Happy New Year! HUGE VICTORY IN A CHICAGO SUBURB — “NEPA review” is Required.
26 December 2019 | NEPA Strategies | Scientists for Wired Technology|DRAFT C & D letter success|
NEPA = National Environmental Policy Act
Western Springs, IL. The small cell application was deemed incomplete, while awaiting a “NEPA review”, among other information requirements.
Link To _Document_2019-1226-WTF-NEPA-letter-Western-Springs-IL
NEPA = National Environmental Policy Act
Executive Summary
The NEPA strategy it is a two-step process, described here, as you can read on this page –> https://scientists4wiredtech.com/action/nepa-strategies/
. . . the steps were formulated after speaking to three FCC attorneys on 12/12/19.
The words the FCC used on 12/12/19 were that each Wireless Telecommunications Facility (WTF) application requires “NEPA review” (which really means a “self-policed” letter written by the applicant, a letter that does not need to be verified by any party). The benefits of the strategy are what happens before the letter(s) hit the file(s) and shortly after the letter(s) hit the file(s).
A separate letter is needed for each application. This is not a “small cell” specific requirement. It applies to every WTF application in the USA. See an example of an industry NEPA Letter here –> https://scientists4wiredtech.com/action/nepa-strategies/#letter
This is the opportunity:
- If there are no NEPA letters in the Wireless Telecommunications Facilities (WTFs) files, you can insist that your City or County write a letter to the applicant, declaring the applications incomplete; Benefit: things remain on hold until the NEPA letters show up. The letters may or may not include a checklist or any analysis, at all.
- As soon as the letter(s) arrive, you have a second opportunity: see options [a], and [b], below
a. Convince your city to declare the application(s) incomplete a second time, because of the substantial evidence that you bring that shows that the “construction of the facilities has been a source of controversy on environmental grounds in the local community.” Feel free to add as many pdfs of evidence as you wish . . . the more the better. See if the City will forward the evidence to the FCC (at least to towercomments@fcc.gov) so they will open a file at the FCC, which requires the FCC to inspect the records and make a determination ifthe application requires an Environmental Assessment
b. If your City is not willing to do [a] above, you can send the evidence directly to the FCC, but you may not benefit from the City officially stopping the shot clocks(s). That is the real benefit of [a].
Either [a] or [b], achieves the goal of burying the FCC and forcing them to do their jobs.
Any City Attorney’s or County Attorney’s opinion on this matter is immaterial. This is strictly a Federal issue between the applicant and the FCC. You can play the valuable role of police-person, turning the table on the Wireless industry. Isn’t that refreshingly nice?
Link To Source – Scientists4WiredTech
Link To S4WT Expert Panel Speaks on Technology Risks to Humanity
How To Save Your Community From 5G – Special Guest Susan Clarke
The Young Turk’s: The Conversation with Devra Davis, PhD — Why Densified 4G/5G is Hazardous
Link To The Science at Environmental Health Trust
Link To Environmental Health Trust Resources to Share