81 FR 71044 - Notice of Availability of a Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for the South Region of the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network and Notice of Public Meetings
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Telecommunications and Information Administration
First Responder Network Authority Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 199 (October 14, 2016)
National Telecommunications and Information Administration
First Responder Network Authority
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 199 (October 14, 2016)
| Page Range | 71044-71045 | |
| FR Document | 2016-24906 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 199 (Friday, October 14, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 71044-71045] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-24906] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Telecommunications and Information Administration First Responder Network Authority [Docket Number: 160929903-6903-01] RIN 0660-XC032 Notice of Availability of a Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for the South Region of the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network and Notice of Public Meetings AGENCY: First Responder Network Authority, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. ACTION: Announcement of availability of a draft programmatic environmental impact statement and of public meetings. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The First Responder Network Authority (``FirstNet'') announces the availability of the Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for the South Region (``Draft PEIS''). FirstNet also announces a series of public meetings to be held throughout the South Region to receive comments on the Draft PEIS. The Draft PEIS evaluates the potential environmental impacts of the proposed nationwide public safety broadband network in the South Region, composed of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. DATES: Submit comments on the Draft PEIS for the South Region on or before December 13, 2016. FirstNet will also hold public meetings in each of the 13 states. See SUPPLMENTARY INFORMATION section for meeting dates. ADDRESSES: At any time during the public comment period, members of the public, public agencies, and other interested parties are encouraged to submit written comments, questions, and concerns about the project for FirstNet's consideration or to attend any of the public meetings. Written comments may be submitted electronically via www.regulations.gov, FIRSTNET-2016-0005, or by mail to Genevieve Walker, Director of Environmental Compliance, First Responder Network Authority, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, M/S 243, Reston, VA 20192. Comments received will be made a part of the public record and may be posted to FirstNet's Web site (www.firstnet.gov) without change. Comments should be machine readable and should not be copy-protected. All personally identifiable information (e.g., name, address) voluntarily submitted by the commenter may be publicly accessible. Do not submit confidential business information or otherwise sensitive or protected information. The Draft PEIS is available for download from www.regulations.gov, FIRSTNET-2016-0005. A CD containing the electronic files of this document is also available at public libraries (see Chapter 21 of the Draft PEIS for the complete distribution list). See SUPPLMENTARY INFORMATION section for public meeting addresses. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For more information on the Draft PEIS, contact Genevieve Walker, Director of Environmental Compliance, First Responder Network Authority, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, M/S 243, Reston, VA 20192. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Public Meetings Attendees can obtain information regarding the project and/or submit a comment in person during public meetings. The meeting details are as follows:Nashville, Tennessee: October 24, 2016, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Hermitage Hotel, 231 6th Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37219 [[Page 71045]] Atlanta, Georgia: October 25, 2016, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Glenn Hotel, 110 Marietta Street NW., Atlanta, GA 30303 Frankfort, Kentucky: October 25, 2016, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Hampton Inn Frankfort, 1310 U.S. Highway 127S, Frankfort, KY 40601 Morrisville (Raleigh Area), North Carolina: October 26, 2016, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Morrisville Fire Station 1, 200 Town Hall Drive, Training Room, Morrisville, NC 27560 Montgomery, Alabama: October 26, 2016, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa at the Convention Center, 201 Tallapoosa Street, Montgomery, AL 36104 Orlando, Florida: October 27, 2016, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Courtyard by Marriott Orlando Downtown, 730 N. Magnolia Avenue, Orlando, FL 32803 Columbia, South Carolina: October 27, 2016, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., SpringHill Suites Columbia Downtown, 511 Lady Street, Columbia, SC 29201 Baton Rouge, Louisiana: November 1, 2016, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Louisiana State Police Training Academy, Classroom No. 5, 7919 Independence Boulevard, Baton Rouge, LA 70806 Sante Fe, New Mexico: November 1, 2016, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Hilton Sante Fe Historic Plaza, 100 Sandoval Street, Santa Fe, NM 87501 Jackson Mississippi: November 2, 2016, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Jackson Marriott, 200 E Amite Street, Jackson, MS 39201 Little Rock, Arkansas: November 3, 2016, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Arkansas State Capitol, 500 Woodlane Street, Room 130, Little Rock, AR 72201 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: November 3, 2016, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., OKC-County Health Department, Northeast Regional Health Wellness Campus, 2600 NE 63rd Street, Auditorium, Oklahoma City, OK 73111 Austin, Texas: November 7, 2016, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., The W Austin Hotel, 200 Lavaca Street, Austin, TX 78701 Dallas, Texas: November 9, 2016, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Hyatt Regency Dallas, 300 Reunion Boulevard East, Dallas, TX 75207 Background The Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (Pub. L. 112-96, Title VI, 126 Stat. 156 (codified at 47 U.S.C. 1401 et seq.)) (the ``Act'') created and authorized FirstNet to take all actions necessary to ensure the building, deployment, and operation of an interoperable, nationwide public safety broadband network (``NPSBN'') based on a single, national network architecture. The Act meets a longstanding and critical national infrastructure need, to create a single, nationwide network that will, for the first time, allow police officers, fire fighters, emergency medical service professionals, and other public safety entities to effectively communicate with each other across agencies and jurisdictions. The NPSBN is intended to enhance the ability of the public safety community to perform more reliably, effectively, and safely; increase situational awareness during an emergency; and improve the ability of the public safety community to effectively engage in those critical activities. The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321-4347) (``NEPA'') requires federal agencies to undertake an assessment of environmental effects of their proposed actions prior to making a final decision and implementing the action. NEPA requirements apply to any federal project, decision, or action that may have a significant impact on the quality of the human environment. NEPA also establishes the Council on Environmental Quality (``CEQ''), which issued regulations implementing the procedural provisions of NEPA (see 40 CFR parts 1500- 1508). Among other considerations, CEQ regulations at 40 CFR 1508.28 recommend the use of tiering from a ``broader environmental impact statement (such as a national program or policy statements) with subsequent narrower statements or environmental analysis (such as regional or basin wide statements or ultimately site-specific statements) incorporating by reference the general discussions and concentrating solely on the issues specific to the statement subsequently prepared.'' Due to the geographic scope of FirstNet (all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and five territories) and the diversity of ecosystems potentially traversed by the project, FirstNet has elected to prepare five regional PEISs. The five PEISs were divided into the East, Central, West, South, and Non-Contiguous Regions. The South Region includes Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. The Draft PEIS analyzes potential impacts of the deployment and operation of the NPSBN on the natural and human environment in the South Region, in accordance with FirstNet's responsibilities under NEPA. Next Steps All comments received by the public and any interested stakeholders will be evaluated and considered by FirstNet during the preparation of the Final PEIS. Once a PEIS is completed and a Record of Decision (ROD) is signed, FirstNet will evaluate site-specific documentation, as network design is developed, to determine if the proposed project has been adequately evaluated in the PEIS or warrants a Categorical Exclusion, an Environmental Assessment, or an Environmental Impact Statement. Dated: October 11, 2016. Elijah Veenendaal, Attorney--Advisor, First Responder Network Authority. [FR Doc. 2016-24906 Filed 10-13-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-TL-P
![71044 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 199 / Friday, October 14, 2016 / Notices
I. Abstract of the functions of the agency, including Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina,
The U.S. Census Bureau plans to whether the information shall have Tennessee, and Texas.
request a three-year extension of the practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the DATES: Submit comments on the Draft
current Office of Management and agency’s estimate of the burden PEIS for the South Region on or before
Budget (OMB) clearance of the (including hours and cost) of the December 13, 2016. FirstNet will also
Questionnaire for Building Permit proposed collection of information; (c) hold public meetings in each of the 13
Official (SOC–QBPO). The Census ways to enhance the quality, utility, and states. See SUPPLMENTARY INFORMATION
Bureau uses the Computer-Assisted clarity of the information to be section for meeting dates.
Personal Interviewing (CAPI) electronic collected; and (d) ways to minimize the
ADDRESSES: At any time during the
questionnaire SOC–QBPO to collect burden of the collection of information
on respondents, including through the public comment period, members of the
information from state and local public, public agencies, and other
building permit officials on: (1) The use of automated collection techniques
or other forms of information interested parties are encouraged to
types of permits they issue, (2) the submit written comments, questions,
length of time a permit is valid, (3) how technology.
Comments submitted in response to and concerns about the project for
they store permits, and (4) the FirstNet’s consideration or to attend any
geographic coverage of the permit this notice will be summarized and/or
included in the request for OMB of the public meetings. Written
system. We need this information to comments may be submitted
carry out the sampling for the Survey of approval of this information collection;
they also will become a matter of public electronically via www.regulations.gov,
Housing Starts, Sales, and Completions FIRSTNET–2016–0005, or by mail to
(OMB number 0607–0110), also known record.
Genevieve Walker, Director of
as Survey of Construction (SOC). The Sheleen Dumas, Environmental Compliance, First
SOC provides widely used measures of Departmental PRA Lead, Office of the Chief Responder Network Authority, National
construction activity, including the Information Officer. Telecommunications and Information
economic indicators Housing Starts, [FR Doc. 2016–24819 Filed 10–13–16; 8:45 am] Administration, U.S. Department of
Housing Completions, and New BILLING CODE 3510–07–P Commerce, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive,
Housing Sales. M/S 243, Reston, VA 20192. Comments
The current OMB clearance is received will be made a part of the
scheduled to expire on May 31, 2017. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE public record and may be posted to
We will continue to use the current FirstNet’s Web site (www.firstnet.gov)
CAPI questionnaire with minor National Telecommunications and without change. Comments should be
revisions to question verbiage and Information Administration machine readable and should not be
questionnaire flow. The overall length copy-protected. All personally
of the interview will not change. The First Responder Network Authority identifiable information (e.g., name,
sample size will slightly change due to address) voluntarily submitted by the
an increase in the number of local [Docket Number: 160929903–6903–01]
commenter may be publicly accessible.
governments that issue building Do not submit confidential business
permits. RIN 0660–XC032
information or otherwise sensitive or
II. Method of Collection Notice of Availability of a Draft protected information. The Draft PEIS is
Programmatic Environmental Impact available for download from
The Census Bureau uses its field
Statement for the South Region of the www.regulations.gov, FIRSTNET–2016–
representatives to obtain information on
Nationwide Public Safety Broadband 0005. A CD containing the electronic
the operating procedures of a permit
Network and Notice of Public Meetings files of this document is also available
office using the SOC–QBPO. The field
at public libraries (see Chapter 21 of the
representative visits the permit office, AGENCY: First Responder Network Draft PEIS for the complete distribution
conducts the interview, and completes Authority, National list). See SUPPLMENTARY INFORMATION
this electronic form. Telecommunications and Information section for public meeting addresses.
III. Data Administration, U.S. Department of
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
Commerce.
OMB Control Number: 0607–0125. more information on the Draft PEIS,
ACTION: Announcement of availability of
Form Number: SOC–QBPO. contact Genevieve Walker, Director of
Type of Review: Regular submission. a draft programmatic environmental Environmental Compliance, First
Affected Public: State and local impact statement and of public Responder Network Authority, National
Government. meetings. Telecommunications and Information
Estimated Number of Respondents: Administration, U.S. Department of
SUMMARY: The First Responder Network
1,017. Commerce, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive,
Estimated Time per Response: 15 Authority (‘‘FirstNet’’) announces the
availability of the Draft Programmatic M/S 243, Reston, VA 20192.
minutes.
Environmental Impact Statement for the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Estimated Total Annual Burden
Hours: 254 hours. South Region (‘‘Draft PEIS’’). FirstNet Public Meetings
Estimated Total Annual Cost to also announces a series of public
Public: $0. meetings to be held throughout the Attendees can obtain information
Respondent’s Obligation: Voluntary. South Region to receive comments on regarding the project and/or submit a
rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Legal Authority: Title 13, United the Draft PEIS. The Draft PEIS evaluates comment in person during public
States Code, Sections 131 and 182. the potential environmental impacts of meetings. The meeting details are as
the proposed nationwide public safety follows:
IV. Request for Comments broadband network in the South Region, • Nashville, Tennessee: October 24,
Comments are invited on: (a) Whether composed of Alabama, Arkansas, 2016, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.,
the proposed collection of information Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Hermitage Hotel, 231 6th Avenue North,
is necessary for the proper performance Mississippi, New Mexico, North Nashville, TN 37219
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![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 199 / Friday, October 14, 2016 / Notices 71045
• Atlanta, Georgia: October 25, 2016, on a single, national network Next Steps
from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Glenn architecture. The Act meets a All comments received by the public
Hotel, 110 Marietta Street NW., Atlanta, longstanding and critical national and any interested stakeholders will be
GA 30303 infrastructure need, to create a single, evaluated and considered by FirstNet
• Frankfort, Kentucky: October 25, nationwide network that will, for the during the preparation of the Final PEIS.
2016, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., first time, allow police officers, fire Once a PEIS is completed and a Record
Hampton Inn Frankfort, 1310 U.S. fighters, emergency medical service of Decision (ROD) is signed, FirstNet
Highway 127S, Frankfort, KY 40601 professionals, and other public safety will evaluate site-specific
• Morrisville (Raleigh Area), North entities to effectively communicate with documentation, as network design is
Carolina: October 26, 2016, from 4:00 each other across agencies and developed, to determine if the proposed
p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Morrisville Fire jurisdictions. The NPSBN is intended to project has been adequately evaluated in
Station 1, 200 Town Hall Drive, enhance the ability of the public safety the PEIS or warrants a Categorical
Training Room, Morrisville, NC 27560 community to perform more reliably,
• Montgomery, Alabama: October 26, Exclusion, an Environmental
effectively, and safely; increase Assessment, or an Environmental
2016, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., situational awareness during an
Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa at Impact Statement.
emergency; and improve the ability of
the Convention Center, 201 Tallapoosa the public safety community to Dated: October 11, 2016.
Street, Montgomery, AL 36104 effectively engage in those critical Elijah Veenendaal,
• Orlando, Florida: October 27, 2016, activities. Attorney—Advisor, First Responder Network
from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Courtyard The National Environmental Policy Authority.
by Marriott Orlando Downtown, 730 N. Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321–4347) [FR Doc. 2016–24906 Filed 10–13–16; 8:45 am]
Magnolia Avenue, Orlando, FL 32803 (‘‘NEPA’’) requires federal agencies to BILLING CODE 3510–TL–P
• Columbia, South Carolina: October undertake an assessment of
27, 2016, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., environmental effects of their proposed
SpringHill Suites Columbia Downtown, actions prior to making a final decision DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
511 Lady Street, Columbia, SC 29201 and implementing the action. NEPA
• Baton Rouge, Louisiana: November requirements apply to any federal
Foreign-Trade Zones Board
1, 2016, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., project, decision, or action that may
Louisiana State Police Training have a significant impact on the quality [B–68–2016]
Academy, Classroom No. 5, 7919 of the human environment. NEPA also
Independence Boulevard, Baton Rouge, Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 277—
establishes the Council on
LA 70806 Western Maricopa County, Arizona;
Environmental Quality (‘‘CEQ’’), which
• Sante Fe, New Mexico: November 1, Notification of Proposed Production
issued regulations implementing the
2016, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Activity; IRIS USA, Inc. (Plastic
procedural provisions of NEPA (see 40
Hilton Sante Fe Historic Plaza, 100 Household Storage/Organizational
CFR parts 1500–1508). Among other
Sandoval Street, Santa Fe, NM 87501 Containers); Surprise, Arizona
considerations, CEQ regulations at 40
• Jackson Mississippi: November 2,
CFR 1508.28 recommend the use of IRIS USA, Inc. (IRIS) submitted a
2016, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.,
tiering from a ‘‘broader environmental notification of proposed production
Jackson Marriott, 200 E Amite Street,
impact statement (such as a national activity to the FTZ Board for its facility
Jackson, MS 39201
• Little Rock, Arkansas: November 3, program or policy statements) with in Surprise, Arizona, within FTZ 277.
2016, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., subsequent narrower statements or The notification conforming to the
Arkansas State Capitol, 500 Woodlane environmental analysis (such as requirements of the regulations of the
Street, Room 130, Little Rock, AR 72201 regional or basin wide statements or FTZ Board (15 CFR 400.22) was
• Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: ultimately site-specific statements) received on September 29, 2016.
November 3, 2016, from 4:00 p.m. to incorporating by reference the general The IRIS facility is located within Site
8:00 p.m., OKC-County Health discussions and concentrating solely on 12 of FTZ 277. The facility is used to
Department, Northeast Regional Health the issues specific to the statement produce plastic household storage/
Wellness Campus, 2600 NE 63rd Street, subsequently prepared.’’ organizational containers and pet
Auditorium, Oklahoma City, OK 73111 Due to the geographic scope of carriers/pens. Pursuant to 15 CFR
• Austin, Texas: November 7, 2016, FirstNet (all 50 states, the District of 400.14(b), FTZ activity would be limited
from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., The W Columbia, and five territories) and the to the specific foreign-status materials
Austin Hotel, 200 Lavaca Street, Austin, diversity of ecosystems potentially and components and specific finished
TX 78701 traversed by the project, FirstNet has products described in the submitted
• Dallas, Texas: November 9, 2016, elected to prepare five regional PEISs. notification (as described below) and
from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Hyatt The five PEISs were divided into the subsequently authorized by the FTZ
Regency Dallas, 300 Reunion Boulevard East, Central, West, South, and Non- Board.
East, Dallas, TX 75207 Contiguous Regions. The South Region Production under FTZ procedures
includes Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, could exempt IRIS from customs duty
Background Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, payments on the foreign-status
The Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Mississippi, New Mexico, North components used in export production.
Creation Act of 2012 (Pub. L. 112–96, Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, On its domestic sales, IRIS would be
rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Title VI, 126 Stat. 156 (codified at 47 Tennessee, and Texas. The Draft PEIS able to choose the duty rates during
U.S.C. 1401 et seq.)) (the ‘‘Act’’) created analyzes potential impacts of the customs entry procedures that apply to
and authorized FirstNet to take all deployment and operation of the plastic household storage/organizational
actions necessary to ensure the building, NPSBN on the natural and human containers and pet carriers/pens (duty
deployment, and operation of an environment in the South Region, in rates range from free to 5.3%) for the
interoperable, nationwide public safety accordance with FirstNet’s foreign-status inputs noted below.
broadband network (‘‘NPSBN’’) based responsibilities under NEPA. Customs duties also could possibly be
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Document Created: 2016-10-14 00:01:12
Document Modified: 2016-10-14 00:01:12
| 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 | Announcement of availability of a draft programmatic environmental impact statement and of public meetings. | |
| Dates | Submit comments on the Draft PEIS for the South Region on or before December 13, 2016. FirstNet will also hold public meetings in each of the 13 states. See SUPPLMENTARY INFORMATION section for meeting dates. | |
| Contact | For more information on the Draft PEIS, contact Genevieve Walker, Director of Environmental Compliance, First Responder Network Authority, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, M/S 243, Reston, VA 20192. | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 71044 | |
| RIN Number | 0660-XC03 |
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