    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2004, Book I)]
    [April 26, 2004]
    [Pages 679-680]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Memorandum on Improving Rights-of-Way Management Across Federal Lands To
    Spur Greater Broadband Deployment
    April 26, 2004

    Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies
    Subject: Improving Rights-of-Way Management Across Federal Lands to Spur
    Greater Broadband Deployment

        Broadband, also known as high-speed Internet access, has the
    potential to bring new services and products to American consumers and
    businesses, fostering innovation, investment, and job-producing economic
    growth. My Administration has long recognized the economic vitality that
    can result from broadband deployment and is working to create an
    environment to foster broadband deployment. All Americans should have
    affordable access to broadband technology by the year 2007.

        A key to widespread broadband deployment is ensuring that broadband
    providers have timely and cost-effective access to rights-of-way so that
    they can build out their networks across the Nation. These networks
    often need to cross large areas of land owned or controlled by the
    Federal Government. Thus, effective and efficient Federal rights-of-way
    policies and practices are critical for promoting broadband deployment.

        To ensure that the Federal Government's rights-of-way policies and
    practices facilitate the aggressive deployment of broadband networks, my
    Administration created a Federal Rights-of-Way Working Group composed of
    representatives from most of the major Federal agencies with land
    management responsibilities. The mission of the Working Group was to
    identify and recommend changes in Federal policies, procedures,
    regulations, and practices that would improve the process of granting
    rights-of-way for broadband communications networks on lands under
    Federal jurisdiction.

        Based on information gathered from the communications industry, the
    Federal agencies, state, local, and tribal representatives, and other
    stakeholders, the Working Group has produced a report entitled,
    ``Improving Rights-of-Way Management Across Federal Lands: A Roadmap for
    Greater Broadband Deployment,'' which sets forth specific
    recommendations in four main areas.

    [[Page 680]]

           (1)   Information Access and Collection--to streamline and
                standardize applications to reduce the administrative burden
                and costs on broadband providers.
           (2)   Timely Process--to speed Federal agencies' consideration of
                rights-of-way applications.
           (3)   Fees--to ensure that fees charged by Federal agencies are
                reasonable and appropriate.
           (4)   Compliance--to ensure that Federal agencies have the proper
                tools to promote compliance with rights-of-way grants or
                permits.
        These recommendations are designed to assist Federal agencies in
    efficiently and effectively performing their vital role as stewards of
    the public lands, while working cooperatively with industry to spur
    broadband deployment.
        Therefore, I hereby direct the heads of executive departments and
    agencies (agencies) to take appropriate actions to implement the
    specific recommendations contained in the report to the maximum extent
    practicable and as permitted by law.
        In addition, agencies should review their existing policies and
    procedures and identify any additional ways to improve the process for
    granting rights-of-way for broadband communications networks. Agencies
    should report to me, through the Director of the Office of Management
    and Budget, within 1 year of the date of this memorandum on all actions
    taken. The agencies shall take these actions using existing budget
    authority.

                                                              George W. Bush