Federal Register #2026-06393

Regulatory Amendment: Section 106 Review Streamlining for Federal Wireless Communications Projects

This notice announces regulatory amendments by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) affecting federal agency procedures for telecommunications infrastructure projects: - The Program Comment for Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act is amended to: - Extend its duration to September 30, 2030 - Add the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to the list of covered agencies - Covered agencies now include: - Rural Utilities Service (RUS) - National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) - Department of Homeland Security (DHS) - Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) - Federal Transit Administration (FTA) - First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) - Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) - Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) - These agencies can avoid duplicative Section 106 reviews for wireless communications facilities construction and modification projects already reviewed or exempted by the FCC - The amendments clarify the process for future changes and reporting requirements - No products or services are being procured; this is a regulatory update, not a solicitation

Description

The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) has issued amendments to the Program Comment that streamlines Section 106 review under the National Historic Preservation Act for telecommunications projects already reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission. The amendments extend the Program Comment's duration to September 30, 2030, and add the Department of Veterans Affairs to the list of agencies covered. This allows these agencies to avoid duplicative historic preservation reviews for wireless communications facilities construction and modification projects.

View original listing