CALL TO ACTION:

BloostonLaw has assembled a compliance manual for all tower/antenna structure owners, as well as any licensee mounting antennas on structures.  The manual helps structure owners and licensees to avoid FCC fines, minimize Federal and state approval delays, and minimize or avoid the potential for civil and/or criminal liability that could be associated with tower operations/accidents.  The manual includes a detailed explanation of FCC, FAA and other Federal regulatory requirements so that your staff can understand the legal do’s and don’ts associated with tower construction and antenna mounting.  We have also developed checklists that can be used by your employees and contractors to (1) make sure that necessary compliance steps are taken and (2) create a paper trail documenting such compliance.  There are separate checklists for antenna structure owners and radio licensees that will use such structures.  These checklists cover such issues as environmental protection, historic preservation, harmful RF radiation limits, interference protection, aviation safety, and Federal reporting requirements.  A sample tower log is included.

In recent years, tower owners have faced million dollar fines and even higher civil liabilities due to rule violations that may contribute to an aviation accident.  Similar liability can arise from environmental or harmful radiation violations.  Also, many licensees do not realize that, for every antenna mounted in the United States , the licensee must either obtain the prior approval of the applicable State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO), or establish that the antenna qualifies for an exemption from this requirement.  The compliance manual helps to ensure compliance, and can allow licensees to determine whether they are exempt from the SHPO approval process.  Under recently adopted Federal procedures, even certain new towers are exempt from SHPO approval process, as described in the manual.