NCPC votes down Rock Creek towers
GAIL@UMDD.UMD.EDU
Fri, 9 Apr 99 08:51:16 EDT
Yesterday, in a not very close vote (9-3), the National Capital Planning
Commission disapproved the application of Bell Atlantic Mobile to erect two
cellular phone towers in Rock Creek Park (one, as you may recall, to be sited
at the peak of the West Ridge in the middle of the primo migrant passage area).
The Commission felt that this action should not go forward without a better
demonstration of need, evaluation of potential cumulative impacts (once BAM
is allowed to erect towers, other carriers may well follow) and a better
assessment of impacts on park values and migratory birds (yes!).
This does not mean the issue is completely dead -- but it is down for a
count. I will post updates when I find out the next moves on the part of all
players.
Thanks to all the birders who wrote or emailed NPS and others, and who attended
and spoke at the NPS hearing on March 24. I presented testimony yesterday
on behalf on MC/MOS and Barry Cooper also spoke, presenting bird survey data
compiled by himself and others. Neal Fitzpatrick of ANS also testified. The
issue was helped by timely negative letters from Mayor Anthony Williams and
DC Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton to the commission, who strongly
oppose the action, process and external political pressures.
The Rock Creek NPS staff was overjoyed, as they had not been kept involved
in the preparation of the EA and were certainly not in favor of the towers.
Gail Mackiernan
Conservation Chair, MC/MOS