Digital infrastructure speeds ahead while minimizing environmental impact in Lenoir County

Client

InfinityLink Communications and the National Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA)

Location

 Lenoir County, N.C.

Challenge

When a project requires government funding, it adds another layer of complexity. Understanding and meeting regulatory requirements while developing and submitting properly executed documents demands specific knowledge. Many clients, such as InfinityLink Communications, have turned to our team for just this experience, in addition to the expertise required to do the expected testing.

InfinityLink Communications required support on a proposed broadband fiber installation project to be funded by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). With a project scope that included 786 miles of total fiber installation and approximately 80 miles of ground disturbance, NTIA determined that it required an environmental assessment. To add to the project’s complexity, it was one of the first fiber projects to require an environmental assessment per NTIA requirements under the Broadband Information Program (BIP). With our proven environmental assessment expertise, these challenges were perfect for our team of dedicated environmental specialists and engineers.

Solution

Working closely with the NTIA to focus on specific resource areas of concern, Terracon’s team employed Pivvot, a Software as a Service (SaaS) platform owned by Terracon that maps potential project constraints, for early identification and evaluation of potential environmental impacts. Using Pivvot, the team was able to overlay the nearly 800-mile area of the proposed fiber route with maps identifying potential wetland impacts, floodplains, critical habitats, stream crossings, historic properties, archeological resources, and more. 

“Pivvot was very helpful for us, the client, and NTIA, in determining the initial project scope. It gave us a sneak peek into the hurdles anticipated later by reviewing so much upfront desktop information in one place. Having so much good data right up front made the environmental review process go much faster than typical,” said Emily Kosmalski, Environmental Planning Manager.

Combining Pivvot’s data with field studies, our in-house subject matter experts analyzed the project status and contributed to develop a comprehensive report of findings.

Our NEPA experts, including wetland scientists, ecologists, cultural resource specialists, qualified archeologists, and architectural historians, used the Pivvot report and associated environmental studies to research, evaluate, and analyze the findings. These evaluations were memorialized by the NEPA team of experts within the EA document, which was subsequently approved by NTIA.

“Building a quality NEPA document is much easier when you have all the SMEs in-house,” said Kosmalski. “We have a deep bench of staff that are very knowledgeable on the regulatory process. We really have the capabilities to hold your hand on every front of the NEPA process.”

Results

The project concluded with a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and a full NTIA grant award.

Ultimately, this project provided high-speed internet coverage in rural North Carolina, empowering communities to boost education and job opportunities through access to internet information and resources.