Telecom industry sees merit in Commerce Dept. plan to appoint com...

Telecom industry sees merit in Commerce Dept. plan to appoint commercial and environmental stakeholders to Marine Protected Area Advisory Committee, measure that could balance nation’s conservation needs with deployment of submarine fiber systems, industry source said. Commerce Secy. Donald Evans said Mon. that White House had decided to retain Exec. Order 13,158, issued last year by Clinton Administration to coordinate nationwide marine sanctuary initiatives. Commerce in Jan. nominated 26 members representing federal, state and local resource management, science, policy and commercial interests. Nominees will serve on board pending security clearances and final review by Commerce Secy. “Conservation can be balanced with commercial and recreational activity,” Evans said. Panel, which will provide advice to Executive Branch without setting policy, could start useful dialog among stakeholders, industry source said. However, industry will monitor committee’s activities closely to ascertain whether it reaches “wrong” conclusions that might have negative impact on submarine fiber deployment, he said. Network operators had opportunity to apply for representation on panel, but didn’t see it as germane to telecom policy, source said. Govt.’s request last Aug. for nominations preceded related marine sanctuary policy developments that since have caught attention of industry, notably NOAA’s proposal (CD May 2 p4) to sell 25-year cable permits in protected areas for upfront $120,000 per mile of right-of-way fee, he said.