Subject: FCC to Rule on Lighting Towers for Migratory Birds. From: John Scavetto <jscavetto AT OPTONLINE.NET> Date: Wed, 4 Apr 2007 11:09:04 -0400 * This was sent to me from a North Carolina list I belong to. I don't remember anyone bringing this up and so I wanted to make this information available. I am sure we have a few people out there that can lend there name and time to a very worthy cause. John Scavetto Elmwood Park, NJ 07407 Subject:* FW: Millions of Bird Deaths May be Prevented by FCC Rulemaking to Make Lighted Towers Safer ** ** To: Editorial Page Editors, Editorial Writers and Columnists From: Steve Holmer, American Bird Conservancy, 202/234-7181 ext. 216, 202/744-6459 cell, *sholmer AT abcbirds.org* , *www.abcbirds.org* Date: March 29, 2007 *Millions of Bird Deaths May be Prevented by FCC Rulemaking to Make Lighted Towers Safer * Research has shown that night-migrating songbirds are, like moths to a flame, attracted to communications tower lights, particularly during bad weather, become disorientated and circle continually around the towers until they collide with the guy wires, the tower structure, each other or plummet to the ground from exhaustion. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service conservatively estimates that four to five million birds may die each year in this manner but that the number could be much higher - up to 40 to 50 million. In one instance, more than 10,000 dead birds were found under a single communication tower in one night. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is considering a new rule to prevent these unnecessary deaths of migratory birds caused by collisions with the more than 90,000 lighted communications towers across the United States. American Bird Conservancy (ABC), which has led the campaign to make towers safer for birds, is supporting the use of lighting technologies that reduce attraction of the birds to the towers. *Please editorialize in support of the FCC's proposed rulemaking to put an end to a problem that is causing avoidable harm to millions of birds each year. Public comments are being accepted until April 23.* The FCC is seeking public comment on the effects of communication towers on migratory birds, as well as on the measures the agency is proposing to reduce migratory bird collisions. The FCC has tentatively concluded that for any newly constructed or modified communication tower, medium intensity white or red strobe lights are preferred over red continuous or slow-pulsing "obstruction" lighting systems. This conclusion, supported by scientific studies (see A Scientific Review of Tower Bird Kill Data ), is consistent with interim guidelines released in 2005 by the Federal Aviation Administration, the agency that governs aircraft safety. Action should also be taken regarding the lighting of existing towers. ABC supports requiring that medium intensity white or red strobe lights be installed. The FCC's comment period ends April 23. To comment, visit www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs and submit a filing with the Proceeding Number "WT 03-187." Include your full name, mailing address, and the Proceeding Number in the body of your message. A copy of the NRPM is available on the FCC Web site at: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-06-164A1.doc For additional information please see: Communication Towers: A Deadly Hazard to Birds Report: A Scientific Review of Tower Bird Kill Data U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Fact Sheet on Bird Mortality Steve Holmer Director of Public Relations American Bird Conservancy 202/234-7181 ext. 216 or 202/744-6459 (cell) sholmer AT abcbirds.org www.abcbirds.org