83_FR_47091 83 FR 46911 - Telecommunications Program: Notice of availability of a Finding of No Significant Impact

83 FR 46911 - Telecommunications Program: Notice of availability of a Finding of No Significant Impact

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 180 (September 17, 2018)

Page Range46911-46912
FR Document2018-20051

The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture, has issued a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) in association with the ``Broadband Deployment to Rural America'' Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) published on March 1, 2016. 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.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 180 (Monday, September 17, 2018) 
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 180 (Monday, September 17, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46911-46912]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-20051]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


Telecommunications Program: Notice of availability of a Finding 
of No Significant Impact

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of a Finding of No Significant Impact 
for 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), an agency of the United 
States Department of Agriculture, has issued a Finding of No 
Significant Impact (FONSI) in association with the ``Broadband 
Deployment to Rural America'' Programmatic Environmental Assessment 
(PEA) published on March 1, 2016. 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To obtain copies of the FONSI or PEA, 
or for further information, please contact: Ms. Lauren Rayburn, 
Environmental Scientist, Rural Utilities Service, 1400 Independence 
Ave. SW, Mail Stop 1571, Room 2240, Washington, DC 20250, phone: (202) 
695-2540, or email: [email protected]. Additional information 
about the Agency and its programs is available on the internet at 
http://www.rd.usda.gov/.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: RUS issued a Programmatic Environmental 
Assessment (PEA) for the development of a more efficient and effective 
environmental review process for its Telecommunications Program on 
March 1, 2016. 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. Since publication of 
the Agency's Environmental Policies and Procedures (7 CFR part 1970) on 
March 2, 2016, RUS has updated the PEA with citations to the Agency's 
new environmental rule. These changes were administrative and not 
substantive, therefore supplementation of the PEA is not required.
    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 and its FONSI 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.
    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 
the Agency's Environmental Policies and Procedures.
    Based on its EA, RUS has determined that the issued FONSI fulfills 
its obligations under NEPA for Agency actions associated with financing 
through the following programs: Telecommunications Infrastructure Loan 
Program; Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program; 
Community Connect Grant Program; and Distance Learning and Telemedicine 
Grant Program. RUS is satisfied that the environmental

[[Page 46912]]

consequences have been assessed and adequately addressed at a 
programmatic level. Accordingly, an Environmental Impact Statement will 
not be prepared.

    Dated: September 11, 2018.
Christopher A. McLean,
Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-20051 Filed 9-14-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-15-P

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 180 / Monday, September 17, 2018 / Notices 46911 2. In the second column on page project level that would be completed Telecommunications programs varies 40221, under Section V. Application before Agency dispersal of funds and/or slightly from a competitive grant Review Information, subsection B. applicant construction. program, individual project proposals, Review and Selection Process, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To or multi-year ‘‘loan design’’ subparagraphs (1)(d) is being revised to obtain copies of the FONSI or PEA, or applications. The Agency seeks to read as follows: for further information, please contact: synchronize and create environmental a. National unrestricted grant funds Ms. Lauren Rayburn, Environmental review efficiencies for future project- for all eligible renewable energy system Scientist, Rural Utilities Service, 1400 level environmental review compliance and energy efficiency improvements Independence Ave. SW, Mail Stop 1571, for the various programs, commensurate grant applications received by April 1, Room 2240, Washington, DC 20250, with the potential environmental 2019, which include grants of $20,000 phone: (202) 695–2540, or email: impacts. The Agency also seeks to or less, that are not funded by State lauren.rayburn@wdc.usda.gov. establish proper sequencing of certain allocations can be submitted to the Additional information about the agency preliminary decisions (i.e., National Office to compete against grant Agency and its programs is available on obligation of funds and/or approval of applications from other States at a final the internet at http://www.rd.usda.gov/. interim financing requests) with national competition. subsequent tiered, site-specific project SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: RUS 3. In the third column on page 40221, environmental reviews. issued a Programmatic Environmental The PEA is intended to expedite the under Section V. Application Review Assessment (PEA) for the development Information, subsection B. Review and funding, deployment, and expansion of of a more efficient and effective broadband infrastructure in rural Selection Process, subparagraphs (3), environmental review process for its the third sentence of the second America. The PEA includes detailed Telecommunications Program on March descriptions and analyses of the direct, paragraph, that continues on page 40222 1, 2016. The PEA provides a broad is being revised to read as follows: indirect, and cumulative impacts environmental analysis of the Agency’s associated with broadband a. All unfunded eligible applications preliminary decisions and includes a infrastructure technologies and for combined grant and guaranteed loan tiered, site-specific analysis at the construction methods, such as impacts applications that are received by April project level that would be completed to water resources, terrestrial resources, 1, 2019, and that are not funded by State before Agency dispersal of funds and/or historic and cultural resources, air and allocations can be submitted to the applicant construction. Since climate resources, noise, threatened and National Office to compete against other publication of the Agency’s endangered species, electromagnetic grant and combined grant and Environmental Policies and Procedures radiation, and Environmental Justice guaranteed loan applications from other (7 CFR part 1970) on March 2, 2016, issues. Use of the PEA analyses thereby States at a final national competition. RUS has updated the PEA with citations saves project-level processing time, Dated: September 11, 2018. to the Agency’s new environmental rule. ensuring consistent and accurate David Foster, These changes were administrative and environmental evaluations while Acting Administrator, Rural Business- not substantive, therefore avoiding unnecessary duplication and Cooperative Service. supplementation of the PEA is not repetition in project-level planning and [FR Doc. 2018–20119 Filed 9–14–18; 8:45 am] required. evaluation. Use of the PEA and its BILLING CODE 3410–XY–P The RUS Telecommunications FONSI enables project-level compliance Program provides a variety of loans and with NEPA, ESA, NHPA, and other grants to build and expand broadband requirements to focus on the remaining DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE networks in rural America. Loans to relevant site-specific issues, expediting build broadband networks and deliver planning, analysis, compliance, Rural Utilities Service service to households and businesses in documentation, and ultimately project- rural communities provide a necessary level decisions. Telecommunications Program: Notice source of capital for rural of availability of a Finding of No Any final action by RUS related to the telecommunications companies. Grant broadband portion of the RUS Significant Impact funding is awarded based on a number Telecommunications Program will be AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA. of factors relating to the benefits to be subject to, and contingent upon, ACTION: Notice of Availability of a derived from the proposed broadband compliance with all relevant Finding of No Significant Impact for a network project, as specified in presidential executive orders and Programmatic Environmental applicable program regulations. federal, state, and local environmental Assessment of USDA Rural Utilities Eligible applicants for RUS loans and laws and regulations in addition to the Service’s Financial Support for grants include for-profit and non-profit completion of the environmental review Deployment of the Telecommunications entities, tribes, municipalities, and requirements as prescribed in the Programs to Rural America. cooperatives. The Agency particularly Agency’s Environmental Policies and encourages investment in tribal and Procedures. SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service economically disadvantaged areas. Based on its EA, RUS has determined (RUS), an agency of the United States Through low-cost funding for that the issued FONSI fulfills its Department of Agriculture, has issued a telecommunications infrastructure, rural obligations under NEPA for Agency Finding of No Significant Impact residents can have access to services actions associated with financing (FONSI) in association with the that will close the digital divide through the following programs: daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES ‘‘Broadband Deployment to Rural between rural and urban communities. Telecommunications Infrastructure America’’ Programmatic Environmental Once funds are awarded, RUS monitors Loan Program; Rural Broadband Access Assessment (PEA) published on March the projects to make sure they are Loan and Loan Guarantee Program; 1, 2016. The PEA provides a broad completed in accordance with program Community Connect Grant Program; environmental analysis of the Agency’s conditions and requirements. and Distance Learning and preliminary decisions and includes a The application process for requesting Telemedicine Grant Program. RUS is tiered, site-specific analysis at the financial assistance for the various satisfied that the environmental VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:47 Sep 14, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\17SEN1.SGM 17SEN1

46912 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 180 / Monday, September 17, 2018 / Notices consequences have been assessed and www.facadatabase.gov under the wireless lines, according to their adequately addressed at a programmatic Commission on Civil Rights, Tennessee wireless plan. The Commission will not level. Accordingly, an Environmental Advisory Committee link. Persons refund any incurred charges. Callers Impact Statement will not be prepared. interested in the work of this Committee will incur no charge for calls they Dated: September 11, 2018. are directed to the Commission’s initiate over land-line connections to Christopher A. McLean, website, http://www.usccr.gov, or may the toll-free telephone number. Persons contact the Southern Regional Office at with hearing impairments may also Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service. the above email or street address. follow the proceedings by first calling [FR Doc. 2018–20051 Filed 9–14–18; 8:45 am] the Federal Relay Service at 1–800–877– BILLING CODE 3410–15–P Agenda 8339 and providing the Service with the Welcome and Call to Order conference call number and conference Diane DiIanni, Tennessee SAC ID number. COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS Chairman Written comments may be mailed to Jeff Hinton, Regional Director the Regional Program Unit Office, U.S. Notice of Public Meeting of the Regional Update- Jeff Hinton Commission on Civil Rights, 230 S Tennessee Advisory Committee New Business: Diane DiIanni, Dearborn St., Suite 2120, Chicago, IL AGENCY: U.S. Commission on Civil Tennessee SAC Chairman/Staff/ 60604. They may also be faxed to the Rights. Advisory Committee Commission at (312) 353–8324 or may ACTION: Notice of meeting. Public Participation be emailed to the Regional Director, Jeff Adjournment Hinton at jhinton@usccr.gov. Records of SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given, Dated: September 12, 2018. the meeting will be available via pursuant to the provisions of the rules David Mussatt, www.facadatabase.gov under the and regulations of the U.S. Commission Supervisory Chief, Regional Programs Unit. Commission on Civil Rights, Florida on Civil Rights (Commission) and the Advisory Committee link. Persons [FR Doc. 2018–20115 Filed 9–14–18; 8:45 am] Federal Advisory Committee Act that interested in the work of this Committee BILLING CODE P the Tennessee Advisory Committee will are directed to the Commission’s hold a meeting on Wednesday, October website, http://www.usccr.gov, or may 10, 2018 12:30 p.m. EST to discuss contact the Southern Regional Office at COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS hearing preparations on legal financial the above email or street address. obligations and civil rights issues. Notice of Public Meeting of the Florida Agenda DATES: The meeting will be held on Advisory Committee Wednesday October 10, 2018 12:30 p.m. Welcome and Introductions EST. Public Call Information: The AGENCY: U.S. Commission on Civil Discussion: Civil Rights Issues in meeting will be by teleconference. Toll- Rights. Florida free call-in number: 877–260–1479, ACTION: Announcement of meeting. Public Comment conference ID: 2206695. Adjournment SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given, Dated: September 12, 2018. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT: pursuant to the provisions of the rules David Mussatt, Jeff Hinton, DFO, at jhinton@usccr.gov. and regulations of the U.S. Commission Supervisory Chief, Regional Programs Unit. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Members on Civil Rights (Commission) and the of the public can listen to the Federal Advisory Committee Act that [FR Doc. 2018–20114 Filed 9–14–18; 8:45 am] discussion. This meeting is available to the Florida Advisory Committee BILLING CODE 6335–01–P the public through the following toll- (Committee) will hold a meeting on free call-in number: 877–260–1479, Friday September 28, 2018, at 2:30 p.m. conference ID: 2206695. Any interested (EST) for the purpose discussing civil DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE member of the public may call this rights concerns in the state. number and listen to the meeting. Bureau of Industry and Security DATES: The meeting will be held on Callers can expect to incur charges for [Docket No. 180821787–8787–01] calls they initiate over wireless lines, Friday September 28, 2018, at 2:30 p.m. and the Commission will not refund any (EST). RIN 0694–XC046 incurred charges. Callers will incur no Public Call Information: Dial: 877– charge for calls they initiate over land- 260–1479, Conference ID: 3162185. Effectiveness of Licensing Procedures line connections to the toll-free FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeff for Agricultural Commodities to Cuba telephone number. Persons with hearing Hinton, DFO, at jhinton@usccr.gov. AGENCY: Bureau of Industry and impairments may also follow the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Members Security, Commerce. proceedings by first calling the Federal of the public can listen to the ACTION: Request for comments. Relay Service at 1–800–977–8339 and discussion. This meeting is available to providing the Service with the the public through the toll-free call-in SUMMARY: The Bureau of Industry and conference call number and conference number dial: 877–260–1479, Conference Security (BIS) is requesting public ID number. ID: 3162185. An open comment period comments on the effectiveness of its Written comments may be mailed to will be provided to allow members of licensing procedures as defined in the the Regional Program Unit Office, U.S. the public to make a statement as time Export Administration Regulations for daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES Commission on Civil Rights, 230 S. allows. The conference call operator the export of agricultural commodities Dearborn, Suite 2120, Chicago, IL will ask callers to identify themselves, to Cuba. BIS will include a description 60604. They may also be faxed to the the organization they are affiliated with of these comments in its biennial report Commission at (312) 353–8324 or may (if any), and an email address prior to to the Congress, as required by the be emailed to the Regional Director, Jeff placing callers into the conference Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Hinton at jhinton@usccr.gov. Records of room. Callers can expect to incur regular Enhancement Act of 2000, as amended the meeting will be available via charges for calls they initiate over (TSRA). VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:47 Sep 14, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\17SEN1.SGM 17SEN1


Document Created: 2018-09-15 01:37:26
Document Modified: 2018-09-15 01:37:26
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice of Availability of a Finding of No Significant Impact for a Programmatic Environmental Assessment of USDA Rural Utilities Service's Financial Support for Deployment of the Telecommunications Programs to Rural America.
ContactTo obtain copies of the FONSI or PEA, or for further information, please contact: Ms. Lauren Rayburn, Environmental Scientist, Rural Utilities Service, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Mail Stop 1571, Room 2240, Washington, DC 20250, phone: (202) 695-2540, or email: [email protected] Additional information about the Agency and its programs is available on the internet at http://www.rd.usda.gov/.
FR Citation83 FR 46911 
2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR