PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 445 12 th St., S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 News Media Information 202 / 418-0500 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY: 1-888-835-5322 DA 17-17 Released: January 5, 2017 THE FCC’S OFFICE OF NATIVE AFFAIRS AND POLICY ANNOUNCES TWO UPCOMING TRIBAL BROADBAND, TELECOM, AND BROADCAST TRAINING AND CONSULTATION WORKSHOPS 2017 Workshop Dates for Tuolumne, CA and Salamanca, NY By this Public Notice, the Office of Native Affairs and Policy (ONAP) of the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau announces two upcoming FCC Tribal Broadband, Telecom, and Broadcast Training and Consultation Workshops (Workshops). The first Workshop will be held at Black Oak Casino & Resort, Tuolumne, CA on January 31-February 2, 2017 and the second Workshop will be held at Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino, Salamanca, NY on March 7-9, 2017. The Workshops, each of which will be hosted by ONAP and held for two-and-a-half days, will include sessions on a broad range of FCC programs and policies that impact communications issues in Tribal communities, with a particular emphasis on deployment of communications infrastructure. Among other things, the Workshops will include discussions of how communications infrastructure can support Tribal economic development, Tribal schools and libraries, low-income families, and health care clinics, as well as Tribal radio stations, public safety departments, and Tribal governments. Workshop Overview The Workshops will be conducted on multiple concurrent tracks and will be held on all three days scheduled for the Workshops. The half-day that opens each Workshop will provide an introduction to communications technologies and terminology designed for Tribal officials, Tribal government project managers and other Tribal representatives new to telecommunications, broadband, and broadcast media or those seeking a refresher course. Representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will also conduct presentations on a broad range of grant and loan programs available to Tribal Nations. In addition, the FCC’s Native Learning Lab (Lab) will be open on site throughout the event. The Lab is a computer-based mobile resource designed to support the event’s learning and consultation needs. The Lab provides small group or individual hands-on training on FCC web- based systems. For specific details about each Workshop, visit ONAP’s web page at www.fcc/native Concurrent Sessions During the Workshop, the Universal Service Administration Company’s (USAC) E-rate Tribal Liaison will convene a concurrent full-day Schools and Libraries (E-rate) training. In addition, the FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau will convene a concurrent two-day session on current issues affecting Tribal review of FCC undertakings under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (Section 106). E-rate Training. This session will provide E-rate program training for applicants representing Tribal schools and libraries. The E-rate Program provides discounts to help schools and libraries obtain affordable rates for high-speed Internet access and telecommunications. This hands-on interactive session will include guidance on understanding the importance of the program, how to navigate the application process, and information on where Tribal applicants can find help and resources. School superintendents, principals, counselors, and librarians, school and library IT personnel and Tribal leaders or their representatives who are interested in obtaining E-rate funding for their schools and libraries should attend this session. This breakout session will be led by USAC’s E-rate Tribal Liaison and held the first full day of the Workshops. Section 106 Dialogue. This two-day breakout session will address current issues affecting Tribal review of FCC undertakings under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, with a focus on the movement towards the “small cells” that support 5G technology. Tribal Historic Preservation Officers, other Tribal cultural and historic preservation officials, Tribal leaders or their representatives, and Tribal members interested in the National Historic Preservation Act review process are encouraged to attend these sessions. The Section 106 sessions will be held on the 2 nd and 3 rd days of the Workshop. For information specific to this session, please contact Jill Springer at (202) 418-1345 or send email to jill.springer@fcc.gov Workshop Logistics The January 31-February 2, 2017 Workshop will be held at the Black Oak Casino & Resort, 19398 Tuolumne Road North, Tuolumne, CA 95379, (877) 747-8777. To obtain the group rate ask for “FCC block on January 31, 2017.” The group rate will expire on January 10, 2017. The March 7-9, 2017 Workshop will be held at the Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino, 777 Seneca Allegany Boulevard, Salamanca, NY 14779, (877) 873-6322. To obtain the group rate ask for “Federal Communications Commission at the Seneca Allegany Casino & Resort.” The group rate will expire on February 4, 2017. To register for the California Workshop or one of its breakout sessions send an email to CATribalWorkshop@fcc.gov, to register for the New York Workshop or one if its breakout sessions send an email to NYTribalWorkshop@fcc.gov, and include attendee’s name, Tribal or other affiliation, contact information, and the Workshop or breakout session the attendee is interested in attending. A tentative agenda for each workshop will be released at a later date but prior to the event. For additional information about the Workshops contact Janet Sievert, Legal Advisor, by calling (202) 418-1362 or emailing her at janet.sievert@fcc.gov or native@fcc.gov.