NAB Weighs In On EAS, Migratory Bird Protection Issues

NAB Files Comments

The NAB has filed comments in the FCC's Emergency Alert System docket, proposing some changes to EAS procedures.

The organization proposed federal funding for training of state and local emergency managers in EAS procedures while developing a manual of standard operating procedures for EAS alerts; suggested extending the present 180 day deadline for EAS participants to configure their networks to accept Common Alerting Protocol (CAP)-based alerts after FEMA's announcement of the technical standards for the use of CAP as the basis for FEMA-generated alerts, noting that 180 days might not be enough time for equipment manufacturers to make the changes and get FCC approval for them; asked that multilingual EAS not be made mandatory; voiced concern over allowing delegation by governors of mandatory EAS activation rights; and reiterated a proposal to allow "selective override" of EAS on cable television to exempt certain channels.

NAB, Nature Groups Propose Tower Rules To Protect Birds

The NAB also recently joined with the CTIA, PCIA, and NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF TOWER ERECTORS in submitting a joint proposal with the AMERICAN BIRD CONSERVANCY, the DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE, and the NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY to submit joint recommendations to the FCC for protecting migratory birds from death or injury from colliding with communications towers.  The memo submitted to the Commission includes a call for the development of interim standards for the Antenna Structure Registration program and asks the FCC to adopt and utilize a preferred lighting scheme for changes to existing towers to minimize potential adverse consequences.

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