The ArcGIS Pro Permitting and Environmental Information Tool (APPEIT) Project Package includes all of the layers that are in the NTIA Permitting and Environmental Information Application as well as the APPEIT Tool which will allow users to input a project area and determine what layers from the application overlap with it. An overview of the project package and the APPEIT tool is provided below.

User instructions on how to use the tool are available here. A video explaining how to use the Project Package is also available here.

Project Package Overview

This map package includes all of the layers from the NTIA Permitting and Environmental Information Application. The layers included are all feature services from various Federal and State agencies. The map package was created with ArcGIS Pro 3.4.0. The map package was created to allow users easy access to all feature services including symbology. The map package will allow users to avoid downloading datasets individually and easily incorporate into their own GIS system. The map package includes three maps.

1. Permitting and Environmental Information Application Layers for GIS Analysis - This map includes all of the map tabs shown in the application, except State Data which is provided in another tab. This map includes feature services that can be used for analysis with other project layers such as a route or project area.

2. Permitting and Environmental Information Application Layers – For Reference Only - This map includes layers that cannot be used for analysis since they are either imagery or tile layers.

3. State Data - Reference Only - This map includes all relevant state data that is shown in the application.

The NTIA Permitting and Environmental Information Application was created to help with your permitting planning and environmental review preparation efforts by providing access to multiple maps from publicly available sources, including federal review, permitting, and resource agencies. The application should be used for informational purposes only and is intended solely to assist users with preliminary identification of areas that may require permits or planning to avoid potentially significant impacts to environmental resources subject to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other statutory requirements. Multiple maps are provided in the application which are created from public sources. This application does not have an exhaustive list of everything you need for permitting or environmental review for a project but is an initial starting point to see what might be required.

APPEIT Tool OverviewThe Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is providing the ArcGIS Pro Permitting and Environmental Information Tool (APPEIT) to help federal broadband grant recipients and subgrantees identify permits and environmental factors as they plan routes for their broadband deployments. Identifying permit requirements early, initiating pre-application coordination with permitting agencies, and avoiding environmental impacts help drive successful infrastructure projects. NTIA’s public release of the APPEIT tool supports government-wide efforts to improve permitting and explore how online and digital technologies can promote efficient environmental reviews.

This Esri ArcGIS Pro tool is included in the map package and was created to support permitting, planning, and environmental review preparation efforts by providing access to data layers from publicly available sources, including federal review, permitting, and resource agencies. An SOP on how to use the tool is available here. For the full list of APPEIT layers, see Appendix Table 1 in the SOP. The tool is comprised of an ArcGIS Pro Project containing a custom ArcGIS Toolbox tool, linked web map shared by the NTIA’s National Broadband Map (NBAM), a report template, and a Tasks item to guide users through using the tool. This ArcGIS Pro project and its contents (maps and data) are consolidated into this (.ppkx) project file.

To use APPEIT, users will input a project area boundary or project route line in a shapefile or feature class format. The tool will return as a CSV and PDF report that lists any federal layers from the ArcGIS Pro Permitting and Environmental Information Web Map that intersect the project. Users may only input a single project area or line at a time; multiple projects or project segments will need to be screened separately. For project route lines, users are required to specify a buffer distance. The buffer distance that is used for broadband projects should be determined by the area of anticipated impact and should generally not exceed 500 feet. For example, the State of Maryland recommends a 100-foot buffer for broadband permitting. The tool restricts buffers to two miles to ensure relevant results.

Disclaimer

This document is intended solely to assist federal broadband grant recipients and subgrantees in better understanding Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) broadband grant programs and the requirements set forth in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for this program. This document does not and is not intended to supersede, modify, or otherwise alter applicable statutory or regulatory requirements, the terms and conditions of the award, or the specific application requirements set forth in the NOFO. In all cases, statutory and regulatory mandates, the terms and conditions of the award, the requirements set forth in the NOFO, and follow-on policies and guidance, shall prevail over any inconsistencies contained in this document.

NTIA’s ArcGIS Pro Permitting and Environmental Information Tool (APPEIT) should be used for informational purposes only and is intended solely to assist users with preliminary identification of broadband deployments that may require permits or planning to avoid potentially significant impacts to environmental resources subject to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other statutory requirements.

The tool is not an exhaustive or complete resource and does not and is not intended to substitute for, supersede, modify, or otherwise alter any applicable statutory or regulatory requirements, or the specific application requirements set forth in any NTIA NOFO, Terms and Conditions, or Special Award Condition. In all cases, statutory and regulatory mandates, and the requirements set forth in NTIA grant documents, shall prevail over any inconsistencies contained in these templates.

The tool relies on publicly available data available on the websites of other federal, state, local, and Tribal agencies, and in some instances, private organizations and research institutions. Layers identified with a double asterisk include information relevant to determining if an “extraordinary circumstance” may warrant more detailed environmental review when a categorical exclusion may otherwise apply. While NTIA continues to make amendments to its websites to comply with Section 508, NTIA cannot ensure Section 508 compliance of federal and non-federal websites or resources users may access from links on NTIA websites.

All data is presented “as is,” “as available” for informational purposes. NTIA does not warrant the accuracy, adequacy, or completeness of this information and expressly disclaims liability for any errors or omissions.

Please e-mail NTIAanalytics@ntia.gov with any questions.