[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 42 (Thursday, March 4, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10486-10487]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-5320]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Notice of Receipt of Application for Access to National Park
Service Property for the Siting of Mobile Services Antennas
AGENCY: National Park Service, Department of the Interior.
ACTION: Public notice of the receipt of an application for a right-of-
way permit for a wireless telecommunications facility, scheduling of a
visual evaluation (balloon) test, and the acceptance of public comment.
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SUMMARY: Public Notice is hereby given that the National Park Service
(NPS) has received an application from Washington, D.C. SMSA Limited
Partnership (D.C. SMSA), managing partners Cellco and Bell Atlantic
Mobile, for a right-of-way permit to construct, operate and maintain a
wireless telecommunication site within lands administered by the George
Washington Memorial Parkway. The location within the park is at Great
Falls Park, Virginia. The proposed facility would initially consist of
a single one hundred and fifty-foot monopole with several design
options for both the tower and the associated equipment buildings. The
facility would expand on or completely replace an existing 85-foot
communications tower and equipment building which currently serves as a
signal relay station for the park's radio system. The actual site is
located on the eastern side of Old Dominion Drive, approximately \1/4\
mile north of its intersection with Georgetown Pike.
In order to evaluate the visual impact of the proposed facility, a
balloon test has been scheduled from March 5th through March 8th, 1999.
The balloon, which will be red in color and constructed to approximate
the size of one of the proposed antenna platforms, will be tethered to
the boom of a crane and held at a height of 150 feet from 8:00 A.M.
through 4:30 P.M. on each of the four days.
ADDRESSES: Comments concerning this application or the balloon test
should be directed to: National Park Service, George Washington
Memorial Parkway, Turkey Run Park, McLean, Virginia 22101. For further
information call (703) 289-2516. Interested parties may review the
application Monday through Friday, from 8:00 A.M. until 4:00 P.M., at
the above address.
DATES: Written comments must be received on or before April 19, 1999.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The above-referenced application was
reviewed and deemed complete on February 12th, 1999. Within 60 days of
that date, the Superintendent will approve the application; approve the
application with changes; deny the application; or notify the applicant
of the need for further evaluation to comply with the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), National Historic Preservation Act,
and/or other applicable laws and regulations.
Before reaching a final decision on this application, the NPS will
undertake an Environmental Assessment (EA) in compliance with the NEPA.
In addition, the Park Superintendent may choose to conduct a
Comprehensive Assessment for wireless communications which will
determine the extent to which, and the means by which, George
Washington Memorial Parkway can accommodate demands for wireless
telecommunication facility sites without derogating park resources,
values or purposes. This assessment would also explore the feasibility
of co-location of facilities.
National Park Service review of this application will be in accord
with all applicable laws and regulations. The NPS regulations for
right-of-way permits are located in Part 14 of Title 36 of the Code of
Federal Regulations. A draft revision of these regulations was
published in the Federal Register on December 1, 1997 (62 FR 63488).
The NPS will also follow the guidelines developed by the General
Services
[[Page 10487]]
Administration to implement Section 704(c) of the Telecommunications
Act of 1996 (47 U.S.C. 332) which was published in the Federal Register
on March 29, 1996 (61 FR 14100). Other laws applicable to the National
Park System include the National Park Service Organic Act, the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and the National Historic Preservation
Act. (NHPA).
Dated: February 24, 1999.
Audrey F. Calhoun,
Superintendent.
[FR Doc. 99-5320 Filed 3-3-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P
