Federal Register #2026-21347

FCC seeks comments on historic-preservation and environmental reviews for communications infrastructure

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is seeking public input on environmental and historic-preservation reviews for communications infrastructure. - Government buyer: Federal Communications Commission (FCC); no sub-agency or office is specified. - Purpose: The FCC issued a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking comments on its National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) framework, including implementation of section 106. - Topics for input: How “undertaking” applies to communications infrastructure deployment and operation; ways to make historic-preservation reviews more efficient and predictable; consultation and review timelines; batching applications; existing non-compliant towers; and restoring infrastructure after emergencies. - Additional environmental review: The FCC asks whether communications infrastructure deployments constitute agency actions under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). - Consultation considerations: The notice addresses procedures involving Tribal Nations and Native Hawaiian Organizations. - Products, services, OEMs, and vendors: None requested or identified.

Description

The Federal Communications Commission seeks additional comment on its National Historic Preservation Act framework to expedite, simplify, and reduce the costs of environmental review. The Commission requests comment on the meaning of “undertaking,” implementation of NHPA section 106, and whether communications infrastructure deployment and operation fall within that framework. It also seeks input on practices to improve the efficiency and predictability of the section 106 process, including review timelines and procedures for infrastructure deployment and restoration. The Commission additionally requests comment on whether communications infrastructure deployments are agency actions subject to the Endangered Species Act.

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