Mesa Verde National Park weighs cell phone tower

[ShoresGuy]

Mesa Verde National Park weighs cell phone tower

Originally published Thursday, April 29, 2004

DURANGO, Colo. (AP) -- The government is considering an application to erect a cellular telephone tower at Mesa Verde National Park, one of the nation's premier archaeological preserves.

The application is the first for the park in southwestern Colorado, said Patty Trap, Mesa Verde's chief of planning.

"This is a learning process for us because we want to be sure that we handle the application (properly) to meet the laws and policies, and to make sure the applicant has been treated fairly," said Trap, who refused to identify the applicant.

The 52,000-acre park is home to ruins and cliff dwellings used by the Anasazi people 700 years ago. It is one of the top tourist attractions in the Four Corners region.

At least 15 National Park Service sites have already allowed communications companies to put up cell towers. Yellowstone National Park alone has five, including one near Old Faithful that has been criticized as an eyesore.

Mark Pearson, director of the San Juan Citizens Alliance, panned the idea of cell phones at Mesa Verde.

"I would be dubious about the real compelling need for cell phone use at a national park," Pearson said Tuesday. "It seems people could check their cell phone at the park. They should be on vacation. They shouldn't need to use their phone."

Trap said the park service will have to make sure any tower complies with federal environmental policy the National Historic Preservation Act.

"Can a cell tower be placed in Mesa Verde National Park that ensures the protection of the cultural resources and the natural resources for the preservation of those for future generations?" Trap said. "That is the bottom line."

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