Modernizing the Commission's National Environmental Policy Act Rules

Summary

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission or FCC) seeks additional comment on the Commission's National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) framework, to further expedite, simplify, and reduce the costs of environmental review. This includes refreshing the record on the meaning of "undertaking" and the Commission's approach to implementing section 106 of the NHPA. The Commission also seeks comment on whether activities related to the deployment and operation of communications infrastructure are within the scope of "undertaking," as well as on other practices or actions the Commission could adopt to provide more efficiency and predictability in the section 106 process. Additionally, the Commission seeks comment on whether communications infrastructure deployments are agency actions subject to the Endangered Species Act (ESA).