Overview
Title
To provide that a project for the deployment or modification of a communications facility entirely within a floodplain is not subject to requirements to prepare certain environmental or historical preservation reviews.
ELI5 AI
The bill says if someone wants to build or change a communication tower in a place that sometimes floods, they don't have to check if it's bad for nature or old buildings. This means they can skip some important checks usually needed to make sure everything is okay.
Summary AI
H.R. 2817 aims to exclude certain communication facility projects in floodplain areas from having to undergo specific environmental or historical preservation reviews typically required by federal law. This proposed legislation, called the "Coastal Broadband Deployment Act," would ensure that such projects are not considered as major federal actions under the National Environmental Policy Act or as undertakings under the National Historic Preservation Act. It defines a "covered project" as any project involving the deployment or modification of a communications facility entirely within a floodplain that requires a permit or approval from the Federal Communications Commission.
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AnalysisAI
General Summary of the Bill
The proposed legislation, known as the “Coastal Broadband Deployment Act,” aims to simplify the process for deploying or modifying communications facilities within floodplains by exempting these projects from certain federal review requirements. Specifically, the bill would eliminate the need for environmental assessments under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and historical preservation reviews under the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) for such projects. Introduced by Mr. Bilirakis, the bill is currently under consideration in the House of Representatives and has been referred to relevant committees for further evaluation.
Summary of Significant Issues
The most notable aspect of the bill is its exemption of certain communication facility projects from federal oversight requirements typically imposed by NEPA and NHPA. These federal laws are designed to ensure that projects consider environmental and historical impacts, respectively. By bypassing these reviews, there are potential concerns that important environmental and historical preservation measures could be overlooked. This worry is particularly significant for projects conducted within floodplains, areas inherently sensitive to environmental changes and prone to specific ecological challenges.
Potential Impact on the Public
From a broader public perspective, the bill could have mixed implications. On one hand, by streamlining the bureaucratic process, the deployment of communication facilities might proceed more swiftly, potentially improving access to broadband and enhancing connectivity in areas where service is currently limited or non-existent. This could support technological growth and provide economic benefits to communities within floodplains that may otherwise be underserved.
However, on the other hand, exempting these projects from thorough environmental and historical scrutiny could result in negative consequences. Environmental degradation could occur if projects impact floodplain ecosystems without sufficient oversight. Additionally, historic sites within these areas may face risks if not adequately protected under the current legislative framework.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
The legislation might positively impact telecommunications companies and other stakeholders involved in deploying communication infrastructure by reducing regulatory hurdles and potentially lowering costs and project timelines. For these stakeholders, the bill could facilitate a quicker expansion of networks, especially crucial in disaster-prone zones where rapid communication deployment can be vital.
Conversely, environmental organizations and historical preservation groups may view the bill unfavorably due to the reduced federal oversight. These stakeholders might be concerned about the potential loss of valuable natural and historical resources if projects are allowed to proceed without environmental and historical assessments.
In conclusion, while the “Coastal Broadband Deployment Act” has the potential to expedite broadband deployment and boost connectivity in floodplain areas, it raises significant concerns regarding environmental sustainability and cultural heritage preservation. Balancing expedited infrastructure development with responsible environmental and historical stewardship remains a critical consideration in the legislative process.
Issues
The exemption from NEPA for projects within floodplains could lead to environmental concerns as these projects will not be subjected to assessments usually required for Federal actions, potentially increasing risks of environmental impact without adequate scrutiny (Section 2(a)).
The exemption from the NHPA may place historic sites within floodplains at risk, as these projects will not be considered undertakings, potentially sidelining considerations for historic preservation (Section 2(b)).
The lack of explicit oversight or review mechanisms for ensuring that the projects meet the necessary definitions and conditions creates potential for implementation issues, with no alternative accountability or reporting measures introduced (General).
The bill's reliance on readers’ understanding of specific legislative and regulatory references (e.g., the National Environmental Policy Act, the National Historic Preservation Act, and sections of previously enacted acts) without elaboration might alienate those without legal expertise, leading to misinterpretations (Section 2(c)).
The removal of Federal oversight such as NEPA and NHPA reviews for covered projects without proposing alternative regulatory measures is concerning from both a regulatory and a governance perspective (General).
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The first section of the Act states that it will be known as the “Coastal Broadband Deployment Act.”
2. Application of NEPA and NHPA to floodplains Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section outlines that specific projects involving the deployment or modification of communications facilities within floodplains are exempt from being considered major federal actions under the National Environmental Policy Act and are not recognized as undertakings under the National Historic Preservation Act. It defines key terms such as "Commission," referring to the Federal Communications Commission, "communications facility," "covered project," and "federal authorization," which include necessary permits or approvals under federal law.