NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY Request for Public Document Review for the Peninsula Fiber Network’s Infrastructure for Michigan Peninsulas and Critical Crossings (IMPACC) Project

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY Request for Public Document Review for the Peninsula Fiber Network's Infrastructure for Michigan Peninsulas and Critical Crossings (IMPACC) Project NEPA Unique ID: EAXX-006-60-23D-1763745032 DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Public Comment Period May 28 through June 30, 2026 The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has awarded federal funding to Peninsula Fiber Network, LLC., to construct middle mile broadband infrastructure to unserved and underserved areas across Michigan as part of the Infrastructure for Michigan Peninsulas and Critical Crossings (IMPACC) project (Proposed Action). The Proposed Action consists of two routes: Route 1 connects Michigan to Illinois with two underwater fiber optic cables that run from Benton Harbor and St. Joseph in Berrien County, MI to Chicago, Cook County, IL. From Benton Harbor and St. Joseph, a terrestrial fiber optic cable will traverse Berrien, Van Buren, Allegan and Kent Counties in Michigan. Route 2 connects the Upper and Lower Peninsulas of Michigan with an undersea cable beginning in Gulliver in Schoolcraft County, making landfall on Beaver Island, continuing to Charlevoix in the Lower Peninsula, where the terrestrial route traverses Charlevoix, Antrim and Otsego Counties, terminating in Gaylord, MI. The NEPA Unique ID is EAXX-006-60-23D-1763745032. The Proposed Action includes the construction of approximately 175 miles of subsea cable and 205 miles of terrestrial fiber optic cable bringing high-speed internet access to almost 28,000 homes, businesses and communities that will 1) connect students to quality education and training; 2) enable businesses to more readily connect to consumers, increasing sales and creating jobs; 3) increase accessibility to telehealth services; 4) connect the public to services, first responders, elected officials, and their communities; and 5) increase workers' access to job opportunities and skills development. The Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) evaluates the Proposed Action and the No Action Alternative. Under the No Action Alternative, the Proposed Action would not be constructed. As a result, the residents in Berrien, Van Buren, Allegan, Kent, Schoolcraft, Charlevoix, Antrim and Otsego counties, Michigan would remain underserved and would continue to have inadequate broadband internet coverage. The Proposed Action is the preferred of the two alternatives and is the only alternative that meets the purpose and need. The Proposed Action Alternative and No Action Alternative have been assessed in compliance with NTIA's NEPA Procedures. The Draft EA considers the environmental impacts of both alternatives, and is available for review via the Internet at https://broadbandusa.ntia.gov/funding-programs/documentation-and-reporting/ NTIA will accept written comments on the Draft EA during the public comment period, which extends from May 28 through June 30, 2026. Please submit comments via e-mail to NEPAComments@ntia.gov or by regular mail to: Attention: Amanda Pereira, Environmental Program Officer National Telecommunications and Information Administration U.S. Department of Commerce 1401 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room 4878 Washington, DC 20230 Comments must be postmarked or received by June 30, 2026, to ensure they become part of the official record. Public comments on this Draft EA are requested pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act, 42 United States Code 4321, et seq. All written comments received during the comment period will be incorporated and considered in the Final EA. Providing private address information with your comment is voluntary, and such personal information will be kept confidential unless release is required by law. May 29 2026 LPET0526998