§8451 Connect Our Parks

Summary

The Secretary of the Interior must study and then make a plan to add broadband internet and cellular service in National Parks. The Secretary must finish the study no later than 1 year after January 4, 2025, and must finish the plan no later than 3 years after January 4, 2025. The study must find park locations that most need broadband (look at housing, park offices, lodging, developed campgrounds, and any other places the park superintendent says are needed) and areas that most need cellular service (look at developed areas where cell service would help emergency access, traveler information, or park staff communications). After the study, the Secretary must send a report to the listed congressional committees and put the report on the Department of the Interior website. Appropriate committees of Congress: four named Senate and House committees (Energy and Natural Resources; Commerce, Science, and Transportation; Natural Resources; Energy and Commerce). Broadband internet access service and cellular service: as defined by the federal communications rules. National Park: a unit of the National Park System. Secretary: the Secretary of the Interior, through the National Park Service Director. The plan must be made after talking with affected Indian Tribes and local stakeholders chosen by the park superintendent. The plan must avoid or reduce harm to park views, cultural and natural resources, visitor experience, historic places, and other park values; put new equipment in already disturbed or developed areas or in zones that allow it; allow public-private partnerships to build and provide service; be technology neutral; and, for broadband, require at least 100–Mbps downstream and 20–Mbps upstream. Parks where the superintendent finds service is already adequate do not have to be covered.