PermitSolutions

Developer Notes

Demo only: This step is not functional — form inputs and buttons are illustrative only
Route geometry uploaded as GeoJSON, KML, or Shapefile; validated against coordinate system and topology on submit
Submission triggers automated GIS screening pipeline (next step)

New NEPA submission

BEAD-funded fiber deployment. Provide route geometry and project metadata; screening begins on submit.

Project name

Applicant

Funding program

State

Route length (miles)

Deployment type

Route geometry

route_segments_v3.geojson

LINESTRING · 4,217 vertices · WGS84

attached

GeoJSON, KML, or Shapefile. CRS will be normalized automatically.

Description

Middle-mile fiber backhaul connecting rural communities via existing electric utility right-of-way. Aerial deployment with three short underground bores at highway crossings.

Submission preview

DRAFT

Project ID — assigned on submit —

Route 34 mi · Kentucky

Program BEAD

Required screens 11 / 11 mapped

Est. screening time ~ 90 seconds

ENCRYPTED · FedRAMP-aligned transport

Developer Notes

Route Planner allows applicants to draw or upload proposed fiber routes directly on the map
Environmental layers are displayed in real-time so applicants can proactively avoid sensitive areas
Routes can be exported as GeoJSON for use in the project intake form

Developer Notes

Demo only: Categorical exclusion determination shown is pre-configured
NEPA determination auto-generated from GIS screening results and project characteristics
Extraordinary circumstances checklist evaluated against all GIS flags — any positive finding escalates to EA
CatEx category matched to NTIA's implementing procedures based on project type and ground disturbance
Even with CatEx qualification, individual NEPA & permit reviews (§404, §106, §7) still required where GIS flags exist

NEPA DETERMINATION

Categorical Exclusion (CatEx)

Based on GIS screening results, this project qualifies for a Categorical Exclusion under NTIA's NEPA implementing procedures. No extraordinary circumstances detected.

CEQ Categorical Exclusion Database Connected

Live feed from ce.permitting.innovation.gov/data/exclusions.json — matched categories for DOC/NTIA NEPA procedures.

CEQ Database

CatEx Category C-8

Aerial or buried utility/communication systems using existing ROW

QUALIFIED

NTIA---3-30: Acquisition, installation, reconstruction, repair by replacement, and operation of aerial or buried utility (e.g., water, sewer, electrical), communication (e.g., fiber optic cable, data processing cable and similar electronic equipment), and security systems that use existing rights-of-way, easements, grants of license, distribution systems, facilities, or similar arrangements.

NTIA NEPA Procedures (June 2025) Source: CEQ Categorical Exclusion Database · DOC - NTIA

GROUND DISTURBANCE

Minimal — directional bore under crossings

ROW STATUS

100% existing county & state ROW

EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES

None identified

PUBLIC CONTROVERSY

None identified

CHECKLIST — EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES SCREENING

✓ No effect on federally listed species or critical habitat

✓ No effect on historic or cultural properties

✓ No disproportionate impact to EJ communities

✓ No floodplain or wetland impacts beyond permitted thresholds

✓ No hazardous materials or contaminated sites on route

✓ No wild & scenic rivers within project area

CatEx Category C-5

Co-location on existing communication towers

QUALIFIED

NTIA---3-27: Installing, operating, maintaining, retrofitting, upgrading, repairing, removing, and/or replacement of existing microwave or radio communication towers, instruments, structures, or buildings that do not require ground disturbance outside of the original footprint, including installing or collocating equipment such as antennas, microwave dishes, or power units. For communications towers at or below 199 feet, renovations and equipment additions must not cause the total height of the tower to exceed 199 feet. Existing structures must not be eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.

NTIA NEPA Procedures (June 2025) Source: CEQ Categorical Exclusion Database · DOC - NTIA

GROUND DISTURBANCE

None — attachment to existing infrastructure

STRUCTURE MODIFICATION

Minor — antenna mount + cabinet at base

EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES

None identified

TOWER HEIGHT

Below 199 ft after additions

CHECKLIST — EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES SCREENING

✓ No ground disturbance outside original footprint

✓ Tower height remains below 199 ft after equipment additions

✓ Structure not eligible for National Register of Historic Places

✓ No effect on migratory birds or aviation safety

✓ RF emissions within FCC limits at ground level

Note: NEPA & permit reviews still required for wetland crossings, cultural review, and ESA compliance — see next step.

Developer Notes

Demo only: Upload buttons and document actions are non-functional — file upload previews are illustrative only
NEPA & permit reviews auto-generated from GIS flags — each flag maps to a specific regulatory review
Required documentation checklist pre-populated; intake data auto-fills where possible
Document statuses: required (applicant must provide), draft (system-generated, needs review), linked (depends on another NEPA & permit review)
Auto-generation: Maps, crossing profiles, PCN forms, biological assessments, and notification letters can be auto-generated from project geometry and intake data — reducing weeks of consultant work to minutes
Submission blocked until all required documents uploaded — prevents incomplete packages

TRIGGERED NEPA & PERMIT REVIEWS 3

Automatically generated from GIS screen results. Each NEPA & permit review pre-populates from intake data and prompts only for what's still needed.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

USACE Nationwide Permit 12

Triggered by GIS screen — 3 NWI wetland intersects on route.

ACTION REQUIRED

Required documentation

3 OUTSTANDING

3 documents required before submission

ESTIMATED REVIEW WINDOW · 45 DAYS

Developer Notes

Demo only: Approval statuses and progress indicators are static sample data — no live tracking is active
Real-time tracking of each NEPA & permit review through its agency review lifecycle
Progress stages pulled from agency SLAs and known processing timelines
Follow-ups surface agency correspondence and required applicant actions in one place
Overall approval percentage calculated from weighted NEPA & permit review progress — drives dashboard metrics

PROJECT · PS-24-1204

Hardin County Backhaul

34 mi · Kentucky · BEAD-funded · 3 NEPA & permit reviews in flight

55%

OVERALL APPROVAL

2 NEPA & permit reviews need applicant action

SHPO-106

NHPA §106 cultural review

State SHPO

ON TRACK

In agency review ETA · May 13

Package compiled Apr 12

Submitted to SHPO Apr 13

Tribal notifications sent Apr 13

Effect determination Pending

Concurrence issued ~May 13

FOLLOW-UPS 2

State SHPO Apr 21

Survey methodology accepted. No additional Phase I work requested.

Choctaw Nation Apr 18

Tribal consultation response received — no objection. On file.

USFWS-S7

USFWS §7 ESA consultation

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

NEEDS ACTION

Awaiting biological assessment ETA · Jun 02 (est.)

IPaC species list retrieved Apr 12

Biological assessment Required

Submitted to USFWS —

Informal consultation —

Concurrence issued —

FOLLOW-UPS 1

PermitSolutions Apr 14

Biological assessment draft auto-generated — needs applicant review and seasonal work-window detail.

USACE-NWP12

USACE Nationwide Permit 12

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

NEEDS ACTION

Awaiting delineation & PCN ETA · Jun 15 (est.)

Crossings identified Apr 12

Avoidance narrative drafted Apr 12

Wetland delineation Required

PCN submitted —

NWP 12 verification —

FOLLOW-UPS 1

PermitSolutions Apr 12

3 wetland crossings auto-flagged. Field delineation required at each before PCN can be filed.