NTIA has released a Notice addressing its compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act in furtherance of the programs funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, including the BEAD Program. Of note, NTIA has established 33 new categorical exclusions to NEPA and the Council on Environmental Quality regulations that cover administrative, real property and facility, and operational actions that do not have a significant impact on the environment. The Notice also states that NTIA will follow the First Responder Network Authority’s NEPA procedures, with modifications, on an interim basis, to account for NTIA’s internal organization. NTIA hopes that these actions will increase the efficiency of the environmental analysis and decisions made with regard to NEPA.
