Use of rights-of-way; broadband conduit installation in rights-of-way; permits; agreements; compensation; valuation of compensation; telecommunications facilities construction and installation in rights-of-way

(a) If in-ground construction or installation of a telecommunications facility in rights-of-way owned or controlled by the division serves a public purpose and shall be accommodated as a utility pursuant to federal and state law, the division will receive applications and issue a permit consistent with this section with respect to requirements and conditions for performing work in division rights-of-way. (b) Upon receipt of a complete application as specified in the Accommodation of Utilities on Highway Right-of-Way and Adjustment and Relocation of Utility Facilities on Highway Projects Policy, or equivalent policy, as may be currently enforced by the division, that specifies the requirements and conditions for performing work in a right-of-way, the division shall, within 60 business days, advise applicant in writing of any deficiencies with the planned project that: (1) Adversely affect the safety, design, construction, operation, maintenance, or stability of the state road system; (2) Interfere with or impair the present use or planned future expansion of any affected highway or bridge; (3) Conflict with applicable division policy with respect to requirements and conditions for performing work in division rights-of-way; or (4) Violates applicable federal or state law. (c) An applicant may correct any deficiencies and resubmit the application, which shall be reviewed by the division and either approved or denied within 30 days of the resubmittal. Any denial of a resubmittal shall be in writing and explain any deficiencies as provided in subsection (b) of this section. After the division approves a permit application, notwithstanding any other provision of this code to the contrary, the division shall issue a specific district level construction authorization for the approved project within 10 business days unless specific logistical issues reasonably prevent commencement. (d) Compliance with applicable environmental laws shall at all times be the responsibility of the applicant. If any environmental clearance must be performed by the division before an application is approved, the division will notify the applicant in writing of all necessary requirements for such clearance within 15 business days of receiving a complete application. The division will also provide a list of all known federal and state entities with whom an applicant may also need to consult and coordinate for environmental clearance purposes. (e) The division will create and make available for potential applicants an informational notice specific to in-ground telecommunications facility construction and installation that explains routine issues for such projects, including a consolidated checklist or flow chart of all state or federal regulatory requirements, including but not limited to applicable permits, required reviews, required approvals, and required forms. The division shall annually update such informational notice for accuracy and completeness by coordination with each state or federal agency having required regulatory action in the permitting process legal, regulatory, and division requirements and may request the assistance of the Office of Broadband in preparing this informational notice. (f) The provisions of this article shall not apply to the relocation or modification of existing telecommunications facilities in a right-of-way, nor shall these provisions apply to aerial telecommunications facilities or associated apparatus or equipment in a right-of-way. Relocation of telecommunications facilities within rights-of-way for state highways shall be in accordance with the provisions of §17-4-17b of this code.