Cellphone tower in Rock Creek Maintenance Yard

GAIL@UMDD.UMD.EDU
Thu, 4 Jun 98 19:56:14 EDT 

There was a (very small) item in yesterday's Washington Post about the "public
comment" period regarding a proposal to build two telecommunications towers
in Rock Creek Park. This 30-day period began May 26, when the proposal was
published in the Federal Register.

One of these towers will be near the Tennis Center on 16th street. The other,
to my horror, is being proposed for the Rock Creek Park Maintenance Yard! Now
for the many birders who frequent Rock Creek Park in spring and fall, we
know the high ridge which encompasses the Nature Center, Maintenance Yard
and the nearby picnic area to be a major concentration point for neotropical
migrants. This is because of a combination of the park being a thin ribbon
green in the midst of development and because this is one of the highest
points in the park. Some days the numbers of migrants is amazing (I have seen
24 species of warbler in one day). Bad weather conditions, especially events
such as early morning rain or fog, can cause a mini-"High Island"-like fallout.

Now the NPS proposes to allow the placement of a 100-foot-high tower right
in the middle of this area. This tower will extend well above the trees,
most of which are in the 50-60 foot range at that point.

It would seem to me that this sort of structure in the midst of a known
migratory concentration point is NOT a good idea. While birds in passage are
of course flying above this height, just at dawn and (as noted) especially
under adverse weather conditions, the birds are right at treetop height as
they search for foraging areas. Earlier this spring we were at the ridge
just at first light, and a brief rain started. Immediately, small flocks of
warblers dropped out of the sky, calling to eachother, and darted around from
tree to tree. It would seem that the chance of tower strikes and kills of
migrants is a very real possibility here -- and in a National Park!

I hope that the many local birders who frequent this area will see fit to
write a letter to the National Park Service. There will be no public hearing,
letter is the only means of making our case known. Letters should be addressed
to:

Superintendent,
Rock Creek Park
3545 Williamsburg Lane, NW
Washington DC 20008

These have to be in by June 26, I believe.

I plan to investigate further to see if any sort of environmental study has
been done, and if so, why it apparently didn't take potential danger to birds
into account. I will also try to take a look at the exact plans for the tower,
and will post additional info to this list. These plans are apparently only
available to park headquarters.

One thing, if anyone has specific data on numbers of birds or species, or
if you lead field trips to this spot, etc. include this in your letter.

Thanks,
Gail Mackiernan
Silver Spring, MD
gail@umdd.umd.edu

p.s. Not everyone who birds this area is on the "net" so please spread the
word.