PUBLIC NOTICE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 1919 M STREET N.W. WASHINGTON, DC 20554 ___________________________________________________ News media Information 202/418-0500. Recorded listing of releases and texts 202/418-2222. Report No. DS-1492 DA 95-96 Released: February 6, 1995 INTERNATIONAL BUREAU ELIMINATES REDUNDANT FILING OF RADIATION HAZARD STUDIES 1. Effective upon release of this Public Notice, earth station applicants and licensees will no longer be required to submit a Radiation Hazard Study for certain filings under Part 25 of the Rules. These new procedures will streamline licensing of earth station applications by eliminating redundant filings, while ensuring full compliance with antenna radiation standards. This reform stems from suggestions made in the course of roundtable discussions with the public about ways in which the Bureau can further streamline processing, eliminate unnecessary regulations, and better serve the public interest. 2. Background. Since January 1, 1986, all new earth station applications and applications for modification or renewal of an existing station license have been required to certify whether grant of the application will have a significant environmental impact. See 47 C.F.R.  1.1307(b); and Memorandum Opinion and Order, 50 Fed. Reg. 38653 (1985). The applicant makes this initial determination by preparing a Radiation Hazard Study, in which the applicant assesses the radiofrequency (RF) radiation levels in the region around the antenna, and compares those findings to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) recommended guidelines. See Public Notice, No. DS-1231 (released Sept. 29, 1992). If there are no potential hazards and no applicable limits are exceeded, the applicant certifies compliance on the application form. See, e.g., FCC Form 493, "Application for Earth Station Authorization and for Modification of Station License," Question No. 25. Should the RF radiation levels exceed the ANSI guidelines, the applicant must file an Environmental Assessment (EA), including an exhibit explaining action as necessary to bring the proposal into compliance. See Public Notice, Report No. DS-1331 (released July 15, 1993). 3. Streamlined Filing Requirements. Applicants have routinely filed Radiation Hazard Studies as exhibits to all earth station filings: new applications, renewals, requests for modification, and assignment and transfer applications. Usually these exhibits are offered to support the ANSI guideline compliance certification or the EA documentation. The Commission evaluates this data for adverse environmental impact prior to grant of any earth station application. Once this documentation is on file, however, there is no longer a need for redundant filings of the same information. The filing of identical, subsequent Radiation Hazard Studies constitutes an unnecessary burden on applicants, and causes unwarranted delay in the processing of applications. 4. Accordingly, applicants are no longer required to file a Radiation Hazard Study in the following situations: 1) renewal applications for earth station antennas originally licensed after January 1, 1986; 2) requests for modifications to earth stations licensed after January 1, 1986 that do not involve: (a) an increase in EIRP or EIRP density; (b) an increase in transmitter power; (c) any change in coordinates for stations operating in C-band; (d) a change in coordinates of 10 seconds or greater for stations operating in Ku-band; or (e) any change or addition to antenna facilities. 5. Applicants are further reminded that Section 1.1307 does not apply to assignment or transfer applications. Therefore, Radiation Hazard Studies are not required for these applications. 6. This Public Notice does not alter an applicant's or licensee's responsibility for compliance with Section 1.1307. It simply eliminates submissions of Radiation Hazard Studies already on file at the Commission. 7. Interested persons with a suggestion that will improve the Bureau's ability to serve the public are urged to call or write Scott Blake Harris, Chief, International Bureau, Suite 800, 2000 M Street, N.W., Stop Code 0800, Washington, D.C. 20554, (202) 739-0422. 8. For further information regarding this notice, please contact Julie A. Garcia at (202) 739-0734. - FCC -