Certain Filing and Regulatory Deadlines Extended in Puerto Rico, USVI
WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUREAU AND PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY BUREAU EXTEND FILING AND REGULATORY DEADLINES AND STREAMLINE ENVIRONMENTAL NOTIFICATION PROCESS FOR AREAS AFFECTED BY HURRICANE MARIA
Considering the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria in
We find good cause to waive certain of our rules, on our own motion, as described below, for six months, in order to alleviate the burden of regulatory compliance as
We therefore extend certain deadlines occurring between
(1) We extend until
(2) We extend until
(3) We waive certain requirements relating to the environmental notification process. First, we expand the exception that currently applies to antenna structures that will be in place for no more than 60 days, in order to allow temporary towers to remain in place for a longer period without requiring environmental notification. Specifically, we waive the Section 17.4(c) requirement to complete the environmental notification process for the construction or deployment of a temporary antenna structure that will be in place until no later than
We also waive the environmental notice requirement under Section 17.4(c) for structures constructed to restore service in the affected area. Pre-construction environmental notification will not be required in such cases, on the condition that applicants availing themselves of this waiver complete the environmental notice requirement as soon as practicable thereafter, but in any event no later than
(4) We also waive Section 1.931(a) of the Commission's rules through
* Parts 22, 24, and 27 (excluding 600 MHz Service, Advanced Wireless Service, Broadband Radio Service and Educational Broadband Service):
* Parts 27 (600 MHz Service, Advanced Wireless Service, Broadband Radio Service and Educational Broadband Service); Part 30; Part 74 (excluding Subparts G and L); and Part 101 (excluding Public Safety):
* Parts 80, 87, 90 (excluding Public Safety), 95, and 97:
* Parts 90 & 101 (Public Safety):
* In addition, during evening hours, weekends, and holidays, licensees needing
Operation during emergencies. We remind licensees that Sections 22.307, 90.407, and 101.205 of the Commission's rules address operation during periods of emergency for licensees authorized under these rule parts. These rules allow licensees to provide emergency communications during a period of emergency in a manner or configuration not specified in the station authorization or in the rules governing such stations.
Priority review by WTB and PSHSB. Finally, we remind affected parties that they can also file waiver requests for relief not covered by the PN. To facilitate the rapid restoration of communications infrastructure and services to the islands, through
By the Chief,
1
2 47 CFR section 1.3. The nature and scope of the devastation, and the critical need to restore communications, constitute good cause for these actions.
3 Wireless Radio Services. All radio services authorized in Parts 13, 20, 22, 24, 27, 30, 74, 80, 87, 90, 95, 96, 97 and 101 of the Commission's, whether commercial, private, or public safety in nature.
4 See 1.947(b) - we waive the requirement to notify the Commission within 30 days of making a minor modification.
5 Public safety applicants and licensees do not accrue filing fees of any kind.
6 To allow WTB and PSHSB to process filings submitted through the Universal Licensing System (ULS) as expeditiously as possible, an "Attachment Type" has been created in ULS called "Hurricane Relief." This Attachment Type must be used to upload and attach to a filing a certification that states "under penalty of perjury that the deadlines could not be met within the time otherwise provided in the Commission's rules because of the hurricane." To provide the required certification, licensees and applicants should upload a file with the certification, select Attachment Type "Hurricane Relief," and enter "Hurricane Relief Certification" in the File Description field on the Attachment Screen. Filings submitted manually should include an attachment with the hurricane-related certification and the following statement at the top of the attachment: "Hurricane Relief Certification."
7 See 47 CFR section 17.4(c).
8 47 CFR section 1.931(a).
9 47 CFR section 1.915(b).
10 47 CFR sections 22.307, 90.407, 101.205.
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