USA Banner

Official US Government Icon

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure Site Icon

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

FAST-41 Postings by Agencies for Alaska FiberOptic Project Segment 1

National Telecommunications and Information Administration (Posted on: )

FAST-41 Initiation Notice

FIN submitted 4/25/23. Accepted by NTIA on 5/9/23.

Application and Supporting Documents

FIN can be obtained from NTIA. 

Information on the status of mitigation measures

None

Description of the status of any litigation

None

Information about project-related public meetings, public hearings, and public comment periods

EA public comment period slated for approximately July 2024. 

Description of any Federal agency action taken or decision made that materially affects the status of the project

NTIA is lead federal agency and has accepted the project under the FAST Act coverage. 

Bureau of Land Management (Posted on: )

FAST-41 Initiation Notice

Contact Lead Agency (NTIA) Project Manager

Application and Supporting Documents

Application is expected to be submitted to BLM October 31, 2023.

Information on the status of mitigation measures

None currently

Description of the status of any litigation

None currently

Information about project-related public meetings, public hearings, and public comment periods

Contact Lead Agency (NTIA) Project Manager

Description of any Federal agency action taken or decision made that materially affects the status of the project

Contact Lead Agency (NTIA) Project Manager

US Army Corps of Engineers - Regulatory (Posted on: )

FAST-41 Initiation Notice

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. The Corps was notified on May 10, 2023 by FPISC that the project was added to the FAST-41 dashboard.

Application and Supporting Documents

https://www.akfiberopticproject.com/

 

 
Information on the status of mitigation measures

At this time, a permit application has not been received by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.  Mitigation measures will be fully considered when the permit review is in process.  

Description of the status of any litigation

There is no current or historic litigation for this project. 

Information about project-related public meetings, public hearings, and public comment periods

This will likely be reviewed under a Nationwide Permit #57 for verification and not a Standard Individual permit application that would require a public notice, therefore we do not anticipate any public meetings or public comment period for this project specific to the USACE permitting process. 

Description of any Federal agency action taken or decision made that materially affects the status of the project

At this time, a permit application has not been received by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the subject project.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Posted on: )

FAST-41 Initiation Notice

posted by lead agency

Application and Supporting Documents

Link to the Environmental Consultation Organizer (ECO) for information regarding the consultation under the Magnuson Stevens Act (MSA) for Essential Fish Habitat (EFH): 

https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/resource/tool-app/environmental-consultation-organizer-eco

(note: required to set up an account to view information)

Information on the status of mitigation measures

NA

Description of the status of any litigation

NA

Information about project-related public meetings, public hearings, and public comment periods

NA

Description of any Federal agency action taken or decision made that materially affects the status of the project

Conservation Recommendations issued under the MSA/EFH consultation.