BEAD-Funded Broadband Projects: Navigate Environmental Hurdles with Ease

Understanding the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process is essential for applicants seeking to leverage Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) funding — a National Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA)-led federal program designed to expand high-speed internet access across unserved and underserved communities. In this webinar, Terracon’s environmental and telecommunications experts will lead an engaging discussion on common environmental challenges in the BEAD program, provide an overview of what processes to expect, and explain how to foresee and avoid missteps in environmental review that can lead to costly project delays. 

Bring your questions, and join in the conversation, as we explore how to: 

• Clarify roles and responsibilities between states and applicants, especially when states are acting as a joint lead agency under NEPA 
• Build a well-defined project description as a baseline for a successful process and understand the potential implications of design changes  
• Understand how NTIA’s tools and regulations relate to the overall process, including the Environmental Screening and Permitting Tracking Tool (ESAPTT) and ArcGIS Pro Permitting and Environmental Information Tool (APPEIT) tools 
• Identify red flags early to prevent surprises and keep projects on schedule 
• Understand special award conditions (SACs) to ensure they are correctly implemented 
• Use tools and tips to help keep your project on track