Telecoms' Secret Plan to Wire Yellowstone Park (CDreams/Newswire)

[katty]

cont'd: http://www.commondreams.org/news2006/0503-06.htm

Common Dreams
NewsWire

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAY 3, 2006
10:46 AM

CONTACT: Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER)
Chas Offutt [phone]


Telecoms' Secret Plan to Wire Yellowstone Park
Industry Invited to Illegal Closed-Door Meeting to Divide Up Park

WASHINGTON - May 3 - Yellowstone National Park will soon be blanketed with coverage from cell phone towers, wireless internet service, and two-way radio, as well as television and AM/FM radio signals under a plan being written behind closed doors by the telecommunications industry and park officials, according to agency records released today by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER).

The March 31, 2005 meeting had representatives from Sprint, Verizon, Qwest, Western Wireless (now Alltel) and other companies conferring with Yellowstone park officials and concessionaires. The purpose of the meeting was to develop a “Wireless Telecommunications Plan” for the park. The companies urged siting more cell phone towers (the park already has six in five locations), installing broadband wireless internet service and microwave transmitters. Meeting notes by one park official state that “up to 10 entities could provide service in the park.”

“Notably, not one park official seems the least concerned that they are sacrificing peace and quiet, the ability to be truly alone and disconnected from the modern world,” stated PEER Executive Director Jeff Ruch, whose organization has been drawing attention to the proliferation of cell towers throughout the park system. “Yellowstone belongs to the American people, who ought to have some say before it is transformed into a giant cybercafé.”

PEER is charging that the meeting violated the Federal Advisory Committee Act which requires public notice, published agendas and the chance for the public to attend whenever outside groups are assembled to help shape official policy.

[soothsayer]

1. let them. they'll be sorry when the new madrid fault blows!

it's not nice to fool mother nature