment meets the following conditions:

   (i) There is an existing antenna on the building or structure;

   (ii) One of the following criteria is met:

   (A) Non-Visible Antennas. The new antenna is not visible from any
   adjacent streets or surrounding public spaces and is added in the same
   vicinity as a pre-existing antenna;

   (B) Visible Replacement Antennas. The new antenna is visible from
   adjacent streets or surrounding public spaces, provided that

   (1) It is a replacement for a pre-existing antenna,

   (2) The new antenna will be located in the same vicinity as the
   pre-existing antenna,

   (3) The new antenna will be visible only from adjacent streets and
   surrounding public spaces that also afford views of the pre-existing
   antenna,

   (4) The new antenna is not more than 3 feet larger in height or width
   (including all protuberances) than the pre-existing antenna, and

   (5) No new equipment cabinets are visible from the adjacent streets or
   surrounding public spaces; or

   (C) Other Visible Antennas. The new antenna is visible from adjacent
   streets or surrounding public spaces, provided that

   (1) It is located in the same vicinity as a pre-existing antenna,

   (2) The new antenna will be visible only from adjacent streets and
   surrounding public spaces that also afford views of the pre-existing
   antenna,

   (3) The pre-existing antenna was not deployed pursuant to the exclusion
   in this paragraph,

   (4) The new antenna is not more than three feet larger in height or
   width (including all protuberances) than the pre-existing antenna, and

   (5) No new equipment cabinets are visible from the adjacent streets or
   surrounding public spaces;

   (iii) The new antenna complies with all zoning conditions and historic
   preservation conditions applicable to existing antennas in the same
   vicinity that directly mitigate or prevent effects, such as camouflage
   or concealment requirements;

   (iv) The deployment of the new antenna involves no new ground
   disturbance; and

   (v) The deployment would otherwise require the preparation of an
   Environmental Assessment under 1.1304(a)(4) solely because of the age
   of the structure.

   Note 1 to paragraph (b)(4): A non-visible new antenna is in the “same
   vicinity” as a pre-existing antenna if it will be collocated on the
   same rooftop, façade or other surface. A visible new antenna is in the
   “same vicinity” as a pre-existing antenna if it is on the same rooftop,
   façade, or other surface and the centerpoint of the new antenna is
   within ten feet of the centerpoint of the pre-existing antenna. A
   deployment causes no new ground disturbance when the depth and width of
   previous disturbance exceeds the proposed construction depth and width
   by at least two feet.

   (c) Responsibilities of applicants. Applicants seeking Commission
   authorization for construction or modification of towers, collocation
   of antennas, or other undertakings shall take the steps mandated by,
   and comply with the requirements set forth in, Appendix C of this part,
   sections III-X, or any other applicable program alternative.

   (d) Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following
   definitions apply:

   Antenna means an apparatus designed for the purpose of emitting
   radiofrequency (RF) radiation, to be operated or operating from a fixed
   location pursuant to Commission authorization, for the transmission of
   writing, signs, signals, data, images, pictures, and sounds of all
   kinds, including the transmitting device and any on-site equipment,
   switches, wiring, cabling, power sources, shelters or cabinets
   associated with that antenna and added to a tower, structure, or
   building as part of the original installation of the antenna. For most
   services, an antenna will be mounted on or in, and is distinct from, a
   supporting structure such as a tower, structure or building. However,
   in the case of AM broadcast stations, the entire tower or group of
   towers constitutes the antenna for that station. For purposes of this
   section, the term antenna does not include unintentional radiators,
   mobile stations, or devices authorized under part 15 of this title.

   Applicant means a Commission licensee, permittee, or registration
   holder, or an applicant or prospective applicant for a wireless or
   broadcast license, authorization or antenna structure registration, and
   the duly authorized agents, employees, and contractors of any such
   person or entity.

   Collocation means the mounting or installation of an antenna on an
   existing tower, building or structure for the purpose of transmitting
   and/or receiving radio frequency signals for communications purposes,
   whether or not there is an existing antenna on the structure.

   Tower means any structure built for the sole or primary purpose of
   supporting Commission-licensed or authorized antennas, including the
   on-site fencing, equipment, switches, wiring, cabling, power sources,
   shelters, or cabinets associated with that tower but not installed as
   part of an antenna as defined herein.

   Undertaking means a project, activity, or program funded in whole or in
   part under the direct or indirect jurisdiction of the Commission,
   including those requiring a Commission permit, license or approval.
   Maintenance and servicing of towers, antennas, and associated equipment
   are not deemed to be undertakings subject to review under this section.

   [ 82 FR 58758 , Dec. 14, 2017]

   return arrow Back to Top

Subpart J—Pole Attachment Complaint Procedures

   Source:  43 FR 36094 , Aug. 15, 1978, unless otherwise noted.

   return arrow Back to Top