The Official Web Site of the State of South Carolina

Telecommunication Tower 106 Process

The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) reviews new telecommunication tower constructions and collocations that receive a license from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended. Review procedures for FCC undertakings are stipulated in the Nationwide Programmatic Agreement Regarding the Section 106 National Historic Preservation Act Review Process (Nationwide PA), signed in 2004, and the Nationwide Programmatic Agreement for the Collocation of Wireless Antennas (Collocation PA), signed in 2001.

Please see the FCC’s website for links to both Nationwide PA's, FCC Form 620 and Form 621, and additional information on Section 106 review.

SHPO Requirements

  • The SHPO requires cell tower clients and their consultants to provide a completed FCC Form 620 or 621 with attachments to ensure that all of the necessary information has been submitted for consultation. The Nationwide PA's makes use of these forms mandatory for consultation between applicants and the SHPO on FCC undertakings that are not excluded from Section 106 review.
  • We do not require a Section 106 Project Review Form for telecommunication tower projects as long as a FCC Form 620 or 621 is completed.
  • We do participate in the FCC’s online E-106/TCNS system. Please do not send us hardcopies if you use the system.
  • Additional Consulting Parties – Please provide a description of measures taken to contact other interested parties. The SHPO requires that contact be made with owners of historic properties within the areas of potential effects (APEs) and local historical or preservation groups in the project area. A list of potential local groups organized by county is available by accessing our Directory of South Carolina's Local History, Historic Preservation, and Cultural Organizations (PDF).
  • Areas of Potential Effects (APEs) – Please provide descriptions of the APEs for direct and visual effects and an explanation of how each has been determined. 
  • Assessment of Effects on Identified Historic Properties – We recommend submittal of a balloon test or computer simulations showing potential visual effects of proposed towers on identified historic properties. SHPO staff, historic property owners, and any interested consulting parties should be extended an invitation to observe the balloon test. 
  • Photographs – Please provide photographs of any historic properties identified within the APEs, and photographs of balloon tests or computer simulations taken from historic properties toward the tower site. Photographs should be keyed to a location map. Balloon test photographs should indicate the height of the proposed tower utilizing an arrow.
  • Maps – Please provide SC ArchSite (GIS) maps showing the tower location, the APEs for direct effects and visual effects, and any historic properties identified during the background research or comment process.