Electromagnetic Compatibility and National Forest Public Lands

Public lands under the jurisdiction of the United States Forest Service include mountain peaks which overlook metropolitan areas and which are singularly suited for radio transmitter and receiver sites. These favored mountaintops have become concentrated electromagnetic environments, raising interrelated problems of electromagnetic compatibility and public land use. The Forest Service has the responsibility for land use, including protection of the investment equity of existing users. The responsibility for spectrum management lies with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Interdepartment Radio Advisory Committee (IRAC) of the Office of Director of Telecommunications Management. All electromagnetic compatibility problems must be worked out between the various users of the site. These problems, with existing and proposed practices to help in their solution, are discussed.