178-foot Radio Tower Proposed For Route 1

The Charlestown Town Council voted at their March 12 meeting to oppose the proposed location of a 178-foot tall emergency services radio tower.

The tower would be located at the Department of Transportation’s salt storage garage property at

The tower is proposed because there is federal money available from Homeland Security funds associated with the September 11, 2001 attacks. The location was partly chosen because it is already owned by the State. A tower at this location will help to fill in several dead spots of radio coverage for police, fire and other emergency personnel.

At the Town Council meeting the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA) Director said the tower would likely need to be lighted at this location because of hazards to airplanes. He said if the tower could be located at a higher elevation it would not need to be this tall.

The proposed location is very near to private residences and the tower would be visually exposed to the highway in all directions and for considerable distance. Rt. 1 is a State designated Scenic Highway and Cross Mills is an historic neighborhood. The highway and the natural and historic areas it passes through are important to the Town’s tourism economy.

Charlestown and the Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge are critical to birds migrating along the Atlantic Flyway. Birds arrive in very poor condition after their flight up the Eastern coast of Central and North America. A lighted tower might discourage birds from landing at the refuge and would decrease their chances of surviving the migration.

Before a new tower is located in this important tourism and wildlife location, the impacts to wildlife and tourism should be thoroughly studied. Alternatively RIEMA could find another location at a higher elevation that would allow for a well screened shorter tower with fewer visual and wildlife impacts.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is the regulatory agency that will make the decision on whether to approve the tower. Comments must be sent to the FCC on or before March 27.

You may submit a Request for Environmental Review if you believe that the proposed tower will have a negative impact on the environment. Mail your request for environmental review to the following address:
FCC Requests for Environmental Review, Attn:Ramon Williams
445 12th Street SW
Washington, DC 20554

If you believe there will be effects to historic properties, mail your comments to:
Mr. Andrew Fleming
8610 Washington Boulevard, Suite 217
Jessup, MD 20794

Or call or email Mr. Fleming at 301-776-0500 afleming@aec-env.com

In your correspondence it will help to reference “Application A1088475, Proposed Wireless Telecommunications Facility, 4782 Post Road, Charlestown RI”

If possible, please also share your comments with the Town Council, by emailing your comments to the Town Administrator at mstankiewicz@charlestownri.org

DOT Salt Barn Location on Rt. 1, where 178-foot tall tower is proposed.