NTIA Launches New Permitting and Mapping Tool

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) launched a new mapping tool in an effort help grant recipients and others deploying infrastructure identify permit requirements and avoid potential environmental impacts when connecting a particular location to broadband service. 

The "Permitting and Environmental Information Application" is designed to help federal broadband grant recipients and subgrantees identify and understand the types of permits they will need and plan routes for their broadband deployments. This help includes identifying permit requirements early, initiating pre-application coordination with permitting agencies, and avoiding environmental impacts.

NTIA’s public release of the application adds to existing government-wide efforts to assist in  permitting and investigate how online and digital technologies can promote efficient environmental reviews. 

What the Permitting and Environmental Information Application Includes

The application combines public federal maps from the Federal Emergency Management Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, National Park Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and other federal sources.

It includes state lands data and tribal lands boundaries and shows various “rights of way.” 

Users can print maps to PDF or ingest data into their GIS systems. It's available on BroadbandUSA with other permitting resources.