New cell tower in town

The Mount Shasta Planning Commissioners voted on January 20, 2004 to approve the 98-feet foot high Stealth design monopine on city property located in the soon-to-be developed Quail Hill residential area. Local residents spoke at the Public Hearing about health concerns from Radio Frequency [RF] (see, Health Effects from Cell Phone Tower Radiation by Karen Rogers)

In addition, there was a discussion about the city’s existing financial contract with the carrier to build the tower and a request for additional review of data that would determine whether the carrier could locate its structures on existing towers in the area, as required by the Telecommunication Ordinance before approval. Located next to the city’s water tanks, the approved Stealth design cell tower would be the first in the County to be constructed to look like a pine tree and would allow placement of two other carriers. It will be one of five new towers constructed by Cingular in order to complete their system in Siskiyou County. During previous hearings on cell tower placement in the county, residents asked for a moratorium on further cell tower construction until a ‘master plan’ is created for future developments and an analysis of the public’s exposure to RF. To date, there has been no action on these public requests. Contact Siskiyou County Planner John Jarecki or Wayne Virag at (530) 842-8200 to give your input.

Lake Siskiyou Tentative Parcel Map Development

The approval of a proposal to divide a 138-acre parcel of land into three for residential development on the hillside above Lake Siskiyou is the subject of an Initial Study on which the Ecology Center submitted a comment. The issues of concern are: light pollution, water quality impacts to Lake Siskiyou and the Sacramento River, visual impacts, the need for open space mitigation measures, and the potential precedent for affluent gated-communities. Additional comments can be faxed to the County Planning Department at (530) 842-8211 attention: Jim Jarecki..

Open Space Provisions

The intent of the Quimby Act (Government Code 66477) is found in the Park Dedication provisions found at Chapter 17.42 for Mount Shasta City. The City’s guidelines ensure that new growth is accompanied by dedication of open space, and/or that funding is directed to the Department of Parks & Recreation, because open spaces are valued by the community for their positive contribution to the quality of life and visual aesthetics. The City’s Park Dedication Chapter must be updated to reflect the real cost of real estate, which is the basis for assessing fees to would-be developers. Currently, the Act assesses fees based on $36,000 for one acre of land in the city. Obviously, this is too low and should be immediately adjusted by Resolution of the City Council as provided for in Section 17.42.070. In addition to adjusting the Fair Market Value, we need emphasis on setting aside actual open space versus an in-lieu fee. Given the pressures of development on Mount Shasta City, this is a high priority. Please write a letter to the City Council requesting an adjustment of the Fair Market Value of city land and for an emphasis on creating open spaces instead of imposing in-lieu fees. In addition, please ask the City to work with the County to enact a similar open space provision, which the County does not have. This is critical because the majority of land that influences and surrounds Mount Shasta City is governed by County regulations. Letters to the City Council may be submitted to City Hall, Mount Shasta, CA 96067.

Wetlands, I-5 Volcanic Scenic By-way
and a possible new radio tower location

Sandwiched between the middle school, Alma Street, and Ivy Street, the 300+ feet Jefferson Public Radio AM tower’s lease expires this year. It is speculation at this time where the tower might be moved to, but we believe it is important enough that the public be given a heads-up. We hope that any new location for JPR’s facility will not impact the wetlands or the I-5 volcanic scenic byway designation and viewsheds of Mount Shasta City. For further information, please call the Ecology Center to be put on a list to be notified once an application has been filed.

Wetland Mitigation banks?

What does the public think about the development of the last remaining wetlands in Mount Shasta City and what should that look like? What is sustainable for the wetlands, wildlife, and humans? The older houses built on wetlands around Mount Shasta sort of ‘float’ with the wet season, surrounded by running water; but today’s building practices ‘fill’ the wetlands with earth. Current regulations require mitigation measures for any "fill" of wetlands and permitting by the Army Corp of Engineers. Basically a developer must set aside part of the parcel for non-development. Since many of the remaining wetland lots in town are small and difficult to develop, this has resulted in greenbelt corridors of open space connecting the north and south parts of the town, with I-5 as the barrier for movement to the west (ie no natural green belt exists to cross I-5). Any one who enjoys walking through town knows this north-south greenbelt corridor. A "wetland mitigation bank" could be proposed that would allow would-be developers to buy credits from a single larger "wetland bank" which could allow developers to fill (ie develop) their complete wetland parcel, resulting in a loss of this north-south open space greenbelt corridor. Any proposal for a wetland mitigation bank should take this open space greenbelt corridor into consideration. Please call the Ecology Center if you would like to be on a list for additional information.

1800 Megawatts Geothermal power in Siskiyou County?

Are you aware that the California Energy Commission projected a potential of over 1800 Megawatts of power generation from geothermal power plants in our County? That alarming number represents around 40 power plants at 50 megawatts capacity with around 900 tons of toxic hydrogen sulfide gas emitted into the air, and documented seismic effects. This is not good news. The Geysers Geothermal power plant operations, which produce less than half the amount of energy projected for Siskiyou County, are literally shaking the surrounding community of Anderson Springs. The faint smell of rotten eggs permeates the surrounding lowlands and steam plumes are visible on any given day, especially during inversions. Where would these 40 power plants be located? There was no answer, but I let it be known that I don’t know any place on Mount Shasta or Medicine Lake that would be acceptable to this community.