[MDOsprey] Cell Phone Tower Alert
GAIL@UMDD.UMD.EDU
Fri, 9 Jul 99 08:23:19 EDT
HI all --
Ospreyers who have been following the Rock Creek Cell Phone Tower saga (and
the many who have been participating in the fight against them) may have
read the article in the July 5 Post reporting how Sen. Tom Daschle of
South Dakota (!) had an amendment placed into the DC Budget bill (on a voice
vote) which voids the jurisdiction of the National Capital Planning Commission
over any actions on NPS property. The NCPC had tabled Bell Atlantic's
reapplication in order to receive expert advice on how to improve wireless
phone communication in Rock Creek without threat to the natural resources
of the park (including migratory birds). I and others at that hearing on
July 1 heard all the testimony and I, too, was convinced that technology
exists and is in wide use (including in DC) to allow wireless phone
coverage in Rock Creek without the need for cellular towers. The NCPC action
seemed reasonable and within their mandate.
The real problem with Daschle's amendment is that it also removes ANY
local or state oversight (by environmental, planning or zoning agency) for
telecommunications structures on federal property "in the region" -- which
would also include Maryland and Virginia.
I do not need to say that this is a very dangerous and disturbing action,
with a lot of legal ramifications. The best way to "bury it?" ----
make sure that the House DC BUdget Bill (which will be marked up starting July
14) does NOT include any such language and that (in conference) Daschle's
amendment is struck. Local Congressmen on the Appropriations Subcommittee
include: Al Wynn, Steny Hoyer and Jim Moran.
If you live in any of these gentlemen's district, please CALL, WRITE or
EMAIL them and explain how Daschle's amendment threatens local and state
oversight on projects with potentially serious environmental or landuse
concerns. Mention threats to migratory birds, of course.
An attorney who called these congressmen's staff yesterday was astonished
to learn that none of them was aware of the Daschle amendment or its
ramifications.
If you do not live in these Congressmen's districts, you can nevertheless
alert your Representative in case the DC Budget bill should reach the House
floor with the offending language in it.
The proliferation of communications towers nationwide is considered one of
the major growing threats to migratory birds, yet research and even attention
to the issue is poor. Recently, the American Bird Conservancy, Ornithological
Council, US Fish and Wildlife Service and others have met with FCC and
reps of the telecommunications industry to try and mediate this conflict.
Right now, FCC and the industry would rather "not know" -- which is the
response we got during the Rock Creek fight.
This is a small first step we can take to try and regain control over this
problem, in our region at least.
Thanks for any help you can give,
Gail Mackiernan
Conservation Chair,
Montgomery County MOS