The National Park Service has signed a Finding of No Significant Impact for an environmental assessment to improve telecommunications systems in the developed areas of Yellowstone National Park. Although the environmental review process was completed last year, the park continued to evaluate other impacts and needs of this significant project prior to implementation.
The selected action described in the FONSI allows for the installation of 187 miles of fiber optic cable in previously disturbed areas along park roads. Work by the applicant, Diamond Communications LLC, will not begin until a right-of-way permit is approved and issued which is not expected until later this year and work would begin in the spring of 2023. Installation of fiber along the road corridor will enable the park to remove 25 pieces of antiquated and obsolete telecommunications equipment (five reflector panels and 20 antennas) currently located on numerous mountain tops and backcountry sites, while substantially improving the connection speeds needed for management and operations of the park.
