The Kansas Office of Broadband Development (KOBD) held the 2026 KOBD Permitting Workshop, which was designed to demystify the permitting process for broadband infrastructure projects and help you move projects forward with confidence.
Date: April 28, 2026
Location: Hilton Garden Inn, 221 W 43rd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601 (light breakfast and lunch provided)
Cost: Free
Panelists:
Erik Sartorius – Executive Director, Communications Coalition of Kansas
Gabriel Moran – Senior Government Affairs & Policy Manager, Tarana Wireless
Moderator:
Arthur Ortegon, WBK Law
Melinda Stanley, Federal Program Officer for Kansas, NTIA
Elaine Moran, Environmental Protection Specialist, NTIA
NTIA BEAD and Permitting-Related Guidance and Resources
FYI: NTIA refers to State Broadband Office Grantees as Eligible Entities (EE) in guidance
NEPA for BEAD BEAD Specific NEPA Permitting Resources webpage.
General Permitting Resources are online at BroadbandUSA’s Permitting and NEPA Resources: General NEPA Guidance and Tools webpages.
Key Permitting Resources handout provided at event
Illustrates key BEAD priorities for the coming year and outlines process flow from submission of KS BEAD Final Proposal thru commencement of deployment activities.
BEAD General Terms & Conditions see Section 13 for NEPA/EHP relevant references
Offers step-by-step guidance for early planning and preparation to guarantee projects incorporate NEPA compliance considerations.
NTIA’s Smart Start Part II: How to Approach and Implement BEAD Subgrant Permitting Conditions:
Assists EE’s in meeting program requirements and promoting permitting success in their capacity as BEAD administering agencies and joint lead agencies for NEPA compliance.
BEAD FAQs (Version 20 currently) updated regularly and include Permitting FAQs
BEAD Program Page on BROADBAND USA
BEAD Scope Change and Budget Modification Primer
BEAD Scope Change and Budget Modification Guidance for Eligible Entities
Katrina Ringler, Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer, State of Kansas
SHPO Review and Compliance Handout
George Leris, IT Partner, WBK Law
Suzanne Tetreault, Partner, WBK Law
Panelists:
Greg DuMars, Deputy Director, Kansas Municipal Utilities
Zachary Sterling, Chief Operating Officer, FreeState Electric Cooperative
Moderator:
Adam Copeland, Partner, WBK Law
Presenters:
Kevin Zimmer, District 3 Engineer, KDOT
Cody Ward, District 3 Office Coordinator, KDOT
Presenters:
Melissa Cannon, Real Estate Manager, BNSF
Jim Hild, Director of Real Estate, Union Pacific
Followed by panel discussion with Railroads and KDOT representatives.
Moderated by Russ Dunlap, Middle Mile Program Manager
Kansas Railroad Association – Right-of-Way Utility Permitting Guide
Panelists:
Suzanne Balandran, Assistant Supervisor, Pipeline Safety, Kansas Corporation Commission
Arch York, Director, Damage Prevention, KS 811
Mel Sauer, Assistant City Attorney, City of Hays
Moderator:
Joshua Edgar, Broadband Program Manager, KOBD
Fiber Excavation and Permitting Playbook (from Kansas Damage Prevention Council)
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