Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Stop Galena cellular tower


If you have savored backcountry slopes and inspiring 360-degree views along ridges above Galena Pass, please know that two U.S. Forest Service "decisions" scheduled for late January could destroy the solitude, serenity and scenery of this area.

A cellular tower—20 feet by 20 feet wide and 90 feet high—touted to improve safety/EMS response for Galena Pass, may do neither while causing inattentive driving accidents. Cellular "coverage" would only reach Galena Lodge and Smiley Creek; both have dependable landlines. Obviously more towers are planned for the Sawtooth Valley. Think Hailey Della cellular tower—Campbell and company—to understand damage to be done to the Sawtooth National Recreation Area.

Campbell predicts no damage to the narrow access road, but the road scar up Della is obvious from Bellevue to Hailey. Campbell claims a 90-foot tower would not be visible along the national scenic byway, yet the same tower simulation used for Della—weather balloon on a line—was used atop Galena. The Della tower is visible anywhere in Hailey. A line below a balloon hardly simulates the 20-foot-by-20-foot base sections needed to support towers of this magnitude.

Beyond questionable safety and unconvincing tower simulations, the proposed location is atop the primary access into the most accessible, safe and popular collection of backcountry snow routes in Central Idaho. Campbell's massive tower would stand twice the height of the tallest 45-foot pine, dwarfing all ridge features. With 90-plus-percent mortality expected for bug-infested pines, the tower may become a lone mechanical rat's nest. But wait! The second "decision" formalizes the tower as a federal communication site, setting a precedent for towers to be littered along the ridge.

Campbell installs towers for profit, not safety/EMS. That's why the company refuses to offer the alternatives that AirTouch did in 1996-1998, and refuses to reduce tower height or size of an additional 20-foot-by-44-foot building (intended rental space).

Campbell makes private money off your public resources and cellular service. Why is he calling the shots? Write: Forest Supervisor, 2647 Kimberly Rd. E., Twin Falls, ID 83301. Ask for forest protections with cellular access. It's your land.

Denise Jackson Ford

Hailey




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