DRAFT NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY Draft Environmental Assessment for the Nome to Homer Express Middle Mile & Hooper Bay Network Fiber Optic Cable Project (EAXX–006–60–02D–1764761874) The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), as lead federal agency, in cooperation with the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), has prepared a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for the proposed Nome to Homer Express Middle Mile & Hooper Bay Network Fiber Optic Cable Project (Proposed Action). The Proposed Action would construct approximately 933 miles of submarine and terrestrial fiber optic cable (FOC) from Nome to Igiugig, with connection to an existing network that extends to Homer, Alaska. The project would connect the communities of Emmonak, Hooper Bay, Naknek, and Igiugig, and bring new, resilient middle-mile broadband capacity to western and southwestern Alaska, including Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) lands and areas supporting military communications infrastructure. The NTHE system would use a combination of subsea cable-laying, horizontal directional drilling (HDD), surface-laid winter installation, trenched and buried terrestrial cable, and aerial pole-mounted fiber. The project includes terrestrial and marine stream crossings, installation of Beach Manholes (BMHs) and Cable Landing Stations (CLS), and limited use of federal lands. The Proposed Action requires a BLM right-of-way (ROW) authorization for approximately 14.6 miles of cable alignment on BLM-managed lands. The purpose of the Proposed Action is to expand reliable, high-speed connectivity for underserved communities and improve access to distance learning, telehealth, public safety communications, and regional economic development. The Draft EA evaluates the Proposed Action and the No Action Alternative consistent with NEPA requirements. The Draft EA is now available for public review and comment. Public comments on the Draft EA are requested pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. Providing personally identifying information with your comment is voluntary; NTIA will attempt to withhold such information unless disclosure is required by law. National Historic Preservation Act Public Notification and Consultation Per 36 CFR § 800.2(d)(4), NTIA is using the NEPA public review and comment period as its opportunity to notify and consult with the public under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). The Draft EA includes Section 106 information, describes the affected environment, potential impacts to cultural and historic resources, opportunities for mitigation, and ANILCA Section 810 subsistence considerations. NTIA will consider public input in its Section 106 decision-making process. Availability of the Draft EA The Draft EA is available online at: https://broadbandusa.ntia.gov/funding-programs/documentation-and-reporting/Draft_EA_NTHE_Hooper_Bay https://www.quintillionglobal.com/nome-to-homer-broadband-express-project-route/ For locations of physical copies of the Draft EA or to request a physical copy, please contact Amanda Pereira at apereira@ntia.gov. Public Comment Period NTIA will accept written comments on the Draft EA during the public comment period, which runs from: December 17, 2025 through January 16, 2026 Written comments must be postmarked or received by 11:59 p.m. Alaska Time on January 16, 2026 to be considered and included in the official record. Please submit comments by email to: NEPAComments@ntia.gov or by regular mail to: Attention: Amanda Pereira National Telecommunications and Information Administration U.S. Department of Commerce 1401 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room 4878 Washington, DC 20230 Pub: Dec. 14, 2025