[MDOsprey] Rock Creek Cell Towers Alert
GAIL@UMDD.UMD.EDU
Mon, 25 Oct 99 08:32:35 EDT
Yes, the proposed Bell Atlantic Mobile cellular phone towers for Rock Creek
Park, DC, have not gone away! There is still a "rider" on the DC Appropriations
bill enabling BAM to construct the towers without any appropriate review, AND
the National Capital Planning Commission is proceeding with the third round of
hearings. THE NEXT HEARING IS NOVEMBER 4 at 12:30 pm at NCPC headquarters.
To review what is proposed -- a cell tower to be constructed on the West
Ridge at the Maintenance Yard and another at the Fitzgerald Tennis Center. The
tower at the Maintenance Yard will be, as birders know, in the middle of the
major migratory pathway for birds through DC, and the "best migrant trap in
the city" according to Claudia Wilds and many other birders who regularly
monitor this site. It would extend 50-75 feet above the trees at this point.
The National Audubon Society and the American Bird Conservancy, as well as
representatives of local birding and environmental groups, spoke in opposition
to the west tower as its siting in a migration corridor is an unacceptable
hazard to migrants, worst of all -- in a National Park! All the local ANC's,
City Council, Mayor, and DC Congressional reps oppose these towers because
(in part) of the dangerous precedent -- the risk of Rock Creek and other
small national parks becoming antennae farms (costs to site in parks is far
lower than on private lands, where large annual rents are usually charged to
carriers.)
The NCPC commissioned a consultant to review the application. This report is
now out -- it is not good news for Rock Creek! The consultant agrees that
cellular coverage in the park is spotty, they conclude however that *one*
tower would be enough for BAM, and the best site is (unfortunately) the
west ridge/maintenance yard.
THE MOST SERIOUS CONCLUSION HOWEVER IS THAT THERE WILL UNDOUBTEDLY BE OTHER
APPLICANTS TO CONSTRUCT TOWERS. The consultant estimates 6-10 other carriers
will want to locate in Rock Creek, for competitive reasons. The Consultant
*warns* NCPC that if it allows BAM to construct, it cannot stop the others.
A "forest" of towers on the West Ridge would be disastrous. Rock Creek staff
has told me that more towers will necessitate tree removal. The park staff
is very opposed to what they feel is undue political pressure on NPS from
Congress, and think that the NPS mandate to protect resources first has been
overturned. And that this is a disastrous precedent. (Already applications
have been submitted to construct towers at Great Falls Park, Va.)
WHAT CAN WE DO? Well, a number of us plan to testify (again!) at the November
4 hearing. PLEASE HELP US! Options:
1) If you speak at the hearing, call NCPC by OCTOBER 27 (that's THIS Wednesday)
and sign up. The number is (202) 482-7200. Tell them that you are speaking in
opposition.
2) Send an email to NCPC AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Access their web site at www.
ncpc.gov and send a comment -- if you live in DC, mention your ward number.
3) Send a letter of opposition to Chairman Harvey Gantt, NCPC, 801 Pennsylvania
Ave. NW, Suite 301, Washington DC 20576. Again, if you live in DC, mention
your ward number.
The NCPC seems most concerned with derogation of the park's natural and visual
beauty, and the inappropriateness of commercial cell towers in this small
urban park. Your comments should stress your concern that the BAM tower will
be only the first of many, and would present a serious hazard to federally-
protected migratory birds, in a park in which they are *supposed* to be
free of harm and harrassment.
NCPC has turned down the BAM application twice (hence the Congressional "end
run") and may well again if we continue to press our points.
SO PLEASE, DON'T DELAY -- take a few minutes today to send a strong message
that migratory birds should be protected within National Parks!
Gail Mackiernan
Montgomery County MOS
Conservation Chair
p.s. At this time, I do not know the status of the "rider" to the DC bill;
it is in the Senate version, not the House, and may not make it through
committee. Clinton has vetoed the bill once because of riders so we shall
see...