TC on NEPA and the Section 106 Process of the NHPA

Description

The Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB) and the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau's Office of Native Affairs and Policy (ONAP) are hosting an opportunity for federally-recognized Tribal Nations and Native Hawaiian Organizations (NHOs) to consult with Federal Communications Commission staff regarding the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Section 106 process of the National Historic Preservation Act.

Background

On March 27, 2025, CTIA—The Wireless Association filed a petition for rulemaking requesting that the Commission review and streamline its rules implementing NEPA as amended by the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 and proposing that the Commission explore and seek public comment on other proposals relevant to the Commission's environmental and historic preservation review processes.

Recognizing the Commission's government-to-government relationship and its express desire to work with Tribal Nations, the FCC will hold a video conference to discuss the issues raised and proposals made in CTIA's petition.

Registration: Interested participants must register in advance using the link below. After registering, you will receive a calendar invite with webinar information. Register Here

Audience: Attendance will be limited to elected and appointed leaders or duly appointed representatives of federally-recognized Tribal Nations and NHOs, including Tribal Historic Preservation Officers (THPOs).

Time permitting, we will invite statements from other Tribal representatives and participants during the Listening Session.

Ex Parte Notice: Tribal Nations and NHOs, like other interested parties, should file comments, reply comments, and ex parte presentations in the public record in order to put facts and arguments before the Commission in a manner such that they may be relied upon in the decision-making process. The Commission, however, will exempt ex parte presentations involving elected and appointed leaders, and duly appointed representatives, of federally-recognized Tribal Nations and NHOs from the disclosure requirements in permit-but-disclose proceedings (47 CFR § 1.1206) and the prohibitions on presentations during the Sunshine Agenda period (47 CFR § 1.1203). Specifically, presentations from elected and appointed leaders or duly appointed representatives of federally-recognized Tribal Nations or NHOs, including THPOs, to Commission decision makers shall be exempt from disclosure. To be clear, while the Commission recognizes that Consultation is critically important, we emphasize that the Commission will rely in its decision-making only on those materials that are placed in the public record for this proceeding.

Reasonable accommodations: Reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request. Send an email to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530 (voice) or 202-418-0432 (TTY). Please include a description of the accommodation you will need and tell us how to contact you. Requests for special accommodation should be made as early as possible. Last minute requests will be accepted but may be impossible to fill.

Registration Link