Supplemental Environmental Assessment (EA)

Colorado Community Anchors Broadband Consortium Project EAGLE-Net Alliance Grant Award No. NT11BIX5570001 Various Locations, Colorado, and Wyoming

March 19, 2013 Terracon Project No. 01127051

Prepared for: National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Broadband Technology Opportunities Program Washington, D.C.

Prepared by: Terracon Consultants, Inc. Wichita, Kansas

TABLE OF CONTENTS Page No. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... VI INTRODUCTION ...... 1 PURPOSE AND NEED ...... 2 DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVES ...... 5 3.1 PROPOSED ACTION ...... 5 3.2 Alternatives ...... 12 No Action Alternative ...... 12 Complete Core Network Fiber Alternative ...... 12 Alternatives Considered but Eliminated from Further Discussion ...... 13 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT ...... 13 4.1 Noise ...... 13 4.2 Air Quality ...... 13 4.3 Geology and Soils ...... 14 4.4 WATER RESOURCES ...... 15 Streams and Rivers ...... 15 Wetlands ...... 16 Floodplains ...... 16 Groundwater ...... 17 4.5 Biological Resources ...... 17 4.6 Historic and Cultural Resources ...... 19 4.7 Aesthetic and Visual Resources ...... 24 4.8 Land Use...... 24 4.9 Infrastructure ...... 24 4.10 Socioeconomic Resources ...... 25 4.11 Human Health and Safety ...... 26 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES ...... 26 5.1 Noise ...... 26 5.2 Air Quality ...... 27 5.3 Geology and Soils ...... 28 5.4 Water Resources ...... 28 Streams and Rivers ...... 28 Wetlands ...... 29 Floodplains ...... 29 Groundwater ...... 30 5.5 Biological Resources ...... 30 5.6 Historic and Cultural Resources ...... 37 5.7 Aesthetic and Visual Resources ...... 40 5.8 Land Use...... 41 5.9 Infrastructure ...... 41 5.10 Socioeconomic Resources ...... 41

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TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONT.)

5.11 Human Health and Safety ...... 43 5.12 Cumulative Impacts ...... 45 FEDERAL AND STATE AGENCY CONSULTATION, COORDINATION, AND COMMUNICATION 46 6.1 National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) ...... 46 6.2 Bureau of Indian Affairs – Southern Ute Agency...... 47 6.3 Bureau of Land Management ...... 48 6.4 Bureau of Reclamation ...... 49 6.5 U.S. Forest Service ...... 49 6.6 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service ...... 51 6.7 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ...... 51 6.8 Colorado Department of Transportation ...... 52 LIST OF AGENCIES CONSULTED ...... 52 LIST OF PREPARERS ...... 55 REFERENCES ...... 56

FIGURES

Figure 2.1 Colorado Broadband Map ...... 3 Figure 2.2 Colorado Economically Distressed Area Map ...... 4 Figure 3.1.1 State Wide Project Map ...... 6 Figure 3.1.2 CAI Location Map ...... 8 Figure 3.1.3 Vibratory Plow Photo ...... 9 Figure 4.6.1 Colorado SHPO File Search Summary Table ...... 21 Figure 4.6.2 Wyoming SHPO File Search Summary Table ...... 23 Figure 5.5.1 Table of Species Reviewed for Section 7 ...... 32 Figure 5.5.2 Clay Loving Wild Buckwheat Potentially Suitable Habitat Map as defined by USFWS ...... 35 Figure 5.5.3 Pagosa Skyrocket Critical and Potentially Suitable Habitat Map as defined by USFWS ...... 36

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APPENDICES

Appendix A – Suspension Letter Appendix B – State Maps Appendix C – CAIs Appendix D – Construction Pictures Appendix E – Cabinets Appendix F – CDOT Erosion Control Appendix G – Common Wildlife Species Appendix H – T&E Wildlife Species Appendix I – Waterways & USACE Appendix J – Ozone Control Area Appendix K – BIA & Southern Ute Appendix L – BLM Appendix M – Bureau of Reclamation Appendix N – USFWS Appendix O – USFS Appendix P – CO SHPO Appendix Q – CPW Appendix R – WY SHPO Appendix S – WY Game & Fish Appendix T – Tribes Appendix U – Previously Eliminated Alternatives

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LIST OF ACRONYMS

ARRA American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 APE Area of Potential Effect (area of study for archeological and historic resources) BGEPA Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act BIA U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs BLM U.S. Bureau of Land Management BMP Best Management Practice BOCES Boards of Cooperative Educational Services BOR U.S. Bureau of Reclamation BTOP Broadband Technology Opportunities Program CAI Community Anchor Institution CBOCES Centennial Board of Cooperative Educational Services CCABC Colorado Community Anchors Broadband Consortium CDOT Colorado Department of Transportation CDPS Colorado Discharge Permit System CDW Colorado Division of Wildlife (former name of CPW) CEQ Council on Environmental Quality CPW Colorado Parks and Wildlife (formerly Colorado Division of Wildlife) EA Environmental Assessment (NEPA document) EAGLE-Net Educational Access Gateway Learning Environment Network EHP Environmental and Historic Preservation ENA EAGLE-Net Alliance EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ESA Endangered Species Act of 1973 FCC U.S. Federal Communications Commission FEMA U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency FHWA U.S. Federal Highway Administration FIRM Flood Insurance Rate Maps FONSI Finding of No Significant Impact FS Forest Service GHG Greenhouse Gas HDPE High Density Polyethylene IRU Indefeasible Right to Use MBTA Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 NCA Noise Control Act (Noise Pollution and Abatement Act of 1972) NEPA National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 NFHL National Flood Hazard Layer NHPA National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 NOAA U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NPDES National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System NRCS U.S. Natural Resource Conservation Service NRHP National Register of Historic Places NWI National Wetland Inventory

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TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONT.)

NTIA U.S. National Telecommunications and Information Administration OSHA U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration PA Programmatic Agreement POI Point of Interconnect ROW Right of Way RUS U.S. Rural Utilities Service SHPO State Historic Preservation Office SWPPP Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan T&E Threatened and Endangered TCNS FAA Tower Construction Notification System TIA Telecommunications Industry Association USACE U.S. Army Corps of Engineers USDA U.S. Department of Agriculture USFS U.S. Forest Service USFWS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service USGS U.S. Geological Survey WYGF Wyoming Game and Fish WYCRIS Wyoming Cultural Resource Information System WYDOT Wyoming Department of Transportation

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) awarded this grant to the Colorado Community Anchors Broadband Consortium, through the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP), as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The funding must be obligated and the project completed within 3 years (September 30, 2013). This timeline is driven by the laws and regulations governing the use of this (ARRA) grant funding.

This Supplemental Environmental Assessment (EA) was prepared for (BTOP) Grant Award No. NT11BIX5570001, Colorado Community Anchors Broadband Consortium (CCABC) because of substantial changes in the Proposed Action that was reviewed in the original EA (Terracon, 2011) and found by the NTIA (NTIA, 2011) to present no significant impact [40 CFR 1502.9(c)]. The original EA (Terracon, 2011) is incorporated by reference into this Supplemental EA.

On December 6, 2011, The CCABC project was suspended by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Grants Office (Appendix A). The Suspension Letter specified that the grant recipient, Educational Access Gateway Learning Environment Network (EAGLE-Net), immediately cease project construction work and provide various materials and information to NTIA, including the following items.

■ Current project description and maps that includes all previously and proposed project modifications; ■ Project schedule illustrating remaining environmental and historic preservation Environmental and Historic Preservation (EHP) actions, interdependencies between actions, and critical paths for completing the project in the performance period; ■ Construction status of the project and documentation of consultations with the U.S. Fish and Wildfire Service (USFWS) , Colorado and Wyoming State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPO) and Federally recognized Tribal nations; and ■ Documentation of permits and or licenses required by relevant Federal entities including, but not limited to, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Bureau of Reclamation (BOR), Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

This Supplemental EA for the modified BTOP project complies with the NEPA and the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA), and provides much of the information required by the December 6, 2012 grant Suspension Letter.

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Supplemental Environmental Assessment Colorado Community Anchors Broadband Consortium Project Various Locations, Colorado March 19, 2013 ■ Terracon Project No. 01127051

Project Status at Suspension When the CCABC project was suspended, the grant recipient was in the process of:

■ Installing 1,070 miles of buried fiber optic cable in Colorado; – 84% of northeast quadrant miles constructed (370.59 miles planned; 311.66 miles constructed as of 6 Dec 2012) – 85% of northwest quadrant miles constructed (4.3 miles planned; 3.68 miles constructed as of 6 Dec 2012) – 60% of southwest quadrant miles constructed (448.32 miles planned; 268.46 miles constructed as of 6 Dec 2012) – 75% of southeast quadrant miles constructed (191.32 miles planned; 144.17 miles constructed as of 6 Dec 2012)

■ Leasing 2,200 miles of existing dark fiber through Indefeasible Rights to Use (IRUs); – Agreements executed for 1718 miles as of 6 Dec 2012 ■ Leasing 242 miles of existing wireless links through IRUs; – Agreements executed for 242 miles as of 6 Dec 2012 ■ Installing microwave infrastructure on 37 towers and 9 buildings (for approximately 400 miles of new wireless links); and – Installation completed at 0 sites as of 6 Dec 2012 ■ Connecting 223 community anchor institutions (CAIs) – Installation completed at 104 CAIs as of 6 Dec 2012

Additionally, the recipient had installed upgraded electronics in equipment racks in existing Point of Interconnect (POI) sites to improve capacity for 190 miles of existing fiber, and installed upgraded electronics in existing equipment racks/cabinets to improve capacity for 73 miles of existing wireless infrastructure. These installations were completed within existing facilities by December 6, 2012, and did not involve any ground-disturbing work.

This Supplemental EA only evaluates the new (proposed) segments of the CCABC project; it does not evaluate the constructed (existing) portions of the project. The previously constructed portions of the CCABC project (i.e., segments built before December 6, 2012 grant suspension) were generally completed with methods described in the Complete Core Network Fiber Alternative of this Supplemental EA, and in accordance with the Preferred Alternative (Proposed Action) of the original EA and the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), the Programmatic Agreement (PA) with the Colorado SHPO, and the guidelines and permits issued by State and Federal agencies. Deviations from the Proposed Action prior to the grant suspension that

Responsive ■ Resourceful ■ Reliable vii Supplemental Environmental Assessment Colorado Community Anchors Broadband Consortium Project Various Locations, Colorado March 19, 2013 ■ Terracon Project No. 01127051 occurred, and potentially caused impacts, are being addressed by the responsible State and Federal agencies. With NTIA concurrence, EAGLE-Net is cooperating with these agencies to determine the extent of the impacts, if any, and what mitigation or enforcement actions may be required.

Project Description (Proposed Action) Completion of the CCABC project presented and evaluated in this Supplemental EA would expand and increase Colorado's broadband network, and increase service to 1 Gbps or faster at school districts, libraries, and community anchor institutions across the State. The project would also bring broadband access to one county in southern Wyoming. Overall, the project would increase broadband accessibility and affordability for an estimated 1,600,000 households and 50,000 businesses, with leasing of more than 2,200 miles of existing dark fiber, installation of 1,070 miles of terrestrial fiber, leasing of 242 miles of existing wireless broadband, and installation of more than 400 miles of microwave wireless broadband.

Environmental impacts and costs of the CCABC project would be minimized by using existing fiber optic infrastructure and wireless tower infrastructure. The primary method of installation would be by vibratory plowing. Directional boring and trenching would be used to install short sections of new fiber optic lines, particularly in areas of existing infrastructure (e.g., roads and railroads) and environmentally sensitive habitat (e.g., streams and wetlands). Additionally, broadband electronics would be installed in new and existing, huts, cabinets, and handholds, as well as in existing building and on existing towers. No buildings or towers would be constructed by the CCABC project.

Purpose and Need The purpose and need of the CCABC project remains the same as evaluated in the July 2011 EA. The propose of the project is to expand and enhance broadband service in underserved and unserved areas of Colorado and in one county of southern Wyoming, which would improve access to information by educational and public institutions (e.g. schools, universities, libraries), and provide opportunity for economic growth and job creation in rural communities. The completed project would provide access to unserved and underserved areas, educational and public institutions (e.g. schools, universities, libraries), and provide the opportunity for economic growth and job creation by providing new opportunities for rural communities.

The need for this project is caused by diverse, rugged physical geography of Colorado, which is a financial obstacle to fiber build-out. One linear mile of distance can equate to up to six miles of fiber optic cable in rugged terrain. Correspondingly, private utility companies have found it economically unfeasible to build middle-mile broadband infrastructure in rural Colorado with current broadband infrastructure. Even when available, rural Colorado broadband customers pay up to 10 times the cost of comparable broadband service of urban areas, often with lower connectivity speeds. The State is currently ranked 42nd in the nation in broadband connectivity.

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Alternatives Evaluated Three alternatives are evaluated in this Supplemental EA.

Proposed Action (Preferred Alternative) The Preferred Alternative is to complete the build-out of a middle-mile network to connect unserved and underserved portions of Colorado’s 64 counties and one county in Wyoming, connecting 223 institutions, including 168 school districts, 26 libraries, 15 community colleges, and three universities (Air Force Academy, Colorado College, and the University of Northern Colorado) (Appendix C). The project would provide connectivity for one school district and two libraries on the Southern Ute Indian Reservation.

Planned construction for the Preferred Alternative includes the following:

 Installation of 342 miles buried fiber optic cable;

 Leasing of approximately 482 miles of existing dark fiber through Indefeasible Rights to Use (IRUs);

 Installation of microwave infrastructure on 37 existing towers and 9 buildings for approximately 400 miles of new wireless links (including wireless links over Critical and or Potentially Suitable Habitat of the endangered Pagosa skyrocket, Ipomopsis polyantha) and Clay-loving buckwheat, Eriogonum pelinophilum);

 Connections to 119 community anchor institutions (CAIs)

No Action Alternative The No Action Alternative evaluated in this Supplemental EA is defined as no further construction of the CCABC project. Installation of infrastructure that ceased in accordance with the requirements of the Suspension Letter (Appendix A) would not resume. Where economically feasible, some constructed portions of the middle-mile infrastructure (including fiber installed before December 6, 2012) might be used to deliver last-mile broadband services. Connections to the remaining 119 of the 223 CAIs would not be completed. The No Action Alternative was not chosen as the Preferred Alternative because it does not meet the purpose and need of the Federal Action.

Complete Core Network Fiber Alternative This alternative is similar to the Preferred Alternative, but with a 100% fiber-optic core ring, including fiber buried in Critical and Potentially Suitable Habitat of the endangered Pagosa skyrocket (Ipomopsis polyantha) and Clay-loving buckwheat (Eriogonum pelinophilum). This alternative would enable broadband service of at least 1 Gbps throughout the middle-mile infrastructure, and deliver high-speed service to more unserved and underserved locations in

Responsive ■ Resourceful ■ Reliable ix Supplemental Environmental Assessment Colorado Community Anchors Broadband Consortium Project Various Locations, Colorado March 19, 2013 ■ Terracon Project No. 01127051 the State than the Proposed Action. This alternative was not chosen as the Preferred Alternative because completion of the Biological Assessments and Formal Consultation with the USFWS could not be finished in time for the CCABC project to be restarted and completed in time to meet the ARRA grant completion deadline of September 30, 2013, and therefore does not meet the purpose and need of the Federal Action.

Summary Based on analysis completed as part of this Supplemental EA, the Proposed Action to install 342 miles buried fiber optic cable and install microwave infrastructure on 37 existing towers and 9 buildings would not result in significant negative impacts to the environment, human health, or cultural resources. Correspondingly, the CCABC project is expected to provide several positive socioeconomic benefits, improvements to human health and safety, and benefits to land use within the area served by the project. In addition, the project would provide unserved and underserved communities with lower cost broadband access and improvements in education and communications.

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SUPPLEMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Colorado Community Anchors Broadband Consortium Project EAGLE-Net Alliance Various Locations, Colorado, and Wyoming Terracon Project No. 01127051 March 19, 2013

1.0 INTRODUCTION

This grant was awarded by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to the Colorado Community Anchors Broadband Consortium, through the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP), as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The funding must be obligated and the project completed within 3 years (September 30, 2013). This timeline is driven by the laws and regulations governing the use of this ARRA grant funding.

This Supplemental Environmental Assessment (EA) was prepared for BTOP Grant Award No. NT11BIX5570001, Colorado Community Anchors Broadband Consortium (CCABC) because of substantial changes in the Proposed Action that was reviewed in the original EA (Terracon, 2011) and found by NTIA (2011) to present no significant impact [40 CFR 1502.9(c)]. The original EA (Terracon, 2011) is incorporated by reference into this Supplemental EA.

On December 6, 2012, the CCABC project was suspended by the NOAA Grants Office (Appendix A) pending re-evaluation of the project for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) and the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA).

The information contained in this Supplemental EA presented the purpose and need for the remaining elements of the CCABC broadband project, and summarizes impact evaluations on ten environmental resource areas: Noise, Air Quality, Geology and Soils, Water Resources, Biological Resources, Historic and Cultural Resources, Aesthetic and Visual Resources, Land Use, Infrastructure, and Socioeconomic Resources. Potential impacts of the project on Human Health and Safety, as well as Cumulative Impacts, are also evaluated and presented. Construction and infrastructure built before the project was suspended on December 6, 2013 is not evaluated in this document.

This Supplemental EA only evaluates the new (proposed) segments of the CCABC project; it does not evaluate the constructed (existing) portions of the project. The previously constructed portions of the CCABC project (i.e., segments built before December 6, 2012 grant suspension) were generally completed with methods described in the Complete Core Network Fiber Alternative of this Supplemental EA, and in accordance with the Preferred Alternative (Proposed

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Action) of the original EA and FONSI, the Programmatic Agreement (PA) with the Colorado SHPO, and the guidelines and permits issued by State and Federal agencies. Deviations from the Proposed Action prior to the grant suspension that occurred, and potentially caused impacts, are being addressed by the responsible State and Federal agencies. With NTIA concurrence, EAGLE-Net is cooperating with these agencies to determine the extent of the impacts, if any, and what mitigation or enforcement actions may be required.

2.0 PURPOSE AND NEED

Purpose The propose of the project is to expand and enhance broadband service in underserved and unserved areas of Colorado and in one county of southern Wyoming, which would improve access to information by educational and public institutions (e.g. schools, universities, libraries), and provide opportunity for economic growth and job creation in rural communities. The geography of rural Colorado is an impediment of fiber build-out. One linear mile of distance can equate to six miles of fiber cable in rugged terrain. Private utility companies have found it economically unfeasible to build middle-mile broadband infrastructure in rural Colorado with current broadband infrastructure. Even when available, rural Colorado broadband customers pay up to 10 times the cost of comparable broadband service of urban areas, often with lower connectivity speeds. The State is currently ranked 42nd in the nation in broadband connectivity. The CCABC project would increase broadband accessibility and affordability for an estimated 1,600,000 households and 50,000 businesses.

Need The need for this project is to mitigate the socioeconomic, human-health, and safety impacts that presently existing across large areas of the State, which are partly caused by little or no access to broadband service. Hospitals, schools, universities, and libraries in rural areas of the State are delivering compromised or inefficient services because of restricted communication infrastructure. Economic growth and job creation in these communities are similarly stifled by limited broadband access.

The Colorado Broadband map (Figure 2-1 - http://maps.co.gov/coloradobroadband/) shown on the following page illustrates the lack of broadband capacity in the rural areas of the State. As shown in the map, even some urban areas fall short of the long-term national broadband plan objective of affordable access to at least 1 Gbps service to anchor institutions such as schools, hospitals, and government buildings. (Federal Communications Commission, “National Broadband Plan: Connecting America,” Chapter 2, http://www.broadband.gov/plan/2-goals-for-a-high-performance-america/.)

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Figure 2.1 – Colorado Broadband Map

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In addition to the lack of broadband capacity, the following map (Figure 2.2) showing economically distressed areas in Colorado illustrates that many of the areas in the state with insufficient broadband are also in economically distressed areas. It may not be possible to quantify a direct correlation between areas that are economically distressed having insufficient broadband; however, providing affordable broadband service in these areas does provide the opportunity to access services at reduced costs similar to other areas in the state.

Figure 2.2 – Colorado Economically Distressed Areas Map

Economic constraints encountered by private utility companies have resulted in limited or non- existent and often costly broadband coverage for education, healthcare, public safety, and community facilities in many areas of the state. Colorado is ranked 42nd of the 50 states in broadband connectivity, and facilities in rural or remote areas of the state pay approximately 10 times the rate of neighboring states for inferior broadband bandwidth. The CCABC project

Responsive ■ Resourceful ■ Reliable 4 Supplemental Environmental Assessment Colorado Community Anchors Broadband Consortium Project Various Locations, Colorado March 19, 2013 ■ Terracon Project No. 01127051 would improve access and affordability for education, healthcare, public safety, and community institutions throughout the state of Colorado.

3.0 DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVES

3.1 PROPOSED ACTION

The CCABC project would require the construction and completion of approximately 1,070 miles of new underground fiber optic cable, and 46 collocations of antennas onto existing towers or buildings. No new buildings or towers will be constructed.

The Proposed Action includes the following:

■ Installation of 342 miles buried fiber optic cable; ■ Leasing of approximately 482 miles of existing dark fiber through Indefeasible Rights to Use (IRUs); ■ Installation of microwave infrastructure on 37 existing towers and 9 buildings for approximately 400 miles of new wireless links (including wireless links over Critical and or Potentially Suitable Habitat of the endangered Pagosa skyrocket, Ipomopsis polyantha) and Clay-loving buckwheat, Eriogonum pelinophilum); ■ Connections to 119 community anchor institutions (CAIs)

Approximately 11 miles of the 342 miles of buried fiber optic cable would be in Laramie County, Wyoming, to connect to a new fiber route constructed in collaboration with the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) beginning at 120th Street near Denver north to the Colorado-Wyoming border along Interstate 25. The statewide project map is displayed below.

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Figure 3.1.1 – State Wide Project Map

When the CCABC project was suspended, the grant recipient was in the process of:

■ Installing 1,070 miles of buried fiber optic cable in Colorado; – 84% of northeast quadrant miles constructed (370.59 miles planned; 311.66 miles constructed as of 6 Dec 2012) – 85% of northwest quadrant miles constructed (4.3 miles planned; 3.68 miles constructed as of 6 Dec 2012) – 60% of southwest quadrant miles constructed (448.32 miles planned; 268.46 miles constructed as of 6 Dec 2012) – 75% of southeast quadrant miles constructed (191.32 miles planned; 144.17 miles constructed as of 6 Dec 2012) ■ Leasing 2,200 miles of existing dark fiber through Indefeasible Rights to Use (IRUs); – Agreements executed for 1718 miles as of 6 Dec 2012 ■ Leasing 242 miles of existing wireless links through IRUs;

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– Agreements executed for 242 miles as of 6 Dec 2012 ■ Installing microwave infrastructure on 37 towers and 9 buildings (for approximately 400 miles of new wireless links); and – Installation completed at 0 sites as of 6 Dec 2012 ■ Connecting 223 community anchor institutions (CAIs) – Installation completed at 104 CAIs as of 6 Dec 2012

Additionally, the recipient had installed upgraded electronics in equipment racks in existing POI sites to improve capacity for 190 miles of existing fiber, and installed upgraded electronics in existing equipment racks/cabinets to improve capacity for 73 miles of existing wireless infrastructure. These installations were completed within existing facilities by December 6, 2012, and did not involve any ground-disturbing work.

Further details regarding the locations of fiber routes and construction status are included in the maps in Appendix B. There are also detailed Federal agency specific maps included in each agency appendix.

The CCABC project would connect 223 CAI’s, including 168 school districts, 26 libraries, 11 Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES), 15 community colleges, and three universities. New fiber would be installed in public rights-of-way along previously disturbed roadways, utility corridors, and railroad rights-of-way, and would generally parallel existing utility lines. A map showing the location of the CAI’s is depicted below and is included in Appendix C with additional CAI information.

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Figure 3.1.2 – CAI Location Map

Fiber Optic Cable The approximately 1,070 miles of fiber optic cable would be installed using underground placement within existing road and railroad rights-of-way. Underground installation would typically occur via vibratory plowing in rural areas, but would be completed using directional boring in urban areas (to avoid impacts to roads, sidewalks, driveways, etc.) and in areas where use of directional boring would facilitate avoidance of impacts to environmental resources, such as streams and wetlands. Bridge attachment may also be utilized to avoid impacts to wetlands and streams. The number and locations where bridge attachment would be utilized would be determined upon final design. Trenching would be utilized on a limited basis where vibratory plowing and directional boring are not feasible due to access constraints, costs, or other concerns. Existing buried conduit along Hwy 160, within the Rio Grande National Forest, is also being utilized along a portion of the route (Appendix O). During construction, handholes would be placed, in the right of way, at intervals of approximately 500 feet in urban environments and approximately 1500 feet in rural areas. The handholes are installed flush to the surface with a depth of 18 inches. These handholes are used for fiber slack storage and fiber splicing

Responsive ■ Resourceful ■ Reliable 8 Supplemental Environmental Assessment Colorado Community Anchors Broadband Consortium Project Various Locations, Colorado March 19, 2013 ■ Terracon Project No. 01127051 locations. In Appendix D, there are spec sheets of the handholes as well as a photo of a handhole after installation. Telecommunication equipment cabinets would also be placed in the public right of way. These cabinets sit on a modified handhole base. A photo of an installed cabinet is included in Appendix E along with spec sheets on the cabinet and base. Also included in Appendix E is a map of the cabinet locations and a spreadsheet with additional cabinet information.

Vibratory plowing consists of the use of a specialized piece of machinery called a track plow. The plow opens a slot into the ground at the specified depth. The typical ground disturbance width when plowing is between 6 and 8 feet. The slot is no more than 6-inches wide. A reel of conduit is loaded onto the plow, and as the plow moves forward, the conduit is fed into a chute, which directs the conduit into the bottom of the slot opened by the plow, typically approximately 36 inches below ground surface. The conduit is laid at the proper depth, and as the plow continues forward, the excavated slot is compacted back to ground level. In a rural area with a minimal amount of obstructions, plowing is the most time‐ and cost‐efficient method of placing underground fiber cable. Transport vehicles would also be required to accompany the track plow, including a cable reel truck, vehicles for transporting construction personnel, and a truck and trailer to transport other equipment and supplies. Ground disturbance associated with vibratory plowing is limited to the narrow (approximately 6-inch) slot created by the plow and limited disturbance associated with movement of the tractor pulling plow along the route. A photo of a plow operation is inserted below. This photo along with other construction images is included in Appendix D.

Figure 3.1.3 – Vibratory Plow Photo

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Directional boring consists of utilizing a boring rig to create a borehole, typically 4-6 inches in diameter, at an appropriate depth. The typical ground disturbance width when directional boring is between 4 and 8 feet depending on the size of bore rig required. Depth of boreholes depends on need, as directional boring is utilized to avoid obstacles such as streams. Therefore, the depth would vary based on depth of impediment. Similarly, although bore lengths are generally less than 100 feet, they may be as long as hundreds of feet depending on the obstacles being avoided. A bore may be commenced with a bore pit, which allows the bore to occur at the proper depth. The boring head is then directed forward by the operator and tunnels through the ground beneath the obstruction. As the head moves forward, 10-foot rod sections are added to the boring rig to increase the length of the excavation as necessary. A slurry mixture is introduced through the rods and bore to soften the soil for compaction around the boring head path. After the obstruction is cleared, the boring head is directed toward the ground surface. When the boring head breaks the surface, flexible High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) casing is attached to the bore head, and the head is then pulled back through the excavation, which pulls the piping into the excavation thereby creating a pathway through which the cable may be installed. Directional boring would require a boring rig, a cable reel truck, and transport vehicles for personnel and other equipment and supplies. Ground disturbance for directional boring is limited to areas of entrance and exit for the boring head, and the location of the boring rig during the drilling. Hand holes would be installed below-grade using small excavators to minimize soil disturbance. A photo of a directional boring operation is included in Appendix D.

Trenching consists of utilizing a backhoe or similar excavation equipment to open a trench from 8-12 inches wide by approximately 36 inches deep. The typical ground disturbance width when trenching is between 6 and 10 feet depending on the type of equipment utilized. Either conduit(s) would be placed in the bottom of the trench to allow the fiber optic cable to be installed within, or the fiber optic cable would be buried using the “direct-bury” method by placing the fiber optic cable in the bottom of the open trench. Following conduit or “direct-bury” cable installation, the trench would be backfilled and compacted with the same excavated material. As is the case with the other construction techniques described within this Supplemental EA, it is intended that trenching would occur within previously disturbed public rights-of-way. Pictures of trenching operations are included in Appendix D.

Micro-trenching utilizes special equipment to simultaneously cut a narrow trench, typically 12- 18-inches deep, through asphalt while at the same time removing spoil with a vacuum system. Ground disturbance when micro-trenching is limited to the width of the micro-trench in the roadbed, typically 2 to 4 inches. After conduits are placed in the trench, the excavation is filled with an environmentally safe grout that is immune to shrinkage, weathering, and erosion. After curing, asphalt mastic is applied on top of the grout filled trench. Through consultation with CDOT Micro-Trenching is the preferred method for completing construction over Wolf Creek Pass between Pagosa Springs and South Fork, Colorado. Photographs of micro-trenching are included in Appendix D.

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Community anchor institutions would be connected to the network through underground or aerial installation. If underground installation is utilized, existing communications conduit would be used to enter the buildings if available, or a new 2-inch penetration would be created through the facility wall if necessary. If aerial installation is completed, the new fiber line would be parallel with existing aerial utilities, and enter the building at the same location as existing utilities. No utility poles would be installed or replaced for this project. The locations where these installation methods would be utilized would be determined upon final design. Example building entrance pictures are included in Appendix D.

Wireless Technology Wireless technology would be utilized in areas where cable placement is not feasible, particularly in remote and rural portions of the state. Microwave antennas would be installed on existing telecommunications towers where possible, and no new towers would be constructed. Approximately 37 existing towers and 9 buildings would be utilized for collocations of new antennas.

Collocations to existing telecommunications towers would consist of installing a microwave antenna onto an existing tower in accordance with applicable FCC and industry guidelines and regulations. In addition, antenna collocations to buildings designated as historic would comply with Colorado Office of Archaeology & Historic Preservation (SHPO) recommendations and Best Management Practice (BMP): Attaching Broadband Equipment to Historic Buildings guidance document from the NTIA. Leasing agreements would be obtained from the existing tower owners. In addition, installation would include placing a 3-foot by 3-foot pre-cast concrete pad within the existing tower’s fenced compound. The pad would hold the new network equipment cabinet. Cabinet and base spec sheets and photos are included in Appendix E. Ground disturbance would not occur outside of the existing tower compound footprint. This weatherproof cabinet would house essential power and communication electronics such as batteries, power supplies, and microwave radios. If the tower compound has existing buildings for the collocation of tenant’s electronics, than an equipment cabinet would not be placed at the site. If required, emergency generators would be installed within the existing compound. Applicable zoning and permitting requirements would be met for these sites, and they would comply with requirements of the Nationwide Programmatic Agreement for Collocation of Wireless Antennas.

Antenna collocations to existing buildings would consist of attaching microwave antennas to the rooftops of existing buildings utilizing standard antenna and roof mounts. Co-axial cable would run from the roof to additional network equipment to be located inside the buildings. Collocations to existing structures would not require ground disturbance. Example microwave antennas are pictured in Appendix D.

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Construction and installation activities (plowing, directional boring, trenching, micro-trenching, antenna collocation, etc.) would be completed in accordance with industry standards and applicable Federal, State, and local guidelines and regulations. Installation of fiber optic cable would occur along existing roadway rights-of-way; therefore, appropriate permissions, permits, and agreements would be put in to place to utilize rights-of-way. Utility companies would be notified of cable installation to allow utility companies to mark locations of their existing facilities and avoid impacts to said facilities. Cable routes, cable depths, antenna heights, etc. would be adjusted as necessary to avoid impacts to other utilities and sensitive environmental resources.

In order to protect workers and motorists, the installation contractor would be required to follow CDOT and Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) methods for construction work- zone traffic control within rights-of-way. While the majority of the work would be off the roadway, adequate signage and barricades are necessary for the safe operation of equipment within the right of way. Similarly, installation personnel would adhere to applicable U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards for worker protection, including use of appropriate high visibility safety vests for construction zone personnel.

EAGLE-Net would consult with Federal, State, and local agencies and authorities, as required, and secure all necessary permits, permissions, and licenses before construction begins, and would submit post-construction reports as required..

3.2 Alternatives

3.2.1 No Action Alternative

The No Action Alternative evaluated in this Supplemental EA is defined as no further construction of the CCABC project. Installation of infrastructure that ceased in accordance with the requirements of the Suspension Letter (Appendix A) would not resume. This alternative would eliminate the need for any additional ground disturbing activities and all ancillary requirements. The No Action alternative fails to address the project’s purpose and need, but is included within this comparison to illustrate the potential impacts of the Proposed Action and Complete Core Network Fiber Alternative.

3.2.2 Complete Core Network Fiber Alternative

This alternative is similar to the Proposed Action, but with a 100% fiber-optic core ring, including fiber optic line installed in or near designated Critical and or Potentially Suitable Habitat, as defined by USFWS, for the Federally endangered Pagosa skyrocket (Ipomopsis polyantha) and Clay-loving buckwheat (Eriogonum pelinophilum). Maps of these alternative fiber routes are included in the USFWS Appendix N. This alternative was not chosen as the Preferred Alternative because completion of the Biological Assessments (BA) and Formal Consultation

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3.2.3 Alternatives Considered but Eliminated from Further Discussion

A summary of these alternatives from the original EA are included in Appendix U.

4.0 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

4.1 Noise

The level of existing ambient noise varies throughout the project area according to location and land use. Most of the project would be located along the right-of-way of existing roadways through agricultural areas. In these areas, ambient noise is primarily attributable to wind, passing cars, and farm machinery. Based on Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) information, outdoor noise levels range from 35 to 70 dB in typical rural and urban settings (EPA 1978). Noise near railroad rights-of-way is primarily attributable to passing trains. Areas adjacent to highways are likely to have increased noise levels that fluctuate with traffic patterns. In the urban portions of the project, ambient noise includes industrial operations, traffic, ventilation equipment, lawn mowers, railroad operations, and other varying sources. In addition, areas adjacent to major waterways, such as rivers, experience noise associated with water movement, particularly during times of high water flow or in areas containing rapids.

Sensitive receptors are land use types that have increased sensitivity to sound. Sensitive receptors within the project area include residential properties, schools, hospitals, churches and libraries and are found in various locations throughout the project area, particularly in urban areas.

4.2 Air Quality

The project area would be located in Colorado & Wyoming. The climate range in Colorado & Wyoming is profoundly affected by differences in elevation, with mountainous areas nearly always remaining cool and cool winters and warm summers in the plains regions (Western Regional Climate Center 2013). Temperatures between high and low elevations can vary as much as 35°F. In general, temperature decreases, and precipitation increases with altitude;

Responsive ■ Resourceful ■ Reliable 13 Supplemental Environmental Assessment Colorado Community Anchors Broadband Consortium Project Various Locations, Colorado March 19, 2013 ■ Terracon Project No. 01127051 total yearly precipitation can vary from 25 to 300 inches, with the most snow occurring in mountainous areas of the state. Humidity is generally low.

Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are components of the atmosphere that trap heat relatively near the surface of the earth, and therefore, contribute to the greenhouse effect and global warming. Most GHGs occur naturally in the atmosphere, but increases in their concentration result from human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels. Global temperatures are expected to continue to rise as human activities continue to add carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and other greenhouse (or heat-trapping) gases to the atmosphere. Since 1900, the Earth’s average surface air temperature has increased by about 1.2 to 1.4°F. The warmest global average temperatures on record have all occurred within the past 13 years, with the warmest year being 2005 (EPA 2012). Most of the U.S. is expected to experience an increase in average temperature. Precipitation changes, which are also very important to consider when assessing climate change effects, are the most difficult to predict. Whether or not rainfall would increase or decrease remains difficult to project for specific regions (EPA 2012). The extent of climate change effects, and whether these effects prove harmful or beneficial, would vary by region, over time, and with the ability of different societal and environmental systems to adapt to or cope with the change. Human health, agriculture, natural ecosystems, coastal areas, and heating and cooling requirements are examples of climate-sensitive systems. Rising average temperatures are already affecting the environment. Some observed changes include shrinking of glaciers, thawing of permafrost, later freezing and earlier break-up of ice on rivers and lakes, lengthening of growing seasons, shifts in plant and animal ranges, and earlier flowering of trees (EPA 2012, IPCC 2007).

The cable routes are along existing roadways or located in towns or urban areas. These areas experience air pollution from automobiles and other modes of transportation, industry, and agricultural related activities on a regular basis. Based on a review of information from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), there are several fiber optic routes that are located within the Denver-Boulder-Greeley-Fort Collins, Colorado Eight-Hour Ozone Control Area, which has a non-attainment status for ozone (Appendix J). Other areas of air quality concern were not identified within the project area.

4.3 Geology and Soils

Generalized descriptions of the geology of fiber-optic cable routes are presented in the following sections (USDA-NRCS 2012 and CGS 2012). Soil types within the project area vary widely due to the geographical extents of the project, with different parent materials, slopes, and climates.

 High Plains. Great Plains – Eastern Colorado/Wyoming Cable Routes: The cable routes traverse plains covered by Quaternary and Tertiary gravel, sand, and silt, or areas where Mesozoic to Tertiary sedimentary rocks (shale,

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sandstone, coal, limestone) are at or near the surface. The cable route crossing the Great Plains portion of Huerfano County also traverses more rugged terrain with scattered Tertiary intrusive bodies (volcanic necks, dikes, sills, etc.).

 Southern Rocky Mountains – West-Central Colorado Cable Routes: The cable routes traverse structurally complex areas of Paleozoic to Mesozoic sedimentary rocks locally intruded and covered by Tertiary volcanic and intrusive rocks, or which occur between fault-bound uplifts consisting of Precambrian granite and metamorphic basement rocks.

 Colorado Plateau – West-Central and Southwestern Colorado Cable Routes: The cable routes traverse a high plateau region underlain by relatively little- deformed Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic sedimentary rocks (shales, sandstones, conglomerates) locally intruded and covered by Mesozoic to Tertiary volcanic and intrusive rocks. The plateau has been eroded to form deep canyons and mesas, in which Precambrian basement rocks (granite, gneiss, schist) are locally exposed.

 Wyoming Basin – Northwestern Colorado Cable Routes: Cable routes within the towns of Meeker and Craig traverse the Wyoming Basin area, which is characterized by structural basins and broad, anticlinal uplifts. The Meeker route traverses a small valley filled with Quaternary alluvial deposits and underlain by Cretaceous shale. Eroded cliffs of Cretaceous sandstone, shale, and coal are present immediately north and west of Meeker. Structurally, Meeker appears to be situated within the eroded interior of a broad anticlinal uplift. The Craig route also traverses a small valley filled with Quaternary alluvial deposits, which crosses an area of ragged canyons and hills eroded from relatively little deformed Cretaceous and Tertiary sandstone, shale, and coal. Structurally, this area appears to be a basin.

Due to the location of fiber routes within existing previously disturbed rights-of-way, installation of cable within these areas is not anticipated to impact prime farmland.

4.4 WATER RESOURCES

4.4.1 Streams and Rivers

Numerous streams and rivers, as identified on the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) 7.5 minute topographic maps, are crossed by the fiber optic cable routes. Potential stream crossings include numerous named and unnamed streams. A list of streams and rivers that may cross fiber routes is included in Appendix I. The Animus, Dolores, Pierre, San Miguel, San Juan and

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Uncompahgre Rivers and Ten mile Creek have been identified by the Sacramento District of the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) as a “Traditional Navigable Water” under 33 CFR 328.3(a)(1). In addition, other streams and rivers to be crossed by the proposed project are likely to be considered jurisdictional Waters of the U.S., including named streams and rivers and unnamed intermittent to perennial streams and tributaries. Sections of streams and rivers to be crossed are not identified as Outstanding Natural Resource Waters or Wild and Scenic Rivers, although some sections have the potential to provide habitat for sensitive species, such as the Arkansas darter and Colorado pike minnow.

4.4.2 Wetlands

The National Wetland Inventory (NWI) was established by the USFWS in 1974 and provides information on the characteristics, extent, and status of U.S. wetlands, water bodies (ponds, lakes rivers), and deep-water habitats (estuarine and marine). The database utilizes the Cowardin Classification System to classify mapped wetlands, defining areas as those containing the following three characteristics: hydrophytic plants, hydric soils, and hydrology. The Cowardin Classification system divides wetlands into five defined classification systems: Marine, Estuarine, Riverine, Lacustrine, and Palustrine. The classified systems are further divided in to subsystems based upon substrate material, flooding regime, or vegetation.

The NWI database provides data in geodatabase format, displaying spatial information through seamless map data that has been digitalized and is available through the Wetlands Mapper online program (USFWS 2012). The NWI database is used as a means of establishing the possible presence of wetlands within a given area and serves as a planning tool to guide developers in minimizing and avoiding impacts to potential wetland habitats.

NWI data was reviewed for each of the fiber optic routes. The reviewed data indicates potential riverine, lacustrine, and palustrine areas adjacent to or crossing a number of the fiber optic cable routes. A majority of the potential wetland areas appear to be associated with streams or river systems, but also include several apparently isolated wetland areas such as ponds or depressions. Overall, the fiber optic routes are proposed to be installed within existing right-of- ways. Reviewed NWI data showed that potential wetland areas within or adjacent to existing right-of-way was uncommon. 4.4.3 Floodplains

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) produces Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) that delineates flood zones within a given geographic area. Flood zone designations are given by FEMA and indicate the risk and/or severity of flooding within the given area. These designations are inclusive of information pertaining to 100 and 500-year floods and floodplains of lesser hazards, such as those protected by levees. FEMA’s Flood Map Modernization program has compiled flood hazard data into the National Flood Hazard Layer (NFHL), a

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The NFHL was reviewed for each of the fiber optic routes. Floodplains were identified by the NFHL within numerous areas where fiber optic route crossings occur. A majority of the identified floodplains were associated with large river systems; however, floodplains associated with smaller streams were also within the areas crossed by fiber optic routes.

4.4.4 Groundwater

Groundwater supplies approximately 18 percent of water needs in project area. The majority of groundwater is used for agricultural purposes. Groundwater depth varies across project area and is influenced by geology, topography and soil types. Water-quality data from public water systems supplied by ground water indicate the most common contaminants in project area are nitrate, fluoride, selenium, iron, manganese, alpha radiation (radon), and uranium. Various sources contribute to groundwater contamination, including but not limited to underground storage tanks (USTs), buried wastes, landfills, injection wells, land-based chemical applications, leaking septic systems, disposal ponds, and various spills and leaks. Sole Source Aquifers are not located in the project area.

4.5 Biological Resources

The Proposed Action encompasses the majority of Colorado and a portion of southeastern Wyoming. The project area can be categorized into five Level lll terrestrial ecoregions based on similarities in climate, vegetation, wildlife, etc. (CEC 2012).

 High Plains. The eastern portion of Colorado and southeastern Wyoming are part of the High Plains ecoregion. This region was historically short and mid- grass prairie. However, the majority of this area has been altered through agricultural use and other human development.

 Southwestern Tablelands. The east-central portion of Colorado is comprised of the Southwestern Tablelands ecoregion. The topography of this region is comprised of elevated tablelands with a similar climate and species community to the neighboring High Plains ecoregion. This area is also historically a short to mid-grass prairie that has been used for livestock grazing.

 Southern Rockies. The central portion of Colorado falls into the Southern Rockies ecoregion, which has warm to cool summers and severe winters. Various forms of coniferous forests cover much of the region, with grass or

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shrubs generally covering the lower elevations. Terrain is generally linear mountain ranges with elevations ranging from approximately 1500 to 3,400 meters above sea level (MASL).

 Wyoming Basin. The far northwestern portion of Colorado lies within the Wyoming Basin ecoregion, with warm to hot summers and cold winters. The terrain is comprised of a broad intermontane basin interrupted in places by high hills and low mountains, and vegetation is dominated by arid grasslands and shrublands.

 Colorado Plateaus. The remaining portion of western Colorado falls under the Colorado Plateaus ecoregion. This ecoregion is characterized by hot summers with low humidity, and cool to cold dry winters. The topography is a tableland area that can have abrupt changes in local elevation, which often vary from 300 to 600 meters. Vegetation varies according to elevation, with low elevation basins and canyons vegetated with species such as Blackbrush, Shadscale, Fourwing saltbush, and Galleta grass. Uplands and higher elevation valleys contain sagebrush and pinyon-juniper woodlands, and higher elevations contain some areas of oak, mahogany, aspen, and Douglas-fir.

The USFWS lists threatened and endangered (T&E) species by county for Colorado and Wyoming. The current USFWS plant, vertebrate, and invertebrate lists located at http://www.fws.gov/endangered/species/ were reviewed to identify T&E species and designated Critical Habitat that occur where ground-disturbing Proposed Action work is planned. In addition, the USFWS was contacted directly for input regarding the Proposed Action in accordance with Section 7 of the ESA. The Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) was also contacted to solicit comments regarding the Proposed Action. Comments from the USFWS and CPW have been incorporated into this Supplemental EA, and copies of correspondences with these agencies are included in Appendices I and J, respectively.

During the original EA the Wyoming Game and Fish (WYGF) lists of Species of Special Concern were reviewed, and species with a designation of Native Species Status l (SSl) and Native Species Status ll (SSll) that may occur in Laramie County, Wyoming are included in Appendix H. The Species of Special Concern designation is not a statutory category, and these species are not afforded the same protections as species listed as threatened or endangered.

According to the USFWS, CPW and WYGF lists (USFWS 2012 and CDW 2012), 100 protected species or species of concern were identified, and a list of these species is included in the table in Appendix H.

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4.6 Historic and Cultural Resources

To streamline compliance with Section 106 of the NHPA, BTOP recipients are authorized to gather information to identify and evaluate historic properties and work with consulting parties to assess effects. To reduce the number of inquiries and time associated with reviewing the historical file searches, a Programmatic Agreement (PA) between the NTIA, Colorado SHPO, and the Eagle-Net Alliance was established to provide guidance and stipulations regarding the potential historical resources found in proximity to the fiber routes. A copy of this PA is included in Appendix P. As per the PA’s Stipulation I.B.2:

“EAGLE-Net will have a State of Colorado permitted archaeologist on contract retainer in all regions where underground construction is occurring who will flag all archaeological sites within 100 feet of the cable corridor prior to construction.”

NTIA initiated consultation with the Colorado SHPO under NHPA Section 106 in support of this Supplemental EA.

Due to the sensitive and confidential nature of the location of cultural resources, maps and other information detailing the locations of these resources sent to SHPO and tribal organizations have not been included in this report; however, State maps indicating the Proposed Action areas are included in Appendix B.

Consultation Overview Prior to the identification of the requirement for a Supplemental EA, consultation was conducted by the grantee per the Nationwide Programmatic Agreement between NTIA, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, the National Council of State Historic Preservation Officers, and other consulting parties. Consultation with the Wyoming SHPO during drafting of the original EA (WY SHPO) resulted in a finding of No Effect (see Appendix R). Due to the conclusion of NHPA Section 106 consultation in Wyoming, this Supplemental EA focuses on the historic and cultural resources in Colorado.

The Colorado SHPO originally responded in a letter dated October 29, 2010 that historic and/or archaeological resources may be affected by the Proposed Action due to aboveground and belowground operations (Appendix P). The SHPO recommended that a file search be conducted of Colorado Historical Society records to identify historic and archaeological resources and that further investigation may be needed to ensure that no cultural resources would be affected by the Proposed Action. In a response letter from the Colorado SHPO dated March 29, 2011, the agency provided additional comments regarding the Proposed Action and the Colorado SHPO recommended entering a Programmatic Agreement to reduce review time associated with CAIs associated with the Proposed Action. The letter went on to state that while adverse effects to historic properties were not anticipated as a result of installation of fiber routes through

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The Colorado SHPO was subsequently provided additional details regarding the Proposed Action in a letter dated March 2, 2011 and through ongoing email and phone correspondence as per the stipulations outlined in the arranged Programmatic Agreement. Copies of these correspondences are included in Appendix P.

Following the guidance provided by the PA, file reviews were submitted to the SHPO. Cultural and/or historical resources were identified within 100 feet of the fiber centerline of the Proposed Action. Sites were reviewed to determine if additional consultation and/or field surveys are needed in order to ensure avoidance measures.

Additional information regarding the Proposed Action was provided regarding comments from the Colorado SHPO at a meeting on May 4, 2011 and response letters dated April 29 and May 23, 2011. The majority of historic properties are located within urban areas where directional boring would be utilized to install fiber optic cable. In addition, installation of the proposed fiber routes would not occur on private property outside of public rights-of-way and the fiber installation is limited to public rights-of-way along previously disturbed roadways, utility corridors, and railroads, and would generally parallel existing utility lines. Guidelines issued by the Colorado SHPO would be followed during implementation of the Proposed Action. Mitigation measures to be included during the Proposed Action include avoiding known archaeological resources, ceasing work within 100 feet of a discovery if unknown archaeological resources are uncovered and contacting appropriate authorities, and submitting appropriate documentation for connecting existing buildings to the network. Community anchor institutions would be connected to the network using underground or aerial installation as outlined in Section 3.1. No utility poles would be installed or replaced for this alternative. In an initial response letter dated May 25, 2011, the Colorado SHPO determined the Proposed Action would have No Effect with respect to historic and archaeological resources.

Affected Environment In support of the Supplemental EA, file searches were conducted using COMPASS, the SHPO’s on-line cultural resource database and the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) Information Systems web site. The searches were conducted to identify known archaeological or historic resources per the PA’s guidance located within Area of Potential Effect (APE). The APE is defined as 100 feet of either side of the broadband fiber centerline. The SHPO and NR files searches resulted in the identification of the sites listed in Figure 4.6.1 within the APE.

A summary of the cultural sites identified by Historic Preservation Consultants and Alpine Archaeological Consultants, Inc. include historic structures, historic trails, architectural structures such as bridges and roadways, prehistoric finds, and historic districts. Historic

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Preservation Consultants and Alpine Archaeological Consultants reviewed the potentially eligible cultural and historical sites within 100 feet of the fiber installation centerline. Sites were deemed as needing further review if they fell within the Class 1 file-review search radii of 100 feet from the fiber corridor and were listed as eligible and/or previously unevaluated. Sites listed as eligible and/or unevaluated were researched to ensure mitigation efforts are in place to avoid impacts to these resources. To date, Historic Preservation Consultants and/or Alpine Archaeological Consultants have reviewed over 600 hundred cultural resource sites and identified 37 eligible or potentially eligible historical and/or cultural sites within 100 foot of the cable corridor needing additional review, consultation, and/or flagging. A detailed table summarizing the findings of these file searches is included in Appendix P and a summary of findings to date by county is listed below. It should be noted that while 4.6.1 shows both the total number sites and the number of eligible sites, all archaeological sites within the 100ft cable corridor will be flagged prior to construction per the PA.

Figure 4.6.1 – Cultural Resources Identified within CCABC Project Study Corridor Number of Number of Known Cultural NRHP Eligible Eligible or Unevaluated Sites within 100 feet of County Resources listed or Potentially within 100 ft. of Eligible Cultural fiber centerline with Site ID and NRHP status fiber centerline Resources Adams 40 1 5AM.1929 - unevaluated Alamosa 8 0 Arapahoe 73 0 5AA.1086 – unevaluated*, 5AA.1858* 5AA.2567 – not eligible, 5AA.3766 – Archuleta 72 5 unevaluated, 5AA.528 – eligible*, 5AA.955 – unevaluated Cheyenne 1 0 Conejos 3 0 Costilla 11 0 Delta 3 1 5DT.1732 – not eligible Denver 16 0 Dolores 0 0 El Paso 23 1 5EP.3920 – eligible; flagged 7/30/2012 Elbert 4 1 5EL.147 – unevaluated; flagged 7/30/2012 Garfield 0 0 Huerfano 8 0 Jefferson 9 0 Kit Carson 3 0 5LR.11432 – not eligible, 5LR.11435 – Larimer 44 2 unevaluated Las Animas 74 0

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Number of Number of Known Cultural NRHP Eligible Eligible or Unevaluated Sites within 100 feet of County Resources listed or Potentially within 100 ft. of Eligible Cultural fiber centerline with Site ID and NRHP status fiber centerline Resources Logan 2 0 5LP.110 – unevaluated, 5LP.111 – unevaluated, 5LP.114 – unevaluated, 5LP.115 – unevaluated, 5LP.116 – unevaluated, 5LP.124 – unevaluated, 5LP.126 – La Plata 75 11 unevaluated, 5LP.5677– unevaluated 5LP.2972* – unevaluated, 5LP.298* – unevaluated 5LP.6654* – eligible Mesa 0 0 5ML.32 – unevaluated, 5ML.136 – not eligible Mineral 12 2 5ML.316* – eligible, 5ML.583* – eligible Moffat 2 0 Montezuma 12 2 5MT.6599 – listed, 5MT.13767 – eligible 5MN.1164 – unevaluated, 5MN.8341 – not Montrose 9 3 eligible, 5MN.9214 – not eligible Morgan 9 0 Ouray 60 0 Phillips 2 0 Rio Blanco 2 0 Rio Grande 7 2 5RN.108 – not eligible, 5RN.109 – not eligible Saguache 1 0 San Miguel 0 0 Sedgwick 10 0 Washington 9 1 5WN.38 – isolated find 5WL.1652 – not eligible, 5WL.2065 – not Weld 82 5 eligible, 5WL.5322 – not eligible, 5WL.5325 – not eligible, 5WL.5555 – not eligible Yuma 1 0 *Site found on USFS and/or BLM lands

Further identification efforts in Colorado included providing digital map files indicating the proposed fiber route locations and additional file reviews with four resources on or near U.S. FS and BLM owned lands. A copy of the SHPO correspondence associated with these file searches is included in Appendix P. A list of community anchor institutions listed on the NRHP is also included in Appendix C.

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State of Colorado and Secretary of Interior (SOI) permitted archaeologists John Hoffecker (#2012-81) of Historic Preservation Consultants was contracted to identify and flag archaeological sites deemed eligible and/or previously unevaluated within 100 feet of the fiber corridor prior to construction. A copy of Mr. Hoffecker’s credentials is included in Appendix P. In addition, Terracon contracted with Alpine Archaeological Consultants, Inc. of Montrose, Colorado (#2013-1) to assist in the review of cultural resources within portions of the Proposed Action area that cross USFS and BLM lands. Alpine Archaeological Consultants currently holds USFS permit (CAN391HR) and BLM permit (C-46920) and is licensed for conducting field surveys and file reviews on both USFS and BLM lands. Copies of Alpine Archaeological Consultants credentials are also included in Appendix P.

Portions of the fiber installation extend into Laramie County, Wyoming. An initial review of the cultural and/or historical resources on routes in Laramie County, Wyoming was completed in July of 2011. A database search of the Wyoming Cultural Resource Information System (WYCRIS) and the NRHP was conducted to identify eligible properties, State-surveyed historic resources, and archaeological sites within a 0.5-mile radius of the Proposed Action. There are no NRHP sites located within the APE of the Proposed Action. According to the database search, six State-surveyed sites are located within 0.5 mile of the approximately 11-mile broadband route. They are described below:

Figure 4.6.2 – Wyoming SHPO File Search Summary Table Laramie County, Wyoming Cultural Resources Listed (NHRP)status 48LA.10 unevaluated 48LA.117 Noncontributing 48LA.2804 Noncontributing 48LA.2079 Not Eligible 48LA.2080 Not Eligible 48LA.3007 unevaluated

In a letter dated March 14, 2011, the Wyoming SHPO concurred that the proposed fiber route through Wyoming would have No Effect with respect to potential historic and archaeological resources. Although the Wyoming letter refers to the CCABC Proposed Action as an U.S. Rural Utilities Service (RUS) project, subsequent conversations with the Wyoming SHPO indicate they understand this is a BTOP project. Recommendations made by the Wyoming SHPO regarding the Proposed Action would be followed during implementation of the project (Appendix R).

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Native American Consultation NTIA originally notified potentially affected Native American tribes in cooperation with the FCC using their Tower Construction Notification System (TCNS) in February of 2011 (Appendix T). Responses from the original February 2011 correspondence are included in Appendix T. Re- initiation of tribal consultation regarding changes in construction scope and scale were resubmitted via the TCNS system in January 02, 2013 by the NTIA. Thirty days after the January 02, 2013 tribal notification, one tribe has requested notification of inadvertent discoveries, as noted in Appendix T. NTIA would continue to consult with these tribes if the project area changes and provide any requested information and documentation.

4.7 Aesthetic and Visual Resources

The project would involve construction within a number of different surroundings including rural rights-of-way adjacent to agricultural fields, natural areas, railroads, and urban streetscapes. The project is located within the vicinity (≤ 1 mile) of several protected areas, including multiple State Wildlife Management Areas, BLM Lands, and the Rio Grande & San Juan National Forests. Land managed by the BLM & FS is generally comprised of natural areas that are sensitive to aesthetic and visual impacts.

4.8 Land Use

The existing land use in the construction corridor consists of previously disturbed utility corridors and public rights-of-way. Several types of land use are present and adjacent to the construction corridor including agricultural, commercial, industrial, residential, recreational, and educational. Appendices L, M, O and T provide additional detail regarding the Eagle-Net Alliance (ENA) project segments that cross Federal and Tribal land. The accompanying maps in Appendix B provide additional project status detail.

4.9 Infrastructure

Various levels of infrastructure service are in place throughout the project area. Generally, the project area is served by a network of local roadways, telephone lines, natural gas, and electric lines. Utility lines within rights-of-way in the project area would be avoided through utilizing a utility locating service to mark existing lines such as the Utility Notification Center of Colorado (Colorado One Call) or One Call of Wyoming. In areas where fiber routes must cross other underground utilities, small test-pits would be excavated by hand to ensure that installation does not damage existing lines.

In general, high speed communications services are available within the major population centers, but are either unavailable or limited within the more rural communities and throughout

Responsive ■ Resourceful ■ Reliable 24 Supplemental Environmental Assessment Colorado Community Anchors Broadband Consortium Project Various Locations, Colorado March 19, 2013 ■ Terracon Project No. 01127051 the agricultural areas of Colorado. The goal of the project is to increase access to high-speed data networks throughout these unserved or underserved portions of the state.

4.10 Socioeconomic Resources

A large portion of the CCABC project is being implemented in rural Colorado communities, whose economies are dominated by agriculture and tourism, and generally lower wealth, education, access to health care than other parts of the State. Executive Order 12898, Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations, requires Federal agencies to consider the environmental and human health effects of Federal actions on minority and low-income populations.

According to U.S. Census Data from 2000, the population in Colorado is approximately 83.7% White, 3.9% African American, 2.6% Asian, and 1% Native American, with Hispanics (of any race) comprising approximately 17.1% of the population. Population estimates from the 2000 U.S. Census for Laramie County, Wyoming are approximately 88.9% White, 2.6% African American, 1.0% Asian, and 0.8% Native American, with Hispanics comprising approximately 10.9% of the population.

U.S. Census Bureau’s 2009-2011 American Community Survey estimates the poverty rate in Colorado at 13.2% (U.S. Census Bureau. 2010). Three Colorado counties (Alamosa, Costilla, and Saguache) have been labeled by the U.S. Department of Treasury as Persistent Poverty Counties, counties that have experienced poverty rates of 20% or higher in the 1990 and 2000 U.S. Census Bureau decennial censuses and the 2006-2010 American Community Survey. A survey conducted in 2000 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service reported that three counties served by the project (Costilla, Morgan, and Saguache) are considered low education counties, counties with 25 percent or more of residents age 25-64 years old lacking a high school diploma or GED. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has identified 51 of Colorado’s 64 counties as containing medically underserved areas and/or populations with Health Professional Shortages of primary care, dental and mental health providers and facilities.

According to the 2008 America’s Digital Schools report, 37 percent of school districts anticipate a problem obtaining sufficient Internet bandwidth and the majority have implemented policies to conserve bandwidth by limiting student Internet use. Despite this, Internet proficiency is assumed at the college level, leaving many children at an educational disadvantage.

Furthermore, to save money and facilitate updates of education materials, hard-copy textbooks are being replaced by electronic textbooks and other electronic media. This process is underway in several U.S. school districts and in developed foreign counties such as Korea. The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has challenged the private sector to enable

Responsive ■ Resourceful ■ Reliable 25 Supplemental Environmental Assessment Colorado Community Anchors Broadband Consortium Project Various Locations, Colorado March 19, 2013 ■ Terracon Project No. 01127051 this process by 2015. Without adequate broadband, some rural school districts and students would be unable to access the textbooks required for learning. (“FCC Chairman Genachowski Joins Secretary of Education Duncan to Unveil New “Digital Textbook Playbook,’ A Roadmap for Educators to Accelerate the Transition to Digital Textbooks,” http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2012/db0201/DOC-312244A1.pdf

4.11 Human Health and Safety

A review of the EPA’s National Priorities List indicated that superfund sites are not located within two miles of the project area (EPA 2012). There are no known Brownfield sites located within the project area (EPA 2012). A review of the EPA information indicated there are Brownfield sites in Grand Junction and Colorado Springs within one mile of the proposed fiber optic installation and active superfund sites on or near the fiber optic installation were not identified. However, based on the majority of the fiber optic installation occurring within the road right of ways at depths typically less than 36 inches encountering impacts from known release sites is not likely. As previously stated, the project would take place along existing roadways, towns and urban areas in road way ditches and utility corridors. Proper precautionary measures would need to be taken by the installation contractor in accordance with applicable state and local requirements.

5.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

5.1 Noise

Noise, defined herein as undesirable sound, is Federally regulated by the Noise Control Act of 1972 (NCA). Although the NCA gives the EPA authority to prepare guidelines for acceptable ambient noise levels, it only charges those Federal agencies that operate noise-producing facilities or equipment to implement noise standards. EPA guidelines, and those of many other Federal agencies, state that outdoor sound levels in excess of 55 dB DNL are “normally unacceptable” for noise-sensitive land uses such as residences, schools, and hospitals (EPA NPC 1973...

Proposed Action (Preferred Alternative) and Complete Core Network Fiber Alternative Operation of the project would not add to ambient noise levels during operation. Construction activities associated with project would necessitate the use of construction machinery such as vibratory plows, directional boring equipment, and excavators, but the associated noise would be limited to the construction phase of the project. Due to rapid installation methods utilized, it is unlikely that construction equipment would be located adjacent to a sensitive noise receptor for more than one to two days. Both alternatives may result in some unavoidable impacts near sensitive receptors since many of the entities to be served are themselves sensitive receptors.

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These impacts due to construction noise would be mitigated through the use of restricted work hours. If work would occur in or near sensitive receptors such as school zones, libraries, residential areas, etc., then appropriate work hour guidelines would be followed such as avoidance of construction during operational school hours. Potential impacts to residential areas would be mitigated through restricted work hours, with the work day generally beginning at 8 a.m. and ending at approximately 6 to 7 p.m.

No Action Alternative The No Action alternative would have no adverse noise impacts, but would fail to meet the purpose and need of the project.

5.2 Air Quality

Proposed Action (Preferred Alternative) and Complete Core Network Fiber Alternative The Preferred Alternative or the Complete Core Network Fiber Alternative would constitute a short-term minor increase in the use of fossil fuel and associated GHG emissions during construction. GHG emissions would occur as a result of project construction. The installation operations would result in the release of approximately 3,100 metric tons of equivalent carbon dioxide emissions or less.

The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) has issued draft guidance on when and how Federal agencies should consider GHG emissions and climate change in NEPA. The draft guidance includes a presumptive effects threshold of 25,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions from an action (CEQ 2010). The GHG emissions associated with the Preferred Alternative and the Complete Core Network Fiber Alternative are well below the CEQ threshold. Therefore, GHG emissions from the Preferred Alternative or the Complete Core Network Fiber Alternative should not contribute appreciably to climate change or global warming.

In addition, it is anticipated that the increased connection rates accommodated by completion of the project should result in significant emissions savings over their useful life via vehicle trip reductions due to increases in telecommuting, online meetings, distance learning, and other forms of online collaboration facilitated by increased bandwidth. By construction with both alternatives discussed above minor amounts of dust may be generated during construction operations depending upon ambient moisture levels. The installation methods used are proposed to be via directional boring and vibratory plow, which have minimal soil disturbance limiting the potential for dust generation. Water trucks may be utilized to control fugitive dust during construction as deemed necessary. Neither the placement nor operation of the buried fiber optic cable to provide data transmission would create significant new sources of emissions into the air.

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No Action Alternative The No Action alternative would have no adverse air quality impact; however, the potential benefits discussed above (i.e. reduction of commuting for education and/or work), would not be realized under the No Action alternative.

5.3 Geology and Soils

Proposed Action (Preferred Alternative) and Complete Core Network Fiber Alternative The construction area for fiber optic lines for both the Preferred Alternative and the Complete Core Network Fiber Alternative consists of previously disturbed rights-of-way along roadways and railroads, and therefore would not be expected to adversely affect the geology or soils of the area. Construction for both methods would use a vibratory plow as the primary method, which would preserve existing soils profiles and areas requiring trenching would occur within rights-of-way and be backfilled with soils from the area of excavation, and therefore should not result in significant disturbance to soil profiles. Directional boring would be utilized to avoid sensitive features such as streams, rivers, and wetlands, but would also not cause significant disturbance to existing soils, particularly to surface soils.

In areas where more significant ground disturbance would occur by installation, such as locations of hand hole installations, erosion control measures and other various best management practices (BMPs) approved by the CDOT, such as silt fences berms, straw bales, etc., would be utilized to minimize disturbance to these areas (Appendix F). Because portions of the project have not been fully designed at this time, exact estimates of ground disturbance are not currently available. However, calculations used to estimate ground disturbance per mile are included in Appendix P. In accordance with the guidance from USFWS, soil and vegetation disturbance would be limited to these areas as described in Sections 2.1 and 4.3 and any ground disturbance would be temporary and done utilizing construction methods that minimize soil disturbance to the extent possible.

No Action Alternative The No Action alternative would have no adverse effects on the geology or soils within the area, but would fail to meet the purpose and need of the project.

5.4 Water Resources

5.4.1 Streams and Rivers

Proposed Action (Preferred Alternative) and Complete Core Network Fiber Alternative The fiber routes associated with the proposed project would require numerous stream and river crossings. However, impacts to these resources would be avoided with the use of directional boring or bridge attachment for installation of the fiber. Surface waters would not be depleted

Responsive ■ Resourceful ■ Reliable 28 Supplemental Environmental Assessment Colorado Community Anchors Broadband Consortium Project Various Locations, Colorado March 19, 2013 ■ Terracon Project No. 01127051 as a result of the proposed project. The USACE regulates construction activities near aquatic resources. Based on consultation with the USACE, permits are not required for directional boring or aerial installation of fiber in avoidance of impacts to aquatic habitats (Appendix I); no utility poles would be installed or replaced for this alternative. In addition, installation of fiber routes via vibratory plow is permitted under USACE Nationwide Permit 12 – Utility Line Activities. Under this Nationwide Permit, pre-construction notification is not required unless a crossing impacts a perennial water or special aquatic site within the Colorado River Basin.

Installation of fiber routes via directional boring, bridge attachments, or where necessary aerial installation, would allow the proposed project to avoid impacts to streams and rivers. In addition, a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) would be prepared and appropriate CDOT BMPs would be utilized to reduce potential impacts to surface waters (Appendix F). Therefore, the proposed project is not anticipated to result in significant adverse impacts to rivers or streams.

No Action Alternative The No Action alternative would have no adverse effects on rivers or streams, but would fail to meet the purpose and need of the project.

5.4.2 Wetlands

Proposed Action (Preferred Alternative) and Complete Core Network Fiber Alternative The fiber optic routes associated with the project run adjacent to numerous NWI mapped wetlands. In general, the fiber optic routes would be located adjacent to existing roads and within existing right-of-ways that were rarely identified as wetland areas by the NWI. Impacts to wetland areas would be avoided with the use of directional boring for fiber installation or bridge attachment, as necessary. Similarly, if directional boring cannot be utilized to avoid wetland impacts, aerial installation would be utilized to avoid wetland impacts. No utility poles would be installed or replaced for this alternative. Based on consultation with the USACE (Appendix I), permits would not be required for directional boring or aerial installation of fiber across wetland habitats.

No Action Alternative The No Action alternative would result in no impacts to wetlands in the project area.

5.4.3 Floodplains

Proposed Action (Preferred Alternative) and Complete Core Network Fiber Alternative The fiber routes associated with the proposed project would require numerous floodplain crossings. However, impacts to these resources would be avoided with the use of directional boring or bridge attachment for installation of the fiber or, in cases where these methods of

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No Action Alternative The No Action alternative would also result in no impacts to floodplains.

5.4.4 Groundwater

Proposed Action (Preferred Alternative) and Complete Core Network Fiber Alternative Construction of the proposed project would have negligible impact to groundwater supplies due to the construction methods to be employed. Vibratory plows would be used as the primary installation method, which preserves the in situ soil profile and would not adversely affect groundwater flows. Horizontal directional boring would be utilized in areas where vibratory plows would cause excessive disturbance. During horizontal directional boring, the bore hole is stabilized by a bentonite slurry grout pumped under pressure. Although the grout is inert and would not act as a pollutant, it can affect groundwater flows by filling voids adjacent to the borehole and reducing the overall permeability. The magnitude of this potentially adverse effect is negligible due to the depth of installation to be utilized (approximately three feet). Significant groundwater sources (aquifers) are not present at such limited depths and would not be impeded by the installation of the improvements. Therefore, the proposed method of installation would have negligible adverse environmental impact.

No Action Alternative The No Action alternative would not adversely impact groundwater resources.

5.5 Biological Resources

As reported in Section 4.5 above, the USFWS, CDW, and WYGF lists 100 vertebrate, invertebrate, or plant species of concern in counties where CCABC project ground-disturbing work is planned. Further review of these species and of the specific proposed CCABC project work in their habitats determined that 79 of the 100 identified species are unlikely to be impacted due to one or more of the following criteria:

 Documented occurrence of the species (or lack thereof);  Preferred or known habitat of the species;  Pre-construction survey data,  Limited physical impacts of the installation,  Limited duration of the installation,  Previously disturbed nature of the right-of-way where the installation would occur,

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 Avoidance of wetlands and of surface waters during installation and/or  Avoidance of removal of woody vegetation during installation.

Twenty-one species were found to potentially occur near the project site and which could be affected by installation of fiber optic line. Evaluation of the 21 listed species is discussed within each alternative discussion below.

Proposed Action (Preferred Alternative) Fiber optic and wireless routes pass through habitat or known ranges of several terrestrial and avian species discussed in Section 4.5. However, proposed fiber routes would be installed within existing roadway and railroad rights-of-way, and result in minimal ground disturbance (refer to fiber optic cable installation in Section 3.1). The wireless routes would be installed on existing towers or structures; no new towers or structures would be installed. Connections to existing towers and other structures would be performed with minimal disturbance (refer to trenching and boring installation described in Section 3.1). The installation of new equipment on existing towers would not cause the height of the tower to exceed 199 feet or require the installation of additional guywires. Installation of fiber optic routes near aquatic, wetland, and riparian habitats would be done using directional boring (refer to boring installation described in Section 3.1) or bridge attachments to avoid impacts.

It is expected that most animal species disturbed by infrastructure construction for the Proposed Action, would temporarily relocate to other areas of suitable habitat, and return to the area shortly after the construction is completed in that project segment. Correspondingly, plant species impacted by the temporary construction work are expected to quickly recolonize the project areas. No permanent loss of habitat, or reduction of existing habitat quality, is expected from the Proposed Action Fiber optic cable and wireless installations associated with the proposed project is not anticipated to result in significant impacts to species protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) and/or Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA). Furthermore, appropriate CDOT erosion control measures and BMPs would be implemented during construction activities to prevent runoff to aquatic habitats (Appendix F). Therefore, the proposed project is not anticipated to result in adverse impacts to fish or other aquatic species.

In addition, in order to reduce potential impacts to wildlife species, ground disturbance areas have or would be surveyed for Federally and State protected species, burrowing species and their dependent species (e.g. prairie dogs, Burrowing owls, Mountain plovers, Ferruginous hawks, Black footed ferrets, etc.), and/or nesting species, if construction activities would occur during the primary nesting season, as recommended by the USFWS. If protected species, burrowing species, or nests are observed during construction activities, construction would be temporarily halted and further consultation with applicable agencies would occur, and the area/species would be avoided temporally or spatially when possible.

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By following guidance received from the USFWS and best management practices (BMPs) for minimal ground disturbance, the proposed project is not anticipated to result in significant impacts to protected species. Terracon reviewed the current listing of Federally threatened, endangered and candidate species located in the counties where the proposed fiber optic line would be installed. Based the species identified during the Section 7 review for this project, and following the installation procedures and precautions described above, it was Terracon’s opinion the proposed project may affect, but is unlikely to adversely affect the following species in the following table.

Figure 5.5.1 – Table of Species Reviewed for Section 7

Table of Species Reviewed for Section 7 Consultation that may be Effected by Project Species Group Status Black-footed ferret Animal FE, SE (Mustela nigripes) Canada lynx Animal FT, SE (Lynx Canadensis) Colorado butterfly plant Plant FT (Gaura neomexicana spp. Coloradensis) Colorado hookless cactus Plant FT (Sclerocactus glaucus) Colorado pikeminnow Fish FE, ST (Ptychocheilus Lucius) Greenback cutthroat trout Fish FT, ST (Oncorhynchus clarki stomias) Greater sage-grouse Bird C, SC (Centrocercus urophasianus) Gunnison's prairie dog Animal C (Cynomys gunnisoni) Knowlton’s cactus Plant FE (Pediocactus knowltonii) Lesser prairie-chicken Bird P (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) Mexican spotted owl Bird FT, ST (Strix occidentalis lucida) New Mexico meadow jumping mouse Animal C (Zapus hudsonius luteus) Penland alpine fen mustard Plant FT (Eutrema penlandii)

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Table of Species Reviewed for Section 7 Consultation that may be Effected by Project Species Group Status Preble's meadow jumping mouse Animal FT, ST (Zapus hudsonius preblei) Razorback sucker Fish FE, SE (Xyrauchen texanus) Rio Grande cutthroat trout Fish C, SC (Oncorhynchus clarki stomias) Southwestern willow flycatcher Bird FE, SE (Empidonax traillii eximus) Uncompahgre fritillary butterfly Insect FE (Boloria acrocnema) Ute ladies'-tresses orchid Plant FT (Spiranthes diluvialis) Wolverine Animal P, SE (Gulo gulo) Yellow-billed cuckoo Bird C (Coccyzus americanus) C- Candidate for Federal listing; FT- Federally listed as threatened; FE- Federally listed as endangered; P- Proposed for Federal listing; SE – State of Colorado listed as endangered; ST – State of Colorado listed as threatened; SC-State of Colorado Species of Special Concern

In letters dated October 15, 2012 and November 6, 2012, the USFWS concurred with these findings for regulated Federal species on the routes as proposed by November 2012 (Appendix N).

On the portions of the routes between Delta and Montrose, and on Highway 160 near Pagosa Springs in Archuleta County, the review identified designated Critical Habitat for two Federally listed plants on or near the proposed routes. This included, the Clay-loving buckwheat designated Critical Habitat located on or near the Delta to Montrose routes and Pagosa skyrocket designated Critical Habitat located on or near the Highway 160 route in Archuleta County, Colorado. Consultations with USFWS further defined areas where Potentially Suitable Habitat for these two plant species may occur on the Delta to Montrose and Highway 160 routes. This Potentially Suitable Habitat was an area of buffer near known populations of the two plants and areas of designated Critical Habitat for the two plant species. Through consultation with USFWS it was determined all proposed methods of fiber optic cable installation within the areas of Potentially Suitable Habitat they had defined would require formal Section 7 consultation. As proposed by the Preferred Alternative, the utilization of wireless transmission through the locations of Potentially Suitable Habitat identified by USFWS, it is anticipated no measurable affects to these two plant species would occur. Maps depicting this alternative are included in Appendix N. During telephone consultation on January 22, 2013,

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Craig Hansen, biologist with the Denver office of the USFWS, agreed with this opinion, through an Informal Consultation process. However, Mr. Hansen indicated an opinion of “no effect” would not require consultation with USFWS and USFWS would not provide a concurrence on a “no effect” opinion.

In a letter issued from WYGF during the preparation of the original EA (Appendix S), WYGF stated they did no concerns with the project and its potential impact on Wyoming wildlife. The letters from USFWS and WYGF issued during the performance of the original EA are included in Appendices N and S.

Complete Core Network Fiber Alternative The Complete Core Network Fiber Alternative would have similar effects on species and habitats along most portions of the routes as the Preferred Alternative as described above. The exception to this would be the portions of the routes located between Delta and Montrose and on Highway 160 near Pagosa Springs in Archuleta County. On these project segments, the identified Potentially Suitable Habitat for the Clay-loving buckwheat and the Pagosa skyrocket are within the road ROWs. There are also portions of the identified Critical Habitat of the Pagosa skyrocket within the road ROWs (see figures below).

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Figure 5.5.2 Clay-Loving Wild Buckwheat Potentially Suitable Habitat Map as defined by USFWS

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Figure 5.5.3 Pagosa Skyrocket Potentially Suitable and Critical Habitat Map as defined by USFWS

On these project segments, the identified potentially suitable habitat defined by the USFWS for the Clay-loving buckwheat and the Pagosa skyrocket are within the road ROWs. There are also portions of the identified Critical Habitat of the Pagosa skyrocket within the road ROWs. The Complete Core Network Fiber Alternative includes the installation of fiber optic line in these right-of-ways that may affect the two plant species. Based on this potential effect, NTIA has initiated formal consultation (NTIA letter dated January 2, 2013 in Appendix N) with USFWS regarding suitable habitat and populations of the Pagosa skyrocket and the Clay-loving buckwheat on these two routes. The process of formal consultation would evaluate options to reduce impacts to these plant species and through field surveys attempt to identify and delineate populations of these two species if present. The results of the field surveys and other information obtained in preparation of the Biological Assessment would be presented to the USFWS to assist the agency in issuing a Biological Opinion with guidance on installation options and mitigation actions if found necessary. These activities would be coordinated with the appropriate BLM and USFS personnel.

No Action Alternative The No Action alternative, no installation of new broadband network, would result in no impacts to protected species or their habitat due to no construction or maintenance work, but would fail to meet the purpose and need of the project.

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5.6 Historic and Cultural Resources

Proposed Action (Preferred Alternative)

NTIA has determined that the CCABC Proposed Action is an “undertaking” with potential to affect historic resources, as defined in 36 CFR Part 800. NTIA initiated consultation with the Colorado SHPO and the Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office (WYSHPO) under NHPA Section 106. In order to comply with Section 106, EAGLE-Net consulted with the SHPO and WYSHPO regarding the effect on historic and cultural resources resulting from the installation of underground fiber optic cable installation, of equipment on existing towers, and the connection of broadband to historic buildings in Colorado and Wyoming. To date, consultation with the WYSHPO is concluded. Consultation with the SHPO and Federal agencies for portions of the project crossing USFS and BLM lands is ongoing.

The following analysis of consequences to historic and cultural resources applies to buried fiber along existing CDOT and other road ROW’s, and the placement of wireless technology on existing towers. Aerial fiber alternatives on existing lines/poles and leases of existing fiber are excluded from NHPA Section 106 consultation for NTIA ARRA grant projects per the Nationwide Programmatic Agreement that NTIA entered into with the Advisory Council of Historic Preservation, the National Council of State Historic Preservation Officers, and other consulting parties. Consultation with the WYSHPO was concluded with a finding of No Effect. Consultation in Colorado is ongoing and includes the SHPO, USFS, BLM and Federally recognized tribes. There are cooperating agreements in place with the USFS and BLM.

The APE is defined as 100 feet on either side of the fiber centerline for the purposes of identifying historic and cultural resources to allow for a buffer between sites and project implementation/staging areas, to aid in the identification of areas of concern, and inform project implementation activities. The total 200-ft width of the APE/study area also allows for the shifting of the fiber centerline to accommodate the presence of archaeological sites without delaying project implementation for intensive study. The actual construction area subject to ground disturbance would be less than 10% of the APE width. The method of construction for each segment would determine the area of actual ground disturbance within the APE/study area. A plow would potentially have a 1-ft wide area of actual horizontal below ground disturbance with an area of approximately 4-ft wide of weight and tire disturbance to the surface of the previously disturbed ROW where the implementation activities would take place. Both boring and micro-trenching would have a below ground horizontal disturbance of inches. The depth of all trenches and bores would be determined by the presence of cultural resources, engineering concerns, and field conditions.

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Impacts to historic buildings would be minimized by following the approved treatment, as agreement with the SHPO in the PA and SAC, and with NTIA developed best practices for connecting broadband to historic buildings. Per the SAC attached to the original EA prepared for this project, the grantee:

“. . . will provide the SHPO with construction drawings, photographs, and inventory forms for attachments and/or penetrations to all buildings constructed in 1965 or before, and those buildings built after 1965 that are in a National register historic district or within a site boundary of a property for which the SHPO has an inventory form in its library. If the SHPO deems necessary, Eagle- Net will coordinate with the SHPO for additional Section 106 consultation.”

Therefore, connections and penetrations to buildings would be handled individually and any such connections to historic buildings or within historic districts would adhere to NTIA’s best management practices for connecting broadband to historic buildings and structures. Following the approved process as set forth above, would result in a finding of No Adverse Effect for connection of broadband to buildings.

Collocation of equipment on existing towers would be reviewed individually, by tower location, to ensure that the placement of such equipment would adhere to the March 2001 Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Nationwide Programmatic Agreement (NPA) in order to avoid adverse effects to historic properties. No equipment would be approved or mounted on towers that would be in violation of the stipulations in the FCC NPA or that would result in cumulative impacts. Any issues or questions would be addressed with the SHPO through consultation. Adherence to the stipulations contained within the FCC NPA would result in a finding of No Adverse Effect to historic or cultural resources.

While NHPA Section 106 consultation is ongoing for this project in Colorado, it is anticipated that the project would have no adverse effects on known historic and cultural resources and that the possibility of impacting unknown resources is remote due to the professionally accepted avoidance measures outlined in the SAC, PA, and cooperating agreements for the installation of buried cable. Avoidance of sites would be accomplished by:

■ Conducting plowing and boring only on public lands within public ROW along previously disturbed roadways and utility corridors,

■ Flagging and avoidance of historic and cultural resources,

■ Flagging archaeological sites located with 100 feet of the project corridor,

■ Using qualified and properly permitted archaeologists to flag sites,

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■ Shifting the project corridor if sites are within the buffer of a site (following the SHPO approved approach in the PA),

■ Stopping construction if any artifacts or human remains are discovered, and

■ Contacting the appropriate parties (including NTIA and local law enforcement).

It is NTIA’s policy that in the event of an unanticipated discovery that the landowner be notified and consulted with immediately. To date, the CCABC project has complied with the PA and the historic and cultural resource provisions of the SAC, and there have been no known impacts to historic or cultural resources. The continuing consultation would allow for refining of the identification efforts and any archaeological surveys deemed necessary to comply with all consultation requirements in the PA, SAC, and cooperating agreements prior to construction of a project segment. Installation of buried fiber in areas outside of existing previously disturbed ROW would adhere to Section 106 consultation requirements, the SAC, the PA, the cooperating agreements, and the NPA. All consultation would be completed before project implementation to avoid adverse effects to historic and cultural resources. Use of professionally acceptable avoidance measures is an accepted means of avoiding adverse effects to historic and cultural resources. Fulfillment of the avoidance and monitoring measures agreed to with the SHPO and refined in consultation with the USFS and BLM would result in a finding of No Adverse Effect for project implementation.

As part of the ongoing consultation for this Supplemental EA, Alpine Archaeological Consultants conducted a cultural and historical file review for portions of the fiber corridor crossing Federal lands. On January 25, 2013 Alpine requested the electronic site inventory records managed by the Colorado State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). In addition to the SHPO records, Alpine received site inventory data from Dr. Wendy Sutton of the Pagosa District Archaeologist of the San Juan National Forest (SJNF). Alpine identified 14 sites on Federal lands within 100 feet of the fiber corridor, and determined 8 sites needed additional management consideration due to their potential eligibility for listing on the National Register. These identified sites are detailed in Figure 4.6.1.

In an ongoing continuation of the Programmatic Agreement, proposed fiber routes scheduled for construction in 2013 remain in the design phase, and continued correspondence with the Colorado SHPO office is ongoing to insure avoidance measures are satisfied. It is anticipated that additional file searches and correspondence with the SHPO, and with USFS and BLM personnel, would be needed for proposed fiber routes in 2013.

Cumulative impacts to historic and cultural resources would not result from project implementation. The potential ground disturbance is minimal with buried fiber installation; broadband connections to buildings would be accomplished by following the protocols of the

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SHPO and NTIA’s best practices for such activities; and the collocation of equipment on existing towers would be executed following the FCC NPA stipulations.

Implementation of the Proposed Action would not have an adverse effect on historic and cultural resources due to:

■ The extensive efforts to identify sites within the APE through record searches and consultation,

■ The limited ground disturbing activities associated with project implementation,

■ The processes in place for site avoidance and unanticipated discoveries,

■ Adherence to the requirements contained in the SAC and PA, and

■ The continuing consultation to identify and avoid any adverse effects through site avoidance and monitoring.

No Action Alternative The No Action alternative would result in no impacts to cultural and/or historical resources, but would fail to meet the purpose and need of the project.

5.7 Aesthetic and Visual Resources

Proposed Action (Preferred Alternative) and Complete Core Network Fiber Alternative The project would involve construction within a number of different surroundings including rural rights-of-way adjacent to agricultural fields, natural areas, railroads, and urban streetscapes. In general, area aesthetic disruptions for most areas would be limited to the duration of construction and primarily in the form of the short-term presence of construction equipment. Permanent aesthetic impacts would be limited since fiber routes would be located underground and optical splice enclosures would be located below-grade in vaults and hand holes, and if aerial attachment is required, existing poles would be utilized to limit potential visual impacts. There would also be minimal visual and aesthetic impacts to the wireless component of the network, as equipment would be installed on existing towers and structures. Required equipment cabinets would be placed, in public right of way, adjacent to existing above ground cabinets and transformers wherever feasible to reduce visual and aesthetic impacts. Additional permitting would be required for fiber routes within Federally managed land, as discussed in Section 5.

No Action Alternative The No Action alternative would have no impact to aesthetic and visual resources, but would fail to meet the purpose and need of the project.

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5.8 Land Use

Proposed Action (Preferred Alternative) and Complete Core Network Fiber Alternative The existing land use in the construction corridor consists of previously disturbed utility corridors and public rights-of-way. The existing land use in the locations of the towers is undeveloped land adjacent/nearby existing roads and highways and urban areas. Several types of land use are present along the routes of the options considered. Such land uses include agricultural, commercial, industrial, residential, recreational, and educational. The infrastructure necessary to complete this project would be located within existing roadway and railroad rights-of-way and existing utility easements. These improvements are consistent with normal uses of rights-of- way and utility easements. Therefore, adverse impacts based on land use are not expected. Leases would be obtained for fiber routes located within railroad rights-of-way. Future ground disturbing activities within rights-of-way would need to avoid installed fiber routes and other utilities present within the rights-of-way.

The project would provide benefits to many of the land use types. All improved land uses would derive benefits from higher speed data access at lower costs than are currently available. This improved level of service is anticipated to aid in attracting advanced industry and technical operations to the service area.

No Action Alternative The No Action alternative would also have no negative impact on land use. However, if the improvements are not constructed, the increased value to lands served by the project would not be realized.

5.9 Infrastructure

Proposed Action (Preferred Alternative) and Complete Core Network Fiber Alternative Based on the below ground installation in existing road right of ways it is anticipated this project would not have negative impacts to other infrastructure in the project area. Temporary disruptions to traffic would be handled in accordance with applicable guidelines as discussed in Section 5.11 below.

No Action Alternative The No Action alternative would have no impact to infrastructure, but would fail to meet the purpose and need of the project.

5.10 Socioeconomic Resources

Proposed Action (Preferred Alternative)

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The Proposed Action to compete the CCABC project would offer new or improved broadband access to rural schools, libraries, and universities, including one school district and two libraries on tribal land. In rural, low income and tribal locations, the new and/or improved bandwidth would have positive impacts on education, economic opportunities, health care, and public safety for these populations by helping to attract or retain businesses, providing new and enhanced access to educational resources available locally and globally, providing better public safety services through collaboration, coordinated actions and training among public safety agencies, providing better access for existing and new health services, and providing required access speeds to permit telecommuting and new internet based businesses. The project would not disproportionately affect minority and low-income populations; conversely, it is anticipated to have a positive impact on these populations.

The source of socioeconomic benefits for the Proposed Action is the construction and acquisition of dedicated fiber and wireless infrastructure. Educational, medical, and business communications that use technologically inferior or non-dedicated infrastructure are susceptible to slow and disrupted communications. In the “Why Technology in Schools” report (Ed Tech Action Network, http://www.edtechactionnetwork.org/why-technology-in-schools), research by the International Society for Technology in Education and the Consortium for School Networking confirms that benefits of having adequate Internet access and broadband access in classrooms include:

■ Measurable improvements in school performance (as measured on the Adequate Yearly Progress Tests under the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001). ■ Improved attendance, decreased dropout rates, increased graduation rates, and allowed increased parental involvement. ■ Improved school efficiency and productivity. ■ Helped teachers satisfy professional requirements by helping develop lesson plans and providing continuing education opportunities. ■ Enhanced students’ problem-solving and independent-thinking skills. ■ Enabled schools to meet the needs of special education children. ■ Increased equity and access in education by creating learning opportunities for geographically isolated students. ■ Improved workforce skills.

Complete Core Network Fiber Alternative This alternative would provide the same positive socioeconomic benefits as the Proposed Action. However, with the installation of fiber through Critical and or Potentially Suitable Habitat of two Federal Listed endangered plants, the CCABC network would deliver high-speed service to more unserved and underserved locations than the Proposed Action.

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While wireless technology is utilized where fiber optic cable placement is not feasible, the use of fiber optic cable in this alternative provides several benefits to the project. The faster broadband speeds, of at least 1Gbps throughout the middle-mile infrastructure, provide the opportunity for exponential growth without additional infrastructure that would be more robust than the wireless technology in the Proposed Action. This alternative also provides more resilient infrastructure as the fiber is not impacted by weather that can interrupt networks utilizing wireless technology.

In addition, once installed, fiber optic cable provides lower ongoing operational costs in the form of lower maintenance costs and the absence of tower lease costs. The long-term benefit of this is the savings from the lower ongoing cost of the infrastructure can be passed onto customers in the form of lower bills or the savings can be used to provide investments into additional infrastructure providing service to additional unserved or underserved areas.

Therefore, this alternative would provide greater socioeconomic benefits by enabling more information to flow faster, with fewer interruptions, and with lower ongoing costs.

No Action Alternative In comparison to the other two alternatives, the No Action alternative would have an adverse socioeconomic impact on rural and remote Colorado communities. Without the new or improved broadband services provided by the CCABC project there would be no improvement of broadband service to education, health, law enforcement and first responder facilities and institutions. Nor would there be last-mile built out that would enhance employment opportunities through telecommuting and online collaboration, and educational opportunities via online education and connected classrooms.

In this alternative, there would be no further construction to the 119 community anchors that are included in either the Proposed Action or the Complete Core Network Fiber alternative. People in the unserved and underserved areas where these community anchors are located would receive no socioeconomic benefits and the lack of broadband access would continue to limit their opportunities that are provided in the other alternatives.

5.11 Human Health and Safety

Proposed Action (Preferred Alternative) A review of the EPA’s National Priorities List, Corrective Action Baseline Database, and Brownfield sites did not reveal areas of concern within the project corridor. It is anticipated that identified areas of soil contamination can be addressed with the construction methods. The primary installation method of vibratory plowing preserves the existing soil profile in situ and would not result in contaminated soils being exposed. The secondary installation method of

Responsive ■ Resourceful ■ Reliable 43 Supplemental Environmental Assessment Colorado Community Anchors Broadband Consortium Project Various Locations, Colorado March 19, 2013 ■ Terracon Project No. 01127051 directional boring also minimizes soil disturbance and would not be expected to significantly redistribute contaminated soils. Trenching and installation of hand holes for splices within areas of soil contamination may require appropriate offsite disposal if contaminated soils are encountered. If soils in the area of construction appear visually different from surrounding soil or petroleum product odors are detected, the soils would be identified as potentially contaminated and work would cease in the area of concern. Further investigation would be conducted to determine the presence and extent of soil contamination. Workers would then be equipped with appropriate personal protective equipment in accordance with OSHA standards and follow the required regulatory procedures for mitigating identified soil contamination.

Because much of the work would take place adjacent to high-speed traffic, worker and motorist safety is paramount. Due to the construction activities taking place in the ditches and utility corridors along highways and roads, contractors would not be located directly in the path of traffic. This also reduces the impact to vehicles traveling on the highways and roads since traffic lanes would not need to be rerouted or closed. Contractors would comply with Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) requirements and the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices to promote highway safety and efficiency by providing warning and guidance to all elements of traffic. The CDOT and WYDOT traffic control standards would be used to establish and maintain a safe work zone. Workers are required to meet OSHA standards for worker visibility, and equipment driven on roadways and must meet proper signage and licensing requirements.

Work in and around school zones would be coordinated with school district officials to ensure that safe, functional routes are available for pedestrian and bus traffic. By adopting the safety and coordination efforts described above, it is anticipated the project could be constructed without adverse impacts to human health and safety or the environment.

As mentioned earlier, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has identified 51 of Colorado’s 64 counties as containing medically underserved areas and/or populations with Health Professional Shortages of primary care, dental and mental health providers and facilities. Brining affordable broadband to these counties would benefit local people’s health by enabling faster response to emergency calls, enabling better telemedicine at rural clinics, and better access for existing and new health services.

The Proposed Action would also create great value for public-safety users throughout Colorado: dedicated, secure bandwidth may enable high-bandwidth communications among public-safety agencies statewide, offering both interoperability and sharing of high-bandwidth resources and services (such as computer-aided dispatch).

Complete Core Network Fiber Alternative

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This alternative would provide the same positive human health and safety benefits as the Proposed Action. However, with the installation of fiber through Critical and or Potentially Suitable Habitat of two Federal Listed endangered plants, the CCABC network would deliver high-speed service to more unserved and underserved locations than the Proposed Action.

While wireless technology is utilized where fiber optic cable placement is not feasible, the use of fiber optic cable in this alternative provides several benefits to the project. The faster broadband speeds, of at least 1Gbps throughout the middle-mile infrastructure, provide the opportunity for exponential growth without additional infrastructure that would be more robust than the wireless technology in the Proposed Action. These faster speeds are critical to human health applications including sharing of large medical images and telemedicine and safety applications including emergency response and computer aided dispatch.

The critical nature of human health and safety applications require access to reliable broadband networks. This alternative provides more resilient infrastructure as the fiber is not impacted by other factors, such as weather, that can interrupt networks utilizing wireless technology. Therefore, this alternative would provide greater human health and safety benefits by enabling more information to flow faster and with fewer interruptions.

No Action Alternative In comparison to the other two alternatives, the No Action alternative would result in a reduced risk to human health since roadside construction would not occur, thus eliminating the requirement to have construction personnel and vehicles working on or in close proximity to active roadways. However, the No Action alternative would also have an adverse human health and safety impact on rural and remote Colorado communities. Without the new or improved broadband services provided by the CCABC project there would be no improvement of broadband service to health, law enforcement, and first responder facilities and institutions.

In this alternative, there would be no further construction to the 119 community anchors located in Colorado’s 51 counties containing medically underserved areas and/or populations with Health Professional Shortages. Correspondingly, public-safety agencies in rural areas of the State would continue to have limited access, interoperability, and sharing of resources due to the lack of broadband access. As a result, human health and safety benefits provided by the Proposed Action or the Complete Core Network Fiber alternative would not be available in this alternative.

5.12 Cumulative Impacts

During implementation of the CCABC project, cumulative noise impacts may occur due to concurrent road construction and maintenance, particularly during the summer months. However, due to the relatively quick installation time for the installation of fiber routes, the

Responsive ■ Resourceful ■ Reliable 45 Supplemental Environmental Assessment Colorado Community Anchors Broadband Consortium Project Various Locations, Colorado March 19, 2013 ■ Terracon Project No. 01127051 anticipated increase in noise is expected to be minimal and insignificant in duration. Similarly, the presence of multiple construction crews may have a temporary effect on traffic in the area of installation. However, if installation of fiber routes occurs simultaneously with other anticipated construction and maintenance, repeated disturbance to biological resources such as wildlife and vegetation in the area of construction would be reduced. Disturbance would be limited to existing rights-of-way, which are repeatedly disturbed as the need arises for installation and maintenance of various utilities. The previously constructed portions of the CCABC project (i.e., segments built before December 6, 2012 grant suspension) were generally completed with methods described in the Complete Core Network Fiber Alternative of this Supplemental EA, and in accordance with the Preferred Alternative (Proposed Action) of the original EA and FONSI, the Programmatic Agreement (PA) with the Colorado SHPO, and the guidelines and permits issued by State and Federal agencies. Deviations from the Proposed Action prior to the grant suspension that occurred, and potentially caused impacts, are being addressed by the responsible State and Federal agencies. With NTIA concurrence, EAGLE-Net is cooperating with these agencies to determine the extent of the impacts, if any, and what mitigation or enforcement actions may be required. .

The currently constructed portions of this project as well as the continued implementation of the remaining portions of the CCABC project should have a positive cumulative impact on socioeconomics because additional jobs could be created or retained, thus providing an economic input into the community that could create and/or retain additional jobs. The increased access to broadband services could also increase the quality of other infrastructure services in the area. In addition, the expansion of broadband services throughout the CCABC project area would allow future expansion of broadband services to other unserved and underserved communities in Colorado, and neighboring states. Positive impacts to education, health care, and law enforcement are also possible through increased communication and learning opportunities through collaboration with other similar entities.

6.0 FEDERAL AND STATE AGENCY CONSULTATION, COORDINATION, AND COMMUNICATION

6.1 National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)

The NPDES Construction Stormwater Permits would be obtained through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment in the form of Colorado Discharge Permit System (CDPS) permits.

For the Proposed Action outlined in this Supplemental EA, EAGLE-Net has obtained all required CDPS permits for segments that have been completed or where construction was in progress. Copies of these permits are available upon request to either the NTIA or EAGLE-Net. Maps

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For the No Action Alternative no additional CDPS permits would need to be obtained and all others would be closed out. No further ground disturbing activities would take place.

For the Complete Core Network Fiber Alternative an additional CDPS permit would be required to complete the approximate 30 miles of fiber construction, within the Hwy 160 CDOT ROW, through the Critical and Potentially Suitable Habitat of the Pagosa Skyrocket. This area is identified in the map for the Pagosa Skyrocket Critical and or Potentially Suitable Habitat in the USFWS Appendix N and also in the state wide maps in Appendix B.

6.2 Bureau of Indian Affairs – Southern Ute Agency

EAGLE-Net began discussions with the Southern Ute Tribe, in June of 2012 about permitting requirements for constructing an approximate 3.26 mile fiber optic line on Hwy 160, across tribal land, between Pagosa Springs and Bayfield. In NTIA correspondence with BIA (email chain dated February 14, 2013) BIA indicated they had no concerns with installations methods described in the Proposed Action; however, BIA indicated they would require additional review if future development includes the methods described in the Complete Core Network Fiber Alternative (Micro-trenching). Applications and proposed construction drawings were submitted for the right to survey on October 9, 2012. Copies of these documents can be found in Appendix K. EAGLE-Net received the approved permit on December 31, 2012, which is also included in Appendix K along with maps depicting the proposed routes.

For the Proposed Action outlined in this Supplemental EA there would be no need to move forward with the permitting process. There would not be any ground disturbing activities within Southern Ute tribal lands. The Proposed Action would utilize wireless links to pass through tribal lands. There would not be any EAGLE-Net equipment placed on collocation towers on tribal land. Maps of this route are attached in Appendix K.

For the No Action Alternative no additional consultation or permitting would be required. There would be no ground disturbing activities on tribal lands.

For the Complete Core Network Fiber Alternative EAGLE-Net would continue to pursue the permit and easement requirements to build the 3.26 mile fiber route along Hwy 160, within Southern Ute tribal lands. The map of this route is included in Appendix K. This route occurs within the Critical and Potentially Suitable Habitat of the Pagosa Skyrocket. A map showing this Critical and Potentially Suitable Habitat area is included in Appendix N. The pursuit of this alternative would be dependent on the ability of EAGLE-Net to meet the completion date of the

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6.3 Bureau of Land Management

BLM is a cooperating agency (40 CFR 1501.6) on this EA pursuant to a Memorandum of Understanding between NTIA and BLM Tres Rios Field Office signed February 2013. The MOU is designed to aid in cooperation between NTIA and BLM in order to provide improved efficiency in the analysis process of preparing the EA. The MOU also defines BLM’s responsibilities and limitations in regards to the process of completing the EA in compliance with NEPA. BLM’s purpose and need for action is to comply with its mandate under FLPMA to respond to a request for a Right-of-Way Grant for construction across public land. The BLM would decide whether or not to grant the right of way across portions of BLM land, and if so, under what terms and conditions.

EAGLE-Net has applied for the following permits with BLM for the CCABC project.

 Royal Gorge Field Office – Hwy 160 La Veta Pass - Huerfano County – .11 miles - Permit Received – Construction Complete  Montrose Field Office – Kinikin Road - Montrose County – .87 miles - Permit Received – Construction Complete  Tres Rios Field Office – Hwy 160 Durango to Pagosa Springs – La Plata & Archuleta Counties – 1.09 miles - Permit Pending/Application Submitted

Maps of these routes, applications, permit documentation, and correspondence are attached in Appendix L.

For the Proposed Action outlined in this Supplemental EA there would be a small BLM parcel that would need to be removed from the permitting process. This parcel is located within the Critical Habitat of the Pagosa Skyrocket, map in Appendix N. The Proposed Action would utilize wireless links to pass through this BLM parcel. There would not be any EAGLE-Net equipment placed on collocation towers on BLM lands. All other BLM parcels on Hwy 160 between Durango and Pagosa Springs would have ground disturbing activity as defined in the maps in Appendix L.

For the No Action Alternative no additional consultation or permitting would be required. There would be no additional ground disturbing activities on BLM lands.

For the Complete Core Network Fiber Alternative EAGLE-Net would continue to pursue the permit and easement requirements to build the fiber route along Hwy 160, within CDOT ROW, through the Critical and Potentially Suitable Habitat of the Pagosa Skyrocket. The map of this

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Critical and Potentially Suitable Habitat is included in Appendix N. There is one BLM parcel that this alternative route transects for approximately 384 feet. The pursuit of this alternative would be dependent on the ability of EAGLE-Net to meet the completion date of the grant while completing all USFWS and BLM requirements for constructing within the Critical and or Potentially Suitable Habitat of the Pagosa Skyrocket.

6.4 Bureau of Reclamation

EAGLE-Net has applied for the following permits with the Bureau of Reclamation for the CCABC project.

 Albuquerque Area Office – Closed Basin Canal - Alamosa County – .097 miles - Permit Received – Construction Complete  Durango Field Office – Dove Creek Canal - Dolores County – .038 miles - Permit Received – 1 Crossing Complete and 1 Crossing Pending Completion  Grand Junction Field Office – South Canal – Montrose County – .038 miles - Permit Received – Construction Complete  Grand Junction Field Office – Loutsenhizer Canal – Montrose County – .019 miles -Permit Received – Construction Complete  Durango Field Office – Florida Canal – La Plata County – .019 miles – Permit Application Pending

Maps of these routes, applications, permit documentation, and correspondence are attached in Appendix M.

For the Proposed Action outlined in this Supplemental EA ground disturbing activities would consist of directionally drilling the last crossing of the Dove Creek Canal and the crossing of the Florida Canal as outlined in the maps in Appendix M. In correspondence between BOR and NTIA dated March 3, 2013, BOR has requested a SF-299 be submitted for the Florida Canal crossing.

For the No Action Alternative no additional consultation or permitting would be required. There would be no additional ground disturbing activities on Bureau of Reclamation lands.

For the Complete Core Network Fiber Alternative there would not be any Bureau of Reclamation lands affected.

6.5 U.S. Forest Service

In an NTIA letter dated January 31, 2013 (Appendix O), the terms of agreement and cooperation between the NTIA and USFS regarding the EAGLE-Net project are defined. In

Responsive ■ Resourceful ■ Reliable 49 Supplemental Environmental Assessment Colorado Community Anchors Broadband Consortium Project Various Locations, Colorado March 19, 2013 ■ Terracon Project No. 01127051 general this letter outlines the process that will take place regarding the EA completion process and USFS role in the process. EAGLE-Net has applied for the following permits with USFS for the CCABC project.

 San Juan National Forest – Hwy 184 & Hwy 145 – Montezuma County – .87 miles - Permit Received  San Juan National Forest – Hwy 160 – Durango to South Fork – La Plata, Archuleta, Mineral Counties – 16.52 miles - Permit Pending  San Juan National Forest – Hwy 550 – Durango to Cascade Village – La Plata County – 1.29 miles - Permit Pending  Rio Grande National Forest – Hwy 160 – Pagosa Springs to South Fork – Mineral & Rio Grande Counties – 14.32 miles - Permit Pending

Maps of these routes, applications, permit documentation, and correspondence are attached in Appendix O.

For the Proposed Action outlined in this Supplemental EA there would be approximately 5.25 miles of USFS lands along Hwy 160 removed from the permitting process. These parcels are located within the San Juan National Forest and the potentially suitable habitat of the Pagosa Skyrocket, map in Appendix N. The Proposed Action would utilize wireless links to pass through these USFS parcels. These links include proposed collocation at two communications sites on USFS land (Yellowjacket and Oakbrush Hill). If these sites have existing collocation buildings, and space is available, no equipment cabinets would be placed. If new cabinets are needed, EAGLE-Net would coordinate with the owner of the site and determine whether EAGLE-Net or the site owner would submit the SF-299 applications. Maps of these wireless routes are attached in Appendix O. All other USFS lands, identified above, would have ground disturbing activity as defined in the maps in Appendix O. Furthermore, USFS provided Biological Evaluations (BEs) on two communication tower locations at the Oakbrush Hill site. Based on our review of these BEs effects to T&E species or sensitive species were not identified with construction of the two communication towers.

For the No Action Alternative no additional consultation or permitting would be required. There would be no ground disturbing activities on USFS lands.

For the Complete Core Network Fiber Alternative EAGLE-Net would continue to pursue the permit and easement requirements to build the fiber route along Hwy 160 within CDOT ROW through the Critical and Potentially Suitable Habitat of the Pagosa Skyrocket, map in Appendix N. This alternative route transects USFS lands along Hwy 160 for approximately 5.25 miles. The pursuit of this alternative would be dependent on the ability of EAGLE-Net to meet the completion date of the grant while completing all USFWS and USFS requirements for constructing within the Critical and or Potentially Suitable Habitat of the Pagosa Skyrocket.

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6.6 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

For the Proposed Action outlined in this Supplemental EA, the USFWS Pagosa Skyrocket and Clay Loving Wild Buckwheat Critical and or Potentially Suitable Habitats would not be impacted. The Critical and or Potentially Suitable Habitat Areas would be crossed via wireless/microwave links. Maps of these routes and correspondence are attached in Appendix N. For all other routes, outside of Critical and or Potentially Suitable Habitat areas, concurrence letters are attached in Appendix N.

For the No Action Alternative no additional consultation or permitting would be required. There would be no ground disturbing activities in USFWS Critical or Potentially Suitable Habitat areas.

For the Complete Core Network Fiber Alternative EAGLE-Net would continue to pursue the permit and easement requirements to build the fiber routes through the Critical and Potentially Suitable Habitats of the Pagosa Skyrocket and Clay-Loving Wild Buckwheat as identified in the maps in Appendix N. These alternative routes transect USFWS through Potentially Suitable and Critical Habitat for approximately 19.4 miles along Hwy 160 (Pagosa Skyrocket) and 11.04 miles along Hwy 50 (Clay-Loving wild Buckwheat). Formal consultation with USFWS regarding impacts to these two species was initiated by NTIA with a request letter dated January 2, 2013 (Appendix XX). This formal consultation includes evaluation of the impacts of the proposed construct on the two endangered species and providing USFWS with installation alternatives to reduce impacts and plans for mitigation of impacts. The pursuit of these alternative routes would be dependent on the ability of EAGLE-Net to meet the completion date of the grant while completing all USFWS requirements for constructing within the Critical and Potentially Suitable Habitat of these species.

6.7 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Based on consultation received from the USACE, permits would not be required if directional boring or bridge attachment is utilized to avoid potentially jurisdictional Waters of the U.S. such as rivers, streams, and wetlands. Correspondence with USACE is attached in Appendix I.

For the Proposed Action outlined in this Supplemental EA, EAGLE-Net would directional bore or use bridge attachments to cross all rivers, streams, and wetlands.

For the No Action Alternative no additional rivers, streams, or wetlands would be crossed. No further ground disturbing activities would take place.

For the Complete Core Network Fiber Alternative, EAGLE-Net would directional bore or use bridge attachments to cross all rivers, streams, and wetlands within the Critical and Potentially

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Suitable Habitat areas of the Pagosa Skyrocket. This area is identified in the map for the Pagosa Skyrocket Critical and Potentially Suitable Habitat in Appendix N and also in the state wide maps in Appendix B.

6.8 Colorado Department of Transportation

For the Proposed Action outlined in this Supplemental EA, EAGLE-Net has obtained all required CDOT permits for segments that have been completed or where construction was in progress. For all remaining segments CDOT permit requirements would be fulfilled before construction begins.

For the No Action Alternative no additional CDOT permits would need to be obtained and all others would be closed out. No further ground disturbing activities would take place.

For the Complete Core Network Fiber Alternative an additional CDOT permit would be required to complete the approximate 30 miles of fiber construction, within the Hwy 160 right of way, through Critical and Potentially Suitable Habitat of the Pagosa Skyrocket. This area is identified in the map for the Pagosa Skyrocket Critical and Potentially Suitable Habitat in the USFWS Appendix N and also in the state wide maps in Appendix B.

7.0 LIST OF AGENCIES CONSULTED

Federal Agencies Bureau of Indian Affairs Southern Ute Agency Bureau of Land Management State Administrative Office Colorado River Valley Field Office Columbine Field Office Del Norte Field Office Dolores Field Office Gunnison Field Office Kremmling Field Office Royal Gorge Field Office Tres Rios Field Office Uncompaghre Field Office White River Field Office Bureau of Reclamation Albuquerque Field Office Durango Field Office

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Grand Junction Field Office Federal Communications Commission National Telecommunications and Information Administration U.S. Army Corps of Engineers U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service U.S. Forest Service State Administrative Office Comanche National Grassland Rio Grande National Forest San Juan National Forest

State Agencies Colorado Department of Environmental Quality Colorado Wildlife and Parks Colorado State Historic Preservation Office Colorado State Land Board Wyoming Department of Transportation Wyoming Game and Fish Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office

County and City Agencies Adams Public Works Department Douglas Permits and Inspections Alamosa Road and Bridge Department Eagle County Engineering Arapahoe Public Works-Engineering El Paso County DOT Department Elbert County Road and Bridge Department Archuleta Public Works-Road and Bridge Fremont County Department of Department Transportation Baca County Garfield County Road and Bridge Bent County Administrator Gilpin County Community Center Public Boulder County Works Broomfield Public Works - Engineering Grand County Department of Road and Chaffee Road and Bridge Department Bridge Cheyenne Zoning and Planning/Land Use Gunnison County Public Works Clear Creek Road and Bridge Department Hinsdale County Road and Bridge Conejos Land Use Department Huerfano Road and Bridge Department Costilla County Planning and Zoning Jackson County Administrator Crowley Road and Bridge Department Jefferson Transportation and Engineering Custer County Road and Bridge Kiowa County Delta County Planning Department Kit Carson County Administrator Denver Public Works Permit Operations La Plata County Engineering Department Dolores County Road and Bridge Lake County Building Department

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Larimer public works - Engineering Las Animas Road and Bridge Department Lincoln County Road and Bridge Logan Planning and Zoning Mesa County Public Works Mineral County Land Use Administration Moffat County Road and Bridge Department Montezuma Road and Bridge Department Montrose County Public Works Morgan County Road and Bridge Otero Public Works Department Ouray Road and Bridge Department Park County Road and Bridge Department Park County Planning Department Phillips County Pitkin County Road and Bridge Department Prowers County Road and Bridge Department Pueblo Public Works - Road and Bridge Department Rio Blanco County Road and Bridge Department Rio Grande Road and Bridge Department Routt Road and Bridge Department Saguache Road and Bridge Department San Juan Public Works San Miguel County Sedgwick County Road and Bridge Summit Road and Bridge Department Teller County Transportation Department Washington County Road and Bridge Weld Public Works Department Yuma Road and Bridge Department

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8.0 LIST OF PREPARERS

Gabe Anderson, Michael Montgomery and John Rathgeber Terracon Consultants, Inc. 1815 S. Eisenhower Wichita, Kansas 67209

Lauren Bennett and Jim Valleroy Terracon Consultants, Inc. 11600 Lilburn Park Road St Louis, Missouri 63146

Andrew Munn, Ken DeRose, and John Empey G4S Technology, LLC (Formerly Adesta LLC) 12742 E. Caley Avenue, Unit 2B Centennial, Colorado 80111

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9.0 REFERENCES

Biological Evaluation for Threatened, Endangered, Proposed, and Sensitive Plant Species, American Tower Management, Facility 1 Communications Site Lease, April 09, 2012, USDA Forest Service.

Biological Evaluation for Threatened, Endangered, Proposed, and Sensitive Plant Species, American Tower Management, Communications Site Lease, July 24, 2012, USDA Forest Service.

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Air Control Division. 2007. Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Air Pollution Control Division 8-Hour Ozone Nonattainment Area Changes Fact Sheet http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/CDPHE-AP/CBON/1251594862560

CEC (Commission for Environmental Cooperation). 2012. Ecological Regions of North America: Levels l-lll. North American Atlas.

CEC (Council on Environmental Quality). 2010. Draft NEPA Guidance on Consideration of the Effects of Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Available at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/microsites/ceq/20100218-nepa- consideration-effects-ghg-draft-guidance.pdf

CPW (Colorado Parks and Wildlife). 2012. Wildlife Profiles and Information. Available at: http://wildlife.state.co.us/WildlifeSpecies/Profiles/

CPW (Colorado Parks and Wildlife). 2012. Wildlife Species. Natural Diversity Information Source. Available at: http://ndis.nrel.colostate.edu/wildlife.asp

CGS (Colorado Geological Survey). 2012. http://geosurvey.state.co.us/

Colorado Historical Society. 2011. National Register of Historic Places and the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties. Available at http://www.historycolorado.org/

EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). 2012. National Priorities List http://www.epa.gov/superfund/sites/npl/

EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). 2012. Brownfield Grant Fact Sheet Search. http://cfpub.epa.gov

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