Additional time is required to issue the draft Environmental Assessment (EA) because the Project Sponsor updated the proposed installation methodology for the fiber optic cable while the EA was being developed. Updates to the installation methodology were required to reduce the risk of cable failure and navigation hazards. The update to the installation methodology required changes and updates to multiple areas of the EA analysis, including geological resources, biological resources, and water resources.
Cooperating under NEPA
Milestones:
PROJECT WEBSITE: The Alaska FiberOptic Project
All dates below are specific to the schedule of the Environmental Review and Permitting processes for this project.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND PERMITTING STATUS
IN PROGRESS
ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE OF ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND PERMITTING
12/16/2024
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND PERMITTING PROCESSES
COMPLETED
SECTOR
Broadband
CATEGORY
Project Category
FAST-41 Covered Projects
LEAD AGENCY
Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications and Information Administration
View FAST-41 Postings by Agencies
Other Agencies with Actions or Authorizations:
Department of the Army, US Army Corps of Engineers - Regulatory
Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management
Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Description:
The Alaska FiberOptic Project Segment 1 proposes to deploy a reliable, affordable, scalable and future-proofed broadband network bridging the digital divide for the foreseeable future in one of the most remote, isolated, high-cost, and difficult to serve areas of the United States. The Alaska FiberOptic Project Segment 1 is one phase of a 3-phase project that includes constructing a middle mile fiber optic network (under water and on land) directly supporting last mile high-speed Internet connections to 23 Alaskan Native Villages along the Yukon River. The Alaska Fiber Optic Project Segment 1 would begin by connecting to existing fiber in Fairbanks, Alaska and use existing utility line easements to bury cable. The route would travel along the Steese Highway, Elliott and Dalton highways to the E.L. Patton Yukon River Bridge. From the E.L. Patton Bridge the cable would be laid in the active channel of the Yukon River upstream to Ft. Yukon and downstream to Tanana.
Original Target Date: 06/07/2024
Milestone: Issuance of a Final EA (Agency Action)
Requested extensions greater than 30 days for this Action are shown below:
Issuance of a Final EA (Agency Action) extended by 62
From: 06/07/2024
To: 08/08/2024