By Genevieve Walker, FirstNet Director of Environmental Compliance

In order to comply with our obligations under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), FirstNet will develop five regional Programmatic Environmental Impact Statements (PEISs) to analyze the expected impacts of the nationwide public safety broadband network (NPSBN) on the nation’s natural, social, and cultural resources. NEPA requires the Federal government to examine the impacts of its proposed actions early in the planning process so potential impacts can be identified, and ideally addressed, as the project details are finalized.

A key requirement of this decision-making process is that it be open and transparent; accordingly, Federal agencies are required to provide the public with multiple opportunities to provide comments and input. FirstNet published a Notice of Intent to prepare the PEISs in the Federal Register on November 12th in order to initiate the first of these opportunities in the area of scoping, which will run for 45 days, concluding on December 29, 2014. The scoping process provides interested stakeholders and the general public an opportunity to give input to FirstNet regarding the issues they believe should be addressed in the PEISs and to suggest alternative ways to implement the NPSBN.

In addition to accepting comments via mail at the address provided below, or email at PEIScomments@firstnet.gov, the FirstNet environmental compliance team will be hosting a series of in-person scoping meetings throughout the nation. These meetings are providing the general public and interested stakeholders opportunities to learn about the proposed action, talk directly with FirstNet environmental staff, and provide input regarding the scope of the analysis and alternatives. All comments received will be reviewed by FirstNet environmental staff and will be made a part of the public record, in keeping with the requirements for openness and transparency.

Specific dates and times for all of these meetings can be found on the FirstNet Events Webpage: http://www.firstnet.gov/newsroom/events. These meetings are intended to be informal gatherings where the public can learn about FirstNet, alternative ways to implement the NPSBN that will be analyzed in the PEISs, and the overall NEPA process, as well as provide comments and input to the FirstNet team. The team is looking forward to the opportunity to talk to interested members of the public about the PEIS, and their role in facilitating the implementation of this critical public safety project.

Thanks
-Genevieve

Genevieve Walker
FirstNet
Director of Environmental Compliance
12201 Sunrise Valley Drive
Reston, VA 20192