Program Comment for Federal Communications Projects

March 13, 2024

Synopsis

A Program Comment that can be used by federal agencies who must comply with the requirements of Section 106 when deploying communications activities throughout the country.

In 2017, the ACHP issued a Program Comment for Communications Projects on Federal Lands and Property at the request of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to accelerate the review of these projects, particularly broadband deployment, under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. In 2024, at the request of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, the ACHP expanded the scope of the Program Comment to any federal agency with an undertaking meeting its terms. The Program Comment can be used by federal agencies who must comply with the requirements of Section 106 when deploying communications activities throughout the country. Federal agencies using the Program Comment may fulfill their Section 106 responsibilities for the relevant undertakings by implementing the terms of this comment, which include processes for the identification of historic properties and consideration of effects to these properties. The Program Comment also identifies certain undertakings that require no further Section 106 review under specified conditions.

Please also see a summary of the consultation meetings and public comment.