Communications facilities (e.g., buildings, cabinets, towers) and equipment located on National Forest System lands are an integral part of the nation’s telecommunications infrastructure. The authorized infrastructure supports over 10,000 wireless uses, including federal, state and local governments for critical communications, emergency services, railroads, utility companies, and private communications companies for personal communications, and television and radio broadcast uses.
Currently, the Forest Service manages over 1,350 communications sites and administers approximately 3,500 individual authorizations (lease or permit). In 2019, the Forest Service collected approximately $13 million in rental fees for these uses.
LAW, REGULATION, POLICY AND OTHER APPLICABLE GUIDANCE
Law
FLPMA Title V of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) of October 21, 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1761-1771
47 U.S.C. 332
Telecommunications Act of 1996 (47 U.S.C. 332)
Section 6409 of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (47 U.S.C. 1455), as amended by section 606(a), division P, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (Pub. L. No. 115-141, 132 Stat. 1011)
Executive Order 13616
Executive Order 13616 of June 14, 2012 “Accelerating Broadband Infrastructure Deployment”
Executive Order 13821
Executive Order 13821 of January 8, 2018 “Streamlining and Expediting Requests to Locate Broadband Facilities in Rural America”
APPLYING FOR A COMMUNICATIONS USE AUTHORIZATION
The Forest Service authorizes communications uses on National Forest System lands with a lease or permit. The Forest Service encourages, and in some instances requires, co-location within or on existing facilities. Proposed uses must be consistent with our management objectives for the site and compatible with all existing uses.
All designated communications sites must have a current communications site management plan that is consistent with in the applicable Land Management Plan (LMP) and with any separate National Environmental Planning Act (NEPA) decision document. The communications site management plan must provide site specific direction and guidance to Forest Service personnel, the communications site users, and the public.
In 1996, the Forest Service adopted a national rental fee schedule for communications uses. Rental fees are based upon two criteria 1) the type of communications use and 2) the population of the largest community served by the communications site.
Each lease holder must submit an annual inventory certification that lists the holder’s use and all occupants and their use, within or on the facility, as of September 30th. This information must be received by the National Billing Team no later than October 15th. The Forest Service uses this information to calculate the following calendar year rental fee.
National Communications Use Billing Team
Address: 2900 NW Stewart Parkway, Roseburg, Oregon 97471
Phone: 541-957-3291
FAX: 541-957-3495
E-mail: SM.FS.wocommuses@usda.gov
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