Proposed Lease for Wireless Telecommunications Facility

Date: June 20, 2011
Contact: John Apel, Chief of Resource Management, [phone]

The National Park Service (NPS) would like to have your comments on a proposal to lease a site to AT&T for construction of a cell phone tower at Craters of the Moon National Monument. Your comments can be provided in writing at the address given in this notice, or they may be tendered via E-Mail to the contact person listed below. More information including a map of the proposed lease site is available at this link. The contact person is also available to provide any additional information you might require in responding to this notice. NPS wishes to consider any issues that may be evident regarding this proposed action, or other alternatives that might be considered in meeting the needs of the park for this purpose.

Proposed Action

AT&T has requested that the National Park Service grant a lease for a wireless telecommunications facility on a site within Craters of the Moon National Monument. The proposed location of the project is on the east side of a knoll located approximately 1,400 feet east of the Craters of the Moon visitor center (18 miles southwest of Arco, Idaho) and adjacent to an existing ATC Communications microwave dish. The proposed project requires installation of a 70 foot tall AT&T mono-pole cell tower, an equipment shelter with a 350 square foot footprint and a 500 gallon propane gas tank for backup power. The mono-pole is designed to be extended up to 100 feet in height to accommodate future co-location for other licensed wireless companies. All of the AT&T facilities would be confined to a leased area of 4,800 square foot with existing road access.

Purpose and Need for the Proposal

The purpose of construction of the wireless communications tower is to provide reliable AT&T cellular phone service to the Craters of the Moon National Monument headquarters area. The proposed development includes a wireless communications facility to provide wireless communications to the headquarters vicinity of Craters of the Moon National Monument. The service offered will allow AT&T cellular subscribers to use their phones in this remote part of Butte County, enhancing public safety, comfort and security.

Commenting on this Proposal

The NPS wishes to hear any substantive comments on this proposed action. Substantive comments would include issues regarding the proposed location and type of structure. Positive comments are welcome. Please note that comments become part of the public record for this project, and names and addresses may be revealed in the documentation unless anonymity is expressly requested and approved.

Please provide written comments to:

Proposed Lease for Wireless Telecommunications Facility Comments

Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve

P.O. Box 29 Arco, ID 83213

Comments addressed as above may be also be faxed to the park at: 208-527-3073

Comments may be E-Mailed to:[e-mail]

For further information please contact:

John Apel

208-527-1350

DUE DATE FOR COMMENTS: Please provide your comments by July 15, 2011