FCC NEPA screening checklist (free)
- Site, height and structure type
- Wilderness areas and wildlife preserves
- Listed species and critical habitat
- Historic properties and Indian religious sites
- Floodplain and wetlands
- Lighting near homes
Tower companies and telecom consultants siting new towers
Where is the new tower site?
Free screen of a new tower site against the FCC's NEPA checklist: wilderness, species, historic, floodplain, wetlands and lighting, plus the 2026 order.
- Free to read
- No sign-up until the draft
- Hands off to the right door
ePlan fills in
- Wilderness and refuges
- Listed species
- Historic places
- Flood zone
- Wetlands
How it works
FCC NEPA screening checklist, from one answer
- Enter the site, the tower height and how much ground you'll disturb.
- ePlan screens each item on the FCC list and flags what needs an environmental assessment.
- Historic properties in play? Start a Section 106 consultation letter.
What you get
FCC NEPA screening checklist and 2 more documents
The check is free. The paperwork after it is drafted at the Section 106 consultation letter to the SHPO door.
Section 106 consultation package
- Area of potential effects
- Historic properties identified
- Tribal notification
- Finding of effect
FAA Form 7460-1 worksheet
- Coordinates and ground elevation
- Height above ground
- Lighting and marking
From public data
What ePlan fills in, and from where
- Wilderness and wildlife refugesUSGS PAD-US
- Listed speciesUSFWS IPaC
- Historic placesNational Register of Historic Places
- Flood zoneFEMA National Flood Hazard Layer
- WetlandsUSFWS National Wetlands Inventory
200 feet
above ground is the height at which a tower needs FAA notice and, with it, FCC antenna structure registration
Source: 47 CFR 17.7(a), eCFR
Ready for the paperwork?
Draft a Section 106 letter to your State Historic Preservation Office: the project, area of effect, historic places found and a finding. Free to read.
Questions
FCC NEPA Checklist for Towers: what people ask
What makes a tower need an environmental assessment?
Under 47 CFR 1.1307(a): a site in a wilderness area or wildlife preserve; effects on listed species, critical habitat, historic properties or Indian religious sites; a floodplain site less than one foot above base flood elevation; wetland fill or deforestation; or high-intensity white lights in a residential area.
Is the FCC changing its NEPA rules?
Yes. On September 30, 2026 the FCC adopted an order (FCC 26-64) finding that deployments that don't need antenna structure registration are generally not major federal actions under NEPA. It takes effect 30 days after Federal Register publication. Towers needing registration keep environmental review, and the FCC asked for comment on Section 106 changes.
When does a tower need FAA notice and registration?
When the FAA must be notified because the structure is a physical obstruction, generally over 200 feet above ground or near an airport, the owner must register it with the FCC.
The rules this door follows
Related doors
Other projects people start from here
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Section 106 consultation letter to the SHPO
Where is the federally funded project?
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Where is the building?
Crane firms, contractors and tower builders near airports
FAA Form 7460-1
Where will the crane or structure stand?
Grant writers for FEMA mitigation and preparedness grants
EHP information checklist
Where will the FEMA-funded work happen?
Farmers, ranchers and forest owners
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Where is the farm or forest?
Federal projects · NEPA
NEPA environmental assessment
What are you proposing, and where?
FCC NEPA Checklist for Towers: check it free
Answer it and ePlan opens the Section 106 consultation letter to the SHPO door with your answer filled in.