[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