Connecting Communities Post Disasters Act of 2021

To provide that the Federal Communications Commission and communications service providers regulated by the Commission under the Communications Act of 1934 shall not be subject to certain provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and the National Historic Preservation Act with respect to the construction, rebuilding, or hardening of communications facilities following a major disaster or an emergency declared by the President, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Connecting Communities Post Disasters Act of 2021 2. Application of NEPA and NHPA to covered communications projects (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Commission The term Commission (2) Communications facility The term communications facility (A) any wireless or wireline infrastructure for the transmission of writing, signs, signals, data, images, pictures, or sounds of all kinds; (B) any transmitting device, tower, or support structure, and any equipment, switches, wiring, cabling, power sources, shelters, or cabinets, associated with the provision of communications services; and (C) any antenna or apparatus that— (i) is designed for the purpose of emitting radio frequency; (ii) is designed to be operated, or is operating, from a fixed location; and (iii) is added to a tower, building, or other structure. (3) Communications service The term communications service (4) Covered project The term covered project (A) is to be carried out within an area for which the President has declared a major disaster or an emergency under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5121 (B) is to be carried out not later than 5 years after the date on which the President made the declaration; and (C) (i) replaces a communications facility damaged by the disaster or emergency; or (ii) makes improvements to a communications facility— (I) that could reasonably be considered as necessary for recovery from the disaster or emergency; or (II) to prevent or mitigate damage to the communications facility from a future disaster or emergency. (b) NEPA considerations The Commission shall treat a covered project as a class of action categorically excluded from any requirement to prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement under section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C) (c) National historic preservation considerations Section 306108 of title 54, United States Code, shall not apply with respect to a covered project— (1) for which the Commission is required to issue a permit; or (2) that is otherwise subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission.

Summary: Connecting Communities Post Disasters Act of 2021 This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission to exempt projects that replace or make improvements to communications facilities following a presidentially declared  major disaster or emergency from certain environmental or historic preservation review requirements. Specifically, the bill exempts such projects from any requirement to prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement. Such projects are also exempt from considerations about the effect they will have on any historic property.