LANSING, August 16.  The Michigan Public Service Commission
today commended MPSC staff, telecommunications providers, municipalities
and other interested parties for their participation in a collaborative process
addressing public rights-of-way by telecommunications providers that resulted
in a cover letter, an application for a permit and a unilateral permit and a
bilateral permit.  On October 24, 2000, the Commission had directed MPSC
staff to commence a collaborative process to facilitate the implementation of
provisions of the Michigan Telecommunications Act regarding the use of
public rights-of-way by telecommunications providers.  Interested parties were
asked to participate in the process on a voluntary and non-prejudicial basis to
their respective legal positions.

     "The Commission endorses and encourages the voluntary use of the
model rights-of-way forms, as reasonable compromises created by
knowledgeable representatives of the key stakeholders," said Chairman Laura
Chappelle.  "We believe the model documents to be more consistent with the
legislative intent than most documents currently in use, and also believe that
the use of these forms will generally provide a 'safe harbor' that is less likely
to produce conflict and disputes than the use of other forms.  We endorse and
encourage the use of these forms in the hopes of standardizing and
streamlining the process for telecommunications providers to secure access to
and use of public rights-of-way in Michigan."

     The MPSC is an agency within the Department of Consumer and
Industry Services.


Minute Action
August 16, 2001
(MPSC commends collaborative process addressing public rights-of-way)