Re: [[MDOsprey] Rock Creek Cell Towers Alert]

Lisa Shannon (beemusic@netscape.net)
25 Oct 99 13:18:43 EDT 

Gail, I've decided I'm going to go down to the meeting & testify - I can do it
as a long lunch, and this thing just can't go through.

But - I've been on the NCPC site forever trying to find the room number where
they hold the hearings, and I give up.  So:  is it obvious where you go for
the hearing, or is there a room # I should look for?  Lisa

GAIL@UMDD.UMD.EDU wrote:
> 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...


____________________________________________________________________
Get your own FREE, personal Netscape WebMail account today at http://webmail.netscape.com.