FairPoint Communications 2009 Annual Report Download - page 43

Table of Contents
Local Government Authorizations
We may be required to obtain from municipal authorities permits for street opening and construction or operating franchises to install and expand
facilities in certain communities. If we enter into the video markets, municipal franchises may be required for us to operate as a cable television provider.
Some of these franchises may require the payment of franchise fees. We have historically obtained municipal franchises as required. In some areas, we
will not need to obtain permits or franchises because the subcontractors or electric utilities with which we will have contracts already possess the
requisite authorizations to construct or expand our networks. In association with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, there may be
an increase in our requirements associated with road move requests pursuant to new funding for roads. It is not certain whether funding will be
available to us for this potential obligation.
Environmental Regulations
Like all other local telephone companies, our 33 LEC subsidiaries are subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations governing the use,
storage, disposal of and exposure to hazardous materials, the release of pollutants into the environment and the remediation of contamination. As an
owner of property, we could be subject to environmental laws that impose liability for the entire cost of cleanup at contaminated sites, regardless of fault
or the lawfulness of the activity that resulted in contamination. We believe, however, that our operations are in substantial compliance with applicable
environmental laws and regulations.
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We make available on our website, www.fairpoint.com, our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on
Form 8-K and all amendments to such reports as soon as reasonably practical after we file such material with, or furnish such material to, the SEC. Our
filings with the SEC are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC's website at , or at the SEC's public reference room located at
100 F Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference
room.
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Any of the following risks could materially adversely affect our business, consolidated financial condition, results of operations or liquidity or the
market price of our common stock. The risks described below are not the only risks facing us. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to
us or that we currently deem to be immaterial may also materially and adversely affect our business operations.
Risks Related to the Chapter 11 Cases
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
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Risks and uncertainties associated with the Chapter 11 Cases include the following:
•our ability to prosecute, confirm and consummate the Plan;
•the actions and decisions of our creditors and other third parties who have interests in the Chapter 11 Cases that may be inconsistent with
our plans;
•our ability to obtain and maintain financing necessary to carry out our operations;
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