Jennifer Campbell is co-owner of Idaho Tower Co.
By JENNIFER CAMPBELL
In response to Scott Phillips' letter regarding Idaho Tower Company's Galena proposal, ITC respectfully submits the following facts: ITC's proposed stealth 'monopine' facility will not be visible at all from Highway 75 south of Galena Pass. It will only be visible for less than a mile of highway north of the pass, and it will only appear as a taller tree. A similar facility was designed and installed by ITC in the Teton National Forest, and won awards for visual sensitivity.
To legally deny ITC's application, Sawtooth National Forest Supervisor Jane Kollmeyer had to attempt to reclassify the land where ITC proposed to construct its facility under a more stringent visual rating. The appeals board found Kollmeyer's action to be procedurally incorrect, and thus reversed her decision.
The Forest Service acknowledges that ITC's facility would provide an indisputable benefit to public safety. In her decision, Kollmeyer cited specific laws, goals and objectives from the Sawtooth Forest Plan that give direction for wireless telecommunication facilities. Kollmeyer stated that she believes "the opportunities afforded to emergency services as a result of cell phones are invaluable," and that "cell phones have an important role in this day and age in emergency services." Unfortunately, her decision did not incorporate these values.
It is important for the public to know that all safety officials have given their support to the Galena facility. In a recent meeting with Kollmeyer, Gene Ramsey, Blaine County chief deputy sheriff, pointed out that the SNRA invites the public to recreate there, yet has no obligation to respond to emergencies. Instead, the task of providing safety and emergency response to the almost 2 million annual visitors and residents within the SNRA falls on the shoulders of the Blaine County Sheriff's Office, the Ketchum Fire Department/Search and Rescue, Sawtooth EMS and Custer County public safety officials.
The facility will: 1) allow users to call 911 for help; 2) enable emergency responders to pinpoint the locations of people who are often unfamiliar with the area; and 3) provide vital communication among people involved with an emergency response. Galena is one of the locations needed by the county to install its own radio equipment.
Blaine County Sheriff Walt Femling calls ITC's facility a "vital and necessary communication facility for both the public and emergency responder safety." Ketchum Fire Chief Mike Elle submitted a letter stating the proposed facility is absolutely necessary to protect the safety of firefighters and emergency service providers, as well as visitors. The bottom line is poor communications can decrease the ability to deal effectively with emergencies and increase the risk of injury or death to firefighters and other public safety officers. This is not a risk that should be asked of individuals working to protect the public and its lands from devastation.
ITC encourages interested citizens to read ITC's appeal brief. In a matter that affects public safety issues and impacts visitors, recreationists and residents within the Sawtooth region, it is important to have an informed opinion, whether as an advocate or dissenter of the Galena proposal. The issue cannot be addressed in a constructive manner when comments are purely emotional and not based on facts and evidence.
