Public Lands Telecommunications Act

Communications site— The term “communications site” means an area of Federal lands designated for telecommunications uses.

Communications use— The term “communications use” means the placement and operation of infrastructure for wireless telecommunications, regardless of whether the use of radio frequencies by such telecommunications is pursuant to a license issued by the Federal Communications Commission or on an unlicensed basis in accordance with the regulations of the Commission. The term includes ancillary activities directly related to such placement and operation.

Communications use authorization— The term “communications use authorization” means a right-of-way, permit, or lease granted, issued, or executed by a Federal land management agency for the primary purpose of authorizing the occupancy and use of Federal lands for communications use.

Federal land management agency— The term “Federal land management agency” means the National Park Service, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Reclamation, and the Forest Service.

Federal lands— The term “Federal lands” means lands under the jurisdiction and management of a Federal land management agency.

Rental fee— The term “rental fee” means the fee based on the market value of the occupancy and use authorized by a communications use authorization, as determined by appraisal or other sound business management principles as required by the provision of law pursuant to which a Federal land management agency granted, issued, or executed the communications use authorization.

Special account required— The Secretary of the Treasury shall establish a special account in the Treasury for each Federal land management agency for the deposit of rental fees received by a Federal land management agency for communications use authorizations on Federal lands granted, issued, or executed by the Federal land management agency.

Deposit and Retention of rental fees— Rental fees received by a Federal land management agency shall—

Expenditure of retained fees— Amounts deposited in the special account for a Federal land management agency shall be used for Federal land management agency activities related to communications sites, including the following:

No effect on other fee retention authorities— This Act shall not limit or otherwise affect fee retention by a Federal land management agency under any other authority.

Department of the interior— The Secretary of the Interior may enter into cooperative agreements for administration of communications sites.

Forest service— The Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, may enter into cooperative agreements for administration of communications sites.