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Bryce Canyon Seeking Comment On Cellular Communications Permitting Requests

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Published Date

October 30, 2019
Sunrise viewed from Sunrise Point, Bryce Canyon National Park / Rebecca Latson

National Park staff at Bryce Canyon are considering a request for a cell tower inside the park/Rebecca Latson file

"Can you hear me now?"

The folks at Bryce Canyon National Park are considering a request to expand cellular communications in the park, along with some fiber optic lines. Good idea?

Specifically, the park staff has received separate right-of-way permit requests from Verizon Wireless, South Central Utah Telephone Association, and Garkane Energy Cooperative for the installation of a cellular telecommunications tower, fiber optic utility, and electric utility rights-of-way, respectively. 

An environment assessment was prepared to evaluate the impacts and explore mitigation measures applicable to building a single cell tower in the Bryce Amphitheater area of the park. The following were evaluated: two tower designs (mono pine and self-support lattice), three heights (40, 60 and 80 feet), and two locations (Science Hill and Manzanita Dorm). The recommended alternative is the 60 foot lattice design at Science Hill, near Inspiration Point. This EA is available for a 30 day public review period from October 25, 2019 through November 25, 2019.

The park staff is recommending approval of an 80-foot cell tower. Such a structure would be expected to provide a moderate cell signal at Bryce Canyon Lodge 100 percent of the time, and moderate coverage 90 percent of the time at the Sunset Campground, according to the EA.

Additionally, the tower antennas "would be directed away from recommended wilderness as much as possible to minimize the extent of new cellular signals entering recommended wilderness."

Public comment on the proposals is being taken through November 25.

You can submit your comments online at this site and obtain more information on this proposed action. Also, comments may be mailed to: Superintendent Bryce Canyon National Park, P.O. Box 640201 Bryce, Utah 84764.

Before including your address, telephone number, electronic mail address, or other personally identifying information in your comments, you should be aware that your entire comment (including your personally identifying information) may be made publicly available at any time. 

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Comments

Submitted by Charles Wentlender on October 31, 2019 - 9:46am.

For the safety and convenience of park visitors and others persone who use the area a cell phone tower would be of great benefit.

With the two types of towers and three heights being considered, I would like to see the most natural looking tower that may not be noticed by the general park user.

I would be in agreement with an 80 foot tree like tower. I know the size and type is not the preferred type or size but I would like to see a tower that could support future expansion other companies or government agencies useing one tower than building another one sometime down the road. The extra 20 feet may facilitate any further expansion and the tree type blends in quite well. 

I would not support arguments of additional cost of the tree type for having a lattice type being built.

 Than you for letting me respond.

 Charles Wentlender 


Submitted by Eric Burr on November 6, 2019 - 10:20am.

As a retired national park ranger, I'm accutely aware of the need for better communication to assist in both park safety and attracting electronically addicted visitors. These kinds of visitors are some of the most in need of "America's Greatest Idea," while simultaneously most likely to need ranger assistance. Aesthetically towers are always a problem, but I'm inclined to favor the recommendations of the park's staff, keeping in mind that they may be influenced by the corrupt "robber barrons" of the Trump administration.

                                  -Eric Burr, Mazama WA, just east of NOCA


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