[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    
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   MF                                   
------------------------------------------------------------------------
160 m.....................................  500                         
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   HF                                   
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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                          
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   UHF                                  
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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                 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\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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