On Target

Complete the Programmatic EIR and expand the permitting “tool kit” to facilitate broadband.

Board of Supervisors 2022
Description

In the County's efforts to expand rural broadband, we hear from internet service providers (ISP) that environmental permitting is a substantial challenge to complete projects in a timely and cost-efficient manner. As a result, the Broadband Work Group has led the effort to initiate a countywide environmental impact report (EIR) and a "tool kit" to help remove barriers to completing local "last-mile" projects. 

In 2021, the County hired Ascent Environmental, Inc. to complete the Draft Programmatic EIR. The EIR is expected to take approximately 8-10 months to complete and will involve multiple opportunities for public engagement. 
Progress Update

Finalized the Draft Environmental Impact Report (Draft EIR) for the Nevada County Broadband Program and began the 45-day public review period for the document. The purpose of this countywide Environmental Impact Report (EIR) is to meaningfully address challenges and remove barriers for project developers.

Applied to receive the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) Broadband Serviceable Location (BSL) Fabric Data so that Nevada County can review it and prepare challenges to it, if necessary. This is a data set of all homes and small businesses that could be serviced by mass market broadband services and will eventually be used by the FCC to allocate funding for broadband expansion projects. Staff participated in training and coordinated with the County’s GIS team to prepare for this data review.

Next Steps

After the public comment period closes, finalize the programmatic Environmental Impact Report for broadband projects.

Prepare and issue a Request for Qualifications (RFQ), a tool that will help the County identify interested internet service providers and qualify them to work with the County on future projects.

Objectives