Connect Our Parks Act
This bill requires the National Park Service (NPS) to assess locations within the National Park System with the greatest need for broadband internet or cellular service, and to develop a plan for the placement of broadband and cellular infrastructure in parks.
In assessing where broadband service is most needed, the NPS must consider the current availability of broadband in housing, lodging, administrative facilities, developed campgrounds, and other areas within each park. In assessing where cellular service is most needed, the NPS must consider locations where the availability of cellular service in a developed area of a park would increase public access to emergency services and traveler information or the communications capabilities of NPS employees. The NPS must complete the assessment within one year of the bill’s enactment.
Further, within three years of the bill's enactment, the NPS must develop a plan based on the results of the assessment to install broadband and cellular service infrastructure at locations within the National Park System. In developing the plan, the NPS must consult with affected tribes and local stakeholders.
The plan must (1) be technology neutral; (2) provide for infrastructure to be located in previously developed areas or areas zoned for uses that would support infrastructure; and (3) avoid or minimize impacts to cultural and natural resources, the visitor experience, and park viewsheds. The plan must also provide for the use of public-private partnerships for the installation of equipment and provision of broadband or cellular service.
[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2018 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
118th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 2018
To require the Secretary of the Interior to conduct an assessment to
identify locations in National Parks in which there is the greatest
need for broadband internet access service and areas in National Parks
in which there is the greatest need for cellular service, and for other
purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
June 15, 2023
Mr. Barrasso (for himself, Mr. King, Ms. Lummis, Mr. Lee, and Mrs.
Hyde-Smith) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To require the Secretary of the Interior to conduct an assessment to
identify locations in National Parks in which there is the greatest
need for broadband internet access service and areas in National Parks
in which there is the greatest need for cellular service, and for other
purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Connect Our Parks Act''.
SEC. 2. BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS SERVICE AND CELLULAR SERVICE
ASSESSMENT AND PLANNING IN NATIONAL PARKS.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term
``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
(A) the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
of the Senate;
(B) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate;
(C) the Committee on Natural Resources of the House
of Representatives; and
(D) the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the
House of Representatives.
(2) Broadband internet access service.--The term
``broadband internet access service'' has the meaning given the
term in section 8.1(b) of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations
(or a successor regulation).
(3) Cellular service.--The term ``cellular service'' has
the meaning given the term in section 22.99 of title 47, Code
of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation).
(4) National park.--The term ``National Park'' means a unit
of the National Park System that is designated as a National
Park.
(5) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior, acting through the Director of the National
Park Service.
(b) Assessment.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall complete an
assessment of National Parks to identify--
(A) 1 or more locations in each National Park in
which there is the greatest need for broadband internet
access service, based on the considerations described
in paragraph (2)(A); and
(B) 1 or more areas in each National Park in which
there is the greatest need for cellular service, based
on the considerations described in paragraph (2)(B).
(2) Considerations.--
(A) Broadband internet access service.--For
purposes of identifying locations in National Parks
under paragraph (1)(A), the Secretary shall consider,
with respect to each National Park, the availability of
broadband internet access service in--
(i) housing;
(ii) administrative facilities and related
structures;
(iii) campgrounds; and
(iv) any other location within the National
Park in which broadband internet access service
is determined to be necessary by the
superintendent of the National Park.
(B) Cellular service.--For purposes of identifying
areas in National Parks under paragraph (1)(B), the
Secretary shall consider, with respect to each National
Park, the availability of cellular service in any area
within the National Park that would increase--
(i) the access of the public to emergency
services; or
(ii) the communications capabilities of
National Park Service employees.
(3) Report.--On completion of the assessment under
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate
committees of Congress, and make available on the website of
the Department of the Interior, a report describing the results
of the assessment.
(c) Plan.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall develop a plan,
based on the results of the assessment completed under
subsection (b) and subject to paragraph (4)--
(A) to install broadband internet access service
infrastructure in certain locations in National Parks;
and
(B) to install cellular service equipment and
infrastructure in certain areas of National Parks.
(2) Consultation.--In developing the plan under paragraph
(1), the Secretary--
(A) shall consult with local stakeholders that the
superintendent of the applicable National Park
determines to be necessary; and
(B) may consult with the superintendents of any of
the National Parks regarding plan development
methodologies.
(3) Requirements.--The plan developed under paragraph (1)
shall--
(A) provide for--
(i) minimal viewshed impacts;
(ii) minimal disruptions to the land; and
(iii) minimal disruptions to wildlife;
(B) provide for the use of public-private
partnerships--
(i) to install broadband internet access
service or cellular service equipment; and
(ii) to provide broadband internet access
service or cellular service;
(C) be technology neutral; and
(D) in the case of broadband internet access
service, provide for broadband internet access service
of at least--
(i) a 100-Mbps downstream transmission
capacity; and
(ii) a 20-Mbps upstream transmission
capacity.
(4) Limitation.--Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a plan
developed under that paragraph shall not be required to address
broadband internet access service or cellular service in any
National Park with respect to which the superintendent of the
National Park determines that there is adequate access to
broadband internet access service or cellular service, as
applicable.
<all>
Introduced in Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Senate Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 118-284.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Manchin with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 118-154.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Manchin with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 118-154.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 306.
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S7145; text: CR S7148-7149)
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Received in the House.
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Held at the desk.