[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 222 (Tuesday, November 18, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 61447-61448]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-30174]
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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
47 CFR Parts 1 and 97
[ET Docket No. 93-62; FCC 97-303]
Guidelines for Evaluating the Environmental Effects of
Radiofrequency Radiation
AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
ACTION: Correcting amendment.
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SUMMARY: On September 12, 1997 (62 FR 47960), the Commission published
final rules in the Second Memorandum Opinion and Order, which deals
with the transition period for implementing new guidelines for human
exposure to radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields; and the
criteria for determining whether amateur radio stations must perform
routine environmental evaluations for human exposure to RF fields. The
Commission is correcting the amendatory language and table to ensure
that the amendments are properly incorporated in the 1998 revision of
the Code of Federal Regulations.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 15, 1997.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert F. Cleveland, Office of
Engineering and Technology, Federal Communications Commission, (202)
418-2464.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The Commission is correcting Sec. 1.1307(b)(4) and Sec. 97.13(c)(1)
of the Commission's rules, 47 CFR 1.1307(b)(4) and 47 CFR 97.13(c)(1),
as modified in Guidelines for Evaluating the Environmental Effects of
Radiofrequency Radiation, Second Memorandum Opinion and Order,
published in Federal Register 62 FR 47960, September 12, 1997, and 62
FR 49557, September 22, 1997. The first rule deals with the transition
period for implementing new guidelines for human exposure to
radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields. This rule, as published,
omits language that was needed to clarify the Commission's policy on
implementation of the new guidelines. The second rule deals with
criteria for determining whether amateur radio stations must perform
routine environmental evaluations for human exposure to RF fields.
Need for Correction
The rule, as published, contained misleading language and an entry
was missing from a table that is necessary for
[[Page 61448]]
defining the criteria under which certain stations are subject to
evaluation.
List of Subjects in 47 CFR Parts 1 and 97
Radio, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
Accordingly, 47 CFR parts 1 and 97 are corrected by making the
following correcting amendments:
PART 1--PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE
1. The authority citation for part 1 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154, 303 and 309(j), unless otherwise
noted, and Section 704 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996.
Sec. 1.1307 [Corrected]
2. Section 1.1307(b)(4) introductory text is corrected to read as
follows:
Sec. 1.1307 Actions which may have a significant environmental effect,
for which Environmental Assessments (EAs) must be prepared.
* * * * *
(b) * * *
(4) Transition Provisions. Applications filed with the Commission
prior to October 15, 1997 (or January 1, 1998, for the Amateur Radio
Service only), for construction permits, licenses to transmit or
renewals thereof, modifications in existing facilities or other
authorizations or renewals thereof require the preparation of an
Environmental Assessment if the particular facility, operation or
transmitter would cause human exposure to levels of radiofrequency
radiation that are in excess of the requirements contained in
paragraphs (b)(4)(i) through (b)(4)(iii) of this section. In accordance
with Sec. 1.1312, if no new application or Commission action is
required for a licensee to construct a new facility or physically
modify an existing facility, e.g., geographic area licensees, and
construction begins on or after October 15, 1997, the licensee will be
required to prepare an Environmental Assessment if construction or
modification of the facility would not comply with the provisions of
paragraph (b)(1) of this section. These transition provisions do not
apply to applications for equipment authorization or use for mobile,
portable and unlicensed devices as specified in paragraph (b)(2) of
this section.
* * * * *
PART 97--AMATEUR RADIO SERVICE
1. The authority citation for part 97 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 48 Stat. 1066, 1082, as amended; 47 U.S.C. Secs. 154,
303. Interpret or apply 48 Stat. 1064-1068, 1081-1105, as amended;
47 U.S.C. Secs. 151-155, 301-609, unless otherwise noted.
Sec. 97.13 [Corrected]
2. Section 97.13(c)(1) and the table contained therein are
corrected to read as follows:
Sec. 97.13 Restrictions on station location.
* * * * *
(c) * * *
(1) The licensee must perform the routine RF environmental
evaluation prescribed by Sec. 1.1307(b) of this chapter, if the power
of the licensee's station exceeds the limits given in the following
table:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Evaluation required if power
Wavelength band \1\ (watts) exceeds
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MF
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160 m..................................... 500
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HF
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80 m...................................... 500
75 m...................................... 500
40 m...................................... 500
30 m...................................... 425
20 m...................................... 225
17 m...................................... 125
15 m...................................... 100
12 m...................................... 75
10 m...................................... 50
VHF (all bands)........................... 50
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UHF
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70 cm..................................... 70
33 cm..................................... 150
23 cm..................................... 200
13 cm..................................... 250
SHF (all bands)........................... 250
EHF (all bands)........................... 250
Repeater stations (all bands)............. non-building-mounted
antennas: height above
ground level to lowest
point of antenna <10 m="" and="" power="">500 W ERP building-
mounted antennas: power
>500 W ERP
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\1\ Power = PEP input to antenna except, for repeater stations only,
power exclusion is based on ERP (effective radiated power).
Federal Communications Commission.
William F. Caton,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 97-30174 Filed 11-17-97; 8:45 am]
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