This image shows the view from Inspiration Park in Bryce Canyon National Park. Two possible locations for a proposed cell tower are shown; insets provide potential tower designs: a lattice tower on the left and a ‘mono-pine’ on the right/NPS
Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah is considering the issuance of separate right-of-way permits to Verizon Wireless and South Central Communications to install a cellular telecommunications tower and fiber-optic utility right-of-way in the park.
The National Park Service is required by the Telecommunications Act of 1996 to consider all applications for the installation of wireless communication facilities on NPS lands. The park is preparing an Environment Assessment for this proposal and invites you to participate by providing your thoughts on the alternatives being considered and potential issues and impacts.
In the fall of 2015, Verizon Wireless, in partnership with South Central Communications, approached the NPS with a proposal of installing a fiber optic connected cell tower in the area known as “Science Hill” near Inspiration Point, where it could provide improved service to Bryce Canyon Lodge, Sunset Point, and the trails within the canyon below.
All three locations have poor or zero coverage from all cellular providers.
The EA will evaluate the impacts and explore mitigation measures applicable to building a single cell tower in the developed region of Bryce Canyon National Park. Potential sites being considered include a location near Science Hill, and a location near the Manzanita Dorm adjacent to the old NPS Historic District.
Comments on the proposal are being taken through October 30. You can find additional details of the proposal, and a page to make a comment, on this site.
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Comments
MOST OF OUR PRESIDENTS HAVE DONE MUCH TO PRESERVE THE NATURAL SCENERY OF OUR COUNTRY UNOBSTRUCED BY OBJECTS OF THE MODERN WORLD FOR THE WONDERMENT AND ENJOYMENT OF ALL. THE FEELINGS OF PEACE AND RENEWAL THAT WE EXPERIENCE WHEN WE ENTER A WILDERNESS AREA OR NATIONAL PARK ARE PRESENT BECAUSE WE ARE NOT DISTRACTED BY TOWERS, OR WIRES, OR THE NOISES OF URBAN AREAS. THIS IS WHY WE GO TO THESE PARKS, TO ESCAPE FROM OUR DAY TO DAY LIVES. TO FIND THE PEACE AND TRANQUILITY OF NATURE THAT WE DO NOT EXPERIENCE AT HOME. THIS WOULD BE SEVERLY DEMINISHED FOR MOST OF US IF OUR SCENIC VIEWS WERE CONTAMINATED BY CELL TOWERS AND MORE ROADS INTO THESE AREAS TO BUILD AND MAINTAIN THOSE TOWERS. THEREFORE , I STRONGLY SUGGEST THAT THIS IDEA OF BUILDING A TOWER IN ANY NATIONAL PARK BE VOTED DOWN. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION. SINCERELY ELIZABETH SCHMUCKER
It's kind of late since there are multiple cell towers already on NPS properties. They're not exactly Luddites either. I mean - they most national parks have running water which requires water treatment onsite, power lines providing electricity, vehicles, stores, food service, etc. It's unrealistic to think that somehow you're going to keep the modern world out of these places.
Was in Bryce earlier this month. Had the best cell coverage of the 7 parks I visited and I never saw a tower. The "mono-pine" versions can be very unobtrusive.
I have long been a fan of the "mono-pine" look as opposed to the other "lattice tower".
Just my two cents, but the mono-pine really stands out against the landscape. They should require that those cell trees look like the native pines/firs.
There is a large variety of mono-pine options. Here are the offerings of just one company: http://utilitycamo.com/monopine/
I would think they should be able to get one close to the native species.
I would agree they should be able to get one that looks like it belongs there. Either way, it looks better in someones photo than a plain tower. It may fool many people if it is done well.
Cell towers can save lives in the event of a medical emergency.