A new bill would preempt city land use authority and require deployment of fiber in city rights-of-way.
HB 1722, sponsored by Reps. Matt Boehnke (R–Kennewick) and Dave Paul (D–Oak
Harbor), would preempt local land use authority and require cities to permit the installation and deployment of cable optic fiber through the excavation process of “mircotrenching”. A “microtrench” is an excavated trench that
is about four inches wide and no less than 12 inches deep and is intended to expedite the deployment of broadband. AWC is a strong advocate of the equitable deployment of high-speed, reliable broadband; however, as currently drafted, AWC is opposed
to HB 1722.
AWC has several concerns with the use of microtrenching as a methodology of deployment. Mircotrenching is known to pose significant problems to other existing utilities, impeding the installation and repair. Additionally, because a microtrench is a narrow
cut across a roadway, sidewalk, or street, the structural integrity of these surfaces often becomes weakened, putting them on an accelerated path of degradation.
AWC strongly advocates for the speedy deployment of broadband in our cities. While in some cities this methodology is a great option, it may not be the case for others. AWC believes that local jurisdictions are best situated to make the decision at the
local level, responding to community specific needs.