81 FR 10575 - Telecommunications Program: Notice of Availability of a Programmatic Environmental Assessment
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 40 (March 1, 2016)
Rural Utilities Service
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 40 (March 1, 2016)
| Page Range | 10575-10576 | |
| FR Document | 2016-04381 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 40 (Tuesday, March 1, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 10575-10576] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-04381] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Utilities Service Telecommunications Program: Notice of Availability of a Programmatic Environmental Assessment AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of Availability of a Programmatic Environmental Assessment of USDA Rural Utilities Service's Financial Support for Deployment of the Telecommunications Programs to Rural America. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS, Agency), an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture, seeks public and federal agency comments regarding the preparation of a Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) for the development of a more efficient and effective environmental review process for the RUS Telecommunications Program--an environmental review process that is commensurate with the potential environmental impacts of both wired and wireless broadband projects financed by the Agency. RUS is seeking comment from interested stakeholders regarding compliance with relevant laws and regulations, including the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), Endangered Species Act (ESA) and other environmental statutes, regulations, and Executive Orders applicable to the RUS Telecommunications Infrastructure Loan Program, Farm Bill Broadband Loan Program, Community Connect Grant Program, and Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program (collectively, the Telecommunications Program). The proposed review process supports the Agency's mission of facilitating the development of affordable and reliable [[Page 10576]] broadband infrastructure to improve the quality of life and promote economic development in rural America. The Agency programs provide a necessary source of low-cost capital for rural telecommunications companies (broadband, wireless, and fiber-to-the-home providers). RUS actions covered in the PEA include certain Agency preliminary decisions (such as obligation of funds and approval of interim financing requests) to eligible applicants for project proposals within eligible service areas. In accordance with NEPA, NHPA, ESA, and other applicable environmental statutes, regulations, and Executive Orders, RUS must evaluate the environmental impact of project proposals before providing financial assistance to eligible applicants. The PEA provides a broad environmental analysis of the Agency's preliminary decisions and includes a tiered, site-specific analysis at the project level that would be completed before Agency dispersal of funds and/or applicant construction. DATES: Written comments on the PEA must be received on or March 31, 2016. ADDRESSES: Please submit written comments by physical mail or electronic mail to: Mr. Richard Fristik, Senior Environmental Protection Specialist, Water and Environmental Programs/Engineering and Environmental Staff, Rural Utilities Service, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Mail Stop 1571, Room 2240, Washington, DC 20250, fax: (202) 690- 0649, or email: [email protected]. To obtain copies of the PEA or for further information, contact: Mr. Richard Fristik at the contact information provided in this Notice. A copy of the PEA is available for downloading through the Rural Development homepage at: http://www.rd.usda.gov/publications/environmental-studies/assessments/programmatic-environmental-assessment. Additional information about the Agency and its programs is available on the Internet at http://www.rd.usda.gov/. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on the proposed PEA, please contact Mr. Richard Fristik, Senior Environmental Protection Specialist, Water and Environmental Programs/Engineering and Environmental Staff, Rural Utilities Service, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Mail Stop 1571, Room 2240, Washington, DC 20250, telephone: (202) 720-5093, fax: (202) 690-0649, or email: [email protected]. Parties wishing to be placed on the PEA's mailing list for future information and to receive copies of the PEA should also contact Mr. Fristik. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The RUS Telecommunications Program provides a variety of loans and grants to build and expand broadband networks in rural America. Loans to build broadband networks and deliver service to households and businesses in rural communities provide a necessary source of capital for rural telecommunications companies. Grant funding is awarded based on a number of factors relating to the benefits to be derived from the proposed broadband network project, as specified in applicable program regulations. Eligible applicants for RUS loans and grants include for-profit and non-profit entities, tribes, municipalities, and cooperatives. The Agency particularly encourages investment in tribal and economically disadvantaged areas. Through low-cost funding for telecommunications infrastructure, rural residents can have access to services that will close the digital divide between rural and urban communities. Once funds are awarded, RUS monitors the projects to make sure they are completed in accordance with program conditions and requirements. The application process for requesting financial assistance for the various Telecommunications programs varies slightly from a competitive grant program, individual project proposals, or multi-year ``loan design'' applications. The Agency seeks to synchronize and create environmental review efficiencies for future project-level environmental review compliance for the various programs, commensurate with the potential environmental impacts. The Agency also seeks to establish proper sequencing of certain agency preliminary decisions (i.e., obligation of funds and/or approval of interim financing requests) with subsequent tiered, site-specific project environmental reviews. The PEA is intended to expedite the funding, deployment, and expansion of broadband infrastructure in rural America. The PEA includes detailed descriptions and analyses of the direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts associated with broadband infrastructure technologies and construction methods, such as impacts to water resources, terrestrial resources, historic and cultural resources, air and climate resources, noise, threatened and endangered species, electromagnetic radiation, and Environmental Justice issues. Use of the PEA analyses thereby saves project-level processing time, ensuring consistent and accurate environmental evaluations while avoiding unnecessary duplication and repetition in project-level planning and evaluation. Use of the PEA enables project-level compliance with NEPA, ESA, NHPA, and other requirements to focus on the remaining relevant site-specific issues, expediting planning, analysis, compliance, documentation, and ultimately project-level decisions. The PEA is available for public review at the digital and physical addresses provided in this Notice. Questions and comments should be sent to RUS at the mailing or email addresses provided in this Notice. RUS should receive written comments on the PEA on or before March 31, 2016 to ensure that they are considered in its environmental impact determination. Any final action by RUS related to the broadband portion of the RUS Telecommunications Program will be subject to, and contingent upon, compliance with all relevant presidential executive orders and federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations in addition to the completion of the environmental review requirements as prescribed in RUS's Environmental Policies and Procedures, 7 CFR part 1794, as amended. Dated: February 16, 2016. Keith B. Adams Assistant Administrator--Telecommunications Program, Rural Utilities Service. [FR Doc. 2016-04381 Filed 2-29-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P
![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 40 / Tuesday, March 1, 2016 / Notices 10575
following geographic area, in the States to State Route 21; State Route 21 south In Nebraska
of Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, and to State Route 8; State Route 8 west to
Cedar, Dakota, Dixon, Pierce (north of
South Dakota, is assigned to this official U.S. Route 63; U.S. Route 63 south to
U.S. Route 20), and Thurston Counties.
agency. Interstate 80; Interstate 80 east to the
Poweshiek County line; the eastern In South Dakota
In Iowa
Poweshiek, Mahaska, Monroe, and Bounded on the North by State Route
Bounded on the North by the northern Appanoose County lines;
Iowa State line from the Big Sioux River 44 (U.S. 18) east to State Route 11; State
Bounded on the South by the
east to U.S. Route 169. Route 11 south to A54B; A54B east to
southern Appanoose, Wayne, Decatur,
Bounded on the East by U.S. Route the Big Sioux River.
Ringgold, and Taylor County lines.
169 south to State Route 9; State Route Bounded on the West by the western Bounded on the East by the Big Sioux
9 west to U.S. Route 169; U.S. Route 169 Taylor County line; the southern River.
south to the northern Humboldt County Montgomery County line west to State Bounded on the South and West by
line; the Humboldt County line east to Route 48; State Route 48 north to M47; the Missouri River.
State Route 17; State Route 17 south to M47 north to the Montgomery County The following grain elevators are part
C54; C54 east to U.S. route 69; U.S. line; the northern Montgomery County of this geographic area assignment. In D.
Route 69 south to the northern Hamilton line; The western Cass and Audubon R. Schaal Agency’s area: Maxyield
County line; northern Hamilton County County Lines; the northern Audubon Coop, Algona, Kossuth County;
line east to Interstate 35; Interstate 35 County line east to U.S. Route 71; U.S. Stateline Coop, Burt, Kossuth County;
northeast to C55; C55 east to S41; S41 Route 71 north to the southern Sac and Gold-Eagle, Goldfield, Wright County;
north to State Route 3; State Route 3 to Ida County lines; the eastern Monona North Central Coop, Holmes, Wright
east U.S. Route 65; U.S. Route 65 north County line south to State Route 37; County, Iowa; Advantage F.S., Chapin,
to C25; C25 east to S56; S56 north to State Route 37 west to State Route 175; Franklin County; and Five Star Coop,
C23; C23 east to T47; T47 south to C33; State Route 175 west to the Missouri Rockwell, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa.
C33 east to T64; T64 north to B60; B60 River; and by the Missouri River north The following grain elevators are not
east to U.S. Route 218; U.S. Route 218 to the Big Sioux River; the Big Sioux part of this geographic area assignment
north to Chickasaw County; the western River north to the northern Iowa State and are assigned to Omaha Grain
Chickasaw County line; and the western line. Inspection Service, Inc.: Scoular
and northern Howard County lines. Elevator, Elliot, Montgomery County
Bounded on the East by the Eastern In Minnesota and two Scoular elevators, Griswold,
Howard and Chickasaw County lines; Yellow Medicine, Renville, Lincoln, Cass County, Iowa.
the eastern and southern Bremer County Lyon, Redwood, Pipestone, Murray, Interested persons may obtain official
lines; V49 south to State Route 297; Cottonwood, Rock, Nobles, Jackson, and services by contacting these agencies at
State Route 297 south to D38; D38 west Martin Counties. the following telephone numbers:
Designation Designation
Official agency Headquarters location and telephone start end
Farwell Southwest ........................... Casa Grande, AZ—(520) 421–1027 ......................................................... 4/1/2015 3/31/2017
Jamestown ....................................... Jamestown, ND—(701) 252–1290 ............................................................ 4/1/2015 3/31/2018
Lincoln .............................................. Lincoln, NE—(402) 435–4386 ................................................................... 4/1/2015 3/31/2018
Midsouth .......................................... Memphis, TN—(901) 942–3216 ................................................................ 4/1/2015 3/31/2018
Sioux City ......................................... Sioux City, IA—(712) 255–8073 ............................................................... 4/1/2015 3/31/2017
Section 79(f) of the USGSA authorizes DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE RUS Telecommunications Program—an
the Secretary to designate a qualified environmental review process that is
applicant to provide official services in Rural Utilities Service commensurate with the potential
a specified area after determining that environmental impacts of both wired
Telecommunications Program: Notice and wireless broadband projects
the applicant is better able than any
of Availability of a Programmatic financed by the Agency. RUS is seeking
other applicant to provide such official
Environmental Assessment comment from interested stakeholders
services (7 U.S.C. 79 (f)).
AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA. regarding compliance with relevant
Under Section 79(g) of the USGSA,
ACTION: Notice of Availability of a laws and regulations, including the
designations of official agencies are
Programmatic Environmental National Environmental Policy Act
effective for no longer than three years
Assessment of USDA Rural Utilities (NEPA), National Historic Preservation
unless terminated by the Secretary; Act (NHPA), Endangered Species Act
however, designations may be renewed Service’s Financial Support for
Deployment of the Telecommunications (ESA) and other environmental statutes,
according to the criteria and procedures regulations, and Executive Orders
prescribed in Section 79(f) of the Programs to Rural America.
applicable to the RUS
USGSA. SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service Telecommunications Infrastructure
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 71–87k. (RUS, Agency), an agency of the United Loan Program, Farm Bill Broadband
States Department of Agriculture, seeks Loan Program, Community Connect
Larry Mitchell, public and federal agency comments Grant Program, and Distance Learning
Administrator, Grain Inspection, Packers and regarding the preparation of a and Telemedicine Program (collectively,
Stockyards Administration. Programmatic Environmental the Telecommunications Program). The
[FR Doc. 2016–04457 Filed 2–29–16; 8:45 am] Assessment (PEA) for the development proposed review process supports the
BILLING CODE 3410–KD–P of a more efficient and effective Agency’s mission of facilitating the
environmental review process for the development of affordable and reliable
VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:18 Feb 29, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\01MRN1.SGM 01MRN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/81_FR_10615/page/1.svg)
![10576 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 40 / Tuesday, March 1, 2016 / Notices
broadband infrastructure to improve the to receive copies of the PEA should also environmental evaluations while
quality of life and promote economic contact Mr. Fristik. avoiding unnecessary duplication and
development in rural America. The SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The RUS repetition in project-level planning and
Agency programs provide a necessary Telecommunications Program provides evaluation. Use of the PEA enables
source of low-cost capital for rural a variety of loans and grants to build project-level compliance with NEPA,
telecommunications companies and expand broadband networks in ESA, NHPA, and other requirements to
(broadband, wireless, and fiber-to-the- rural America. Loans to build focus on the remaining relevant site-
home providers). RUS actions covered broadband networks and deliver service specific issues, expediting planning,
in the PEA include certain Agency to households and businesses in rural analysis, compliance, documentation,
preliminary decisions (such as communities provide a necessary source and ultimately project-level decisions.
obligation of funds and approval of of capital for rural telecommunications The PEA is available for public review
interim financing requests) to eligible companies. Grant funding is awarded at the digital and physical addresses
applicants for project proposals within based on a number of factors relating to provided in this Notice. Questions and
eligible service areas. In accordance the benefits to be derived from the comments should be sent to RUS at the
with NEPA, NHPA, ESA, and other proposed broadband network project, as mailing or email addresses provided in
applicable environmental statutes, specified in applicable program this Notice. RUS should receive written
regulations, and Executive Orders, RUS regulations. comments on the PEA on or before
must evaluate the environmental impact Eligible applicants for RUS loans and March 31, 2016 to ensure that they are
of project proposals before providing grants include for-profit and non-profit considered in its environmental impact
financial assistance to eligible entities, tribes, municipalities, and determination.
applicants. The PEA provides a broad cooperatives. The Agency particularly Any final action by RUS related to the
environmental analysis of the Agency’s encourages investment in tribal and broadband portion of the RUS
preliminary decisions and includes a economically disadvantaged areas. Telecommunications Program will be
tiered, site-specific analysis at the Through low-cost funding for subject to, and contingent upon,
project level that would be completed telecommunications infrastructure, rural compliance with all relevant
before Agency dispersal of funds and/or residents can have access to services presidential executive orders and
applicant construction. that will close the digital divide federal, state, and local environmental
DATES: Written comments on the PEA between rural and urban communities. laws and regulations in addition to the
must be received on or March 31, 2016. Once funds are awarded, RUS monitors completion of the environmental review
ADDRESSES: Please submit written the projects to make sure they are requirements as prescribed in RUS’s
comments by physical mail or electronic completed in accordance with program Environmental Policies and Procedures,
mail to: Mr. Richard Fristik, Senior conditions and requirements. 7 CFR part 1794, as amended.
Environmental Protection Specialist, The application process for requesting Dated: February 16, 2016.
Water and Environmental Programs/ financial assistance for the various Keith B. Adams
Engineering and Environmental Staff, Telecommunications programs varies Assistant Administrator—
Rural Utilities Service, 1400 slightly from a competitive grant Telecommunications Program, Rural Utilities
Independence Ave. SW., Mail Stop program, individual project proposals, Service.
1571, Room 2240, Washington, DC or multi-year ‘‘loan design’’ [FR Doc. 2016–04381 Filed 2–29–16; 8:45 am]
20250, fax: (202) 690–0649, or email: applications. The Agency seeks to BILLING CODE P
Richard.Fristik@wdc.usda.gov. synchronize and create environmental
To obtain copies of the PEA or for review efficiencies for future project-
further information, contact: Mr. level environmental review compliance DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Richard Fristik at the contact for the various programs, commensurate
information provided in this Notice. A with the potential environmental [Docket No. 151109999–6121–02]
copy of the PEA is available for impacts. The Agency also seeks to
downloading through the Rural Privacy Act of 1974, New System of
establish proper sequencing of certain
Development homepage at: http:// Records
agency preliminary decisions (i.e.,
www.rd.usda.gov/publications/ obligation of funds and/or approval of AGENCY: National Oceanic and
environmental-studies/assessments/ interim financing requests) with Atmospheric Administration, U.S.
programmatic-environmental- subsequent tiered, site-specific project Department of Commerce.
assessment. Additional information environmental reviews. ACTION: Notice of a New Privacy Act
about the Agency and its programs is The PEA is intended to expedite the System of Records: COMMERCE/
available on the Internet at http:// funding, deployment, and expansion of NOAA–22, NOAA Health Services
www.rd.usda.gov/. broadband infrastructure in rural Questionnaire (NHSQ) and Tuberculosis
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For America. The PEA includes detailed Screening Document (TSD).
information on the proposed PEA, descriptions and analyses of the direct,
please contact Mr. Richard Fristik, indirect, and cumulative impacts SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce
Senior Environmental Protection associated with broadband publishes this notice to announce the
Specialist, Water and Environmental infrastructure technologies and effective date of a Privacy Act System of
Programs/Engineering and construction methods, such as impacts Records entitled COMMERCE/NOAA–
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Environmental Staff, Rural Utilities to water resources, terrestrial resources, 22, NOAA Health Services
Service, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., historic and cultural resources, air and Questionnaire (NHSQ) and Tuberculosis
Mail Stop 1571, Room 2240, climate resources, noise, threatened and Screening Document (TSD).
Washington, DC 20250, telephone: (202) endangered species, electromagnetic DATES: The system of records becomes
720–5093, fax: (202) 690–0649, or email: radiation, and Environmental Justice effective on March 1, 2016.
Richard.Fristik@wdc.usda.gov. Parties issues. Use of the PEA analyses thereby ADDRESSES: For a copy of the system of
wishing to be placed on the PEA’s saves project-level processing time, records, please mail requests to: Sarah
mailing list for future information and ensuring consistent and accurate Brabson, NOAA Office of the Chief
VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:18 Feb 29, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\01MRN1.SGM 01MRN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/81_FR_10615/page/2.svg)
Document Created: 2018-02-02 15:00:19
Document Modified: 2018-02-02 15:00:19
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice of Availability of a Programmatic Environmental Assessment of USDA Rural Utilities Service's Financial Support for Deployment of the Telecommunications Programs to Rural America. | |
| Dates | Written comments on the PEA must be received on or March 31, 2016. | |
| Contact | For information on the proposed PEA, please contact Mr. Richard Fristik, Senior Environmental Protection Specialist, Water and Environmental Programs/Engineering and Environmental Staff, Rural Utilities Service, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Mail Stop 1571, Room 2240, Washington, DC 20250, telephone: (202) 720-5093, fax: (202) 690-0649, or email: [email protected] Parties wishing to be placed on the PEA's mailing list for future information and to receive copies of the PEA should also contact Mr. Fristik. | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 10575 |
2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR