East Idaho Times

U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) has joined colleagues in addressing a letter to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), urging improvements to the permitting process for broadband infrastructure on federal lands.

The letter underscores how inaccurate and negligent record-keeping has led to significant delays in processing applications for broadband infrastructure on federal land. According to a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, both agencies frequently fail to approve permits within the 270-day timeline set by Congress. These delays result in increased costs for internet service providers and further postpone efforts to close the digital divide. The Senators are requesting information from both agencies on their plans to rectify inaccuracies and enhance their ability to track and manage applications.

“We write today concerning your agency’s efforts to track and manage applications for broadband infrastructure on federal land,” the Senators wrote. “Congress has allocated a significant amount of taxpayer money to expand access to high-speed internet, especially in rural areas, many of which reside on or are adjacent to federal land. It is imperative that this funding is utilized in a timely and efficient manner. Inaccurate record keeping and neglect only increase costs for internet service providers.”

The letter is led by Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyoming). Cosigners include Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming), John Thune (R-South Dakota), John Boozman (R-Arkansas), Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), James Lankford (R-Oklahoma), Roger Marshall (R-Kansas), Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska), Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota) and Deb Fischer (R-Nebraska).

Full text of the letter can be found here.