Here are the slides, videos and some notes from today’s webinar on  State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and how to interact with them for your broadband deployment proposals.

Update from Office of Broadband Development

• Current grant round deadline is May 10, 1pm.
• Digital Equity Plan was approved by NTIA. Identifies areas to support in the State. Awarded $12M.
• BEAD volumes 1 and 2 are in process.

Presentation from State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) – how to review historic preservation issue using SHPO and Dep pf Admin portals

Questions:

We have an archeologist, but a new guy says he can do phase 1A and get it reviewed. Is that true or do we need to do it all?
Grant times are strict. We say do all of the fieldwork so as not to waste time. Generally the desktop assessment is not sufficient.

Timeframes – is there a deadline for SHPO to respond?
Not in state statute. Federal deadline is 30 and we try but we simply have too much work. We say it takes 30-60 days.

What are common mistakes?
People miss the cover letter. It helps us hugely – especially if you address your intentions.
Need to understand that cemetery or tribal burial area – are sacred. Try to avoid them.
Tell us as much about the deployment plan as you can so that we can understand the implications of having to make certain charges.

Where can we find past surveys?
We wish – but no plan here

If we are only working on highway do we need to do a review?
Yes.

What’s your take on pole replacement?
It hasn’t come up with broadband.

Drop locations – we don’t normally go to customer location. Is that OK?
We are looking at recommendations on this too. We think it’s the mainline that are important at this point. Some drops have been issues because they go through cemeteries – but usually private cemeteries.

Is review necessary with arial construction?
If you’re putting in new poles – it’s necessary. We haven’t seen many like that.

How about replacing poles?
Yes that needs to be reviewed – if it gets State funding.

If we’re using existing pole, but going over land, do we need to do a review?
No, not if there’s no ground disturbance. Actually sounds like this hasn’t been decided.