Easier Rules for Building Cell Towers Near Historic Sites
Published Date: 4/2/2026
Notice
Summary
The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation updated rules to make it easier and faster for agencies to review wireless tower projects without repeating the same checks. These changes add the Department of Veterans Affairs and extend the program until September 30, 2030. The new rules started on September 30, 2025, helping save time and avoid extra costs for wireless construction and upgrades.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Program Comment Extended to 2030
The Program Comment that streamlines historic-preservation reviews for certain wireless tower projects was extended so it remains in effect through September 30, 2030. The extension took effect on September 30, 2025.
VA Added to Streamlining Program
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) was added to the list of agencies that may use the Program Comment, effective September 30, 2025. That lets the VA use the FCC agreements' exemptions to avoid duplicative Section 106 reviews for its telecommunications undertakings.
Avoids Duplicative Section 106 Reviews
For communications facilities construction or modification that have undergone, will undergo, or are exempted from FCC Section 106 review under the FCC Nationwide Programmatic Agreement or FCC Collocation Programmatic Agreement, agencies listed in the Program Comment (RUS, NTIA, DHS components, FRA, FTA, FirstNet, OSMRE, and VA) will not need to conduct separate Section 106 reviews for the communications facility components. This relief is effective as of September 30, 2025.
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Key Dates
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