Opinion

On October 9, 2001, Sprint Spectrum d/b/a Sprint PCS (Sprint) applied to the Connecticut Siting Council (Council) for a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need (Certificate) for the construction, maintenance and operation of a wireless personal communications service (PCS) facility at 1 Public Works Drive in East Hampton, Connecticut. The primary purpose of the proposed facility is to provide wireless telecommunications coverage to existing gaps along Route 66 and Route 16 in the East Hampton area.

The proposed 180-foot monopole would support wireless telecommunications antennas installed by Sprint and AT&T Wireless PCS LLC (AT&T). Existing telecommunication towers in the East Hampton and Portland area were examined and rejected due to inferior wireless coverage to the targeted service area.

The proposed site consists of a cleared level area with grassy type vegetation on a town owned parcel of land used as a storage and handling yard for the town’s public works department. The tower radius would extend onto undeveloped portions of state property to the north and west. No trees or wetland areas would be disturbed during construction. The proposed site is within the summer foraging habitat of the state endangered eastern timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus), known to occur in woodland habitat 1,200 feet north of the site. Potential impacts to the rattlesnake population can be minimized if site construction activities occur during the rattlesnake’s dormant period, October through March.

Although three residences are located within a 1,000 feet of the proposed site, commercial uses, vacant land, and public maintenance facilities characterize the immediate area. The greatest visual impact from the facility would be from Route 66 in the immediate vicinity of the site. A residential street, Charles Mary Drive, is located 0.25 miles south of the site; however, visibility of the tower from this area would be limited to several homes during wither months. Although an undeveloped portion of the Air Line State Trail is approximately 160 feet north of the site, tower visibility would be minimal due to local topography and adjacent forest cover. There will be no visual or physical impact on the state’s historic, architectural, or archaeological resources listed on or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. Furthermore, an existing 100-foot tower at the public works site would be removed after the proposed tower is constructed. The removal of this tower affirms the Council’s policy of preventing the proliferation of redundant tower structures in the State of Connecticut.

Electromagnetic radio frequency power density levels are a concern of the Council. However, the radio frequency power density at the base of the proposed tower would be well below federal and State standards for the frequencies used by Sprint and AT&T. If new carriers are added or federal or state standards change, we will require that all carriers comply with such standards.

Based on the record in this proceeding, we find that the effects associated with the construction, operation, and maintenance of the telecommunications facility at the proposed site, including effects on the natural environment; ecological integrity and balance; public health and safety; scenic, historic, and recreational values; forests and parks; air and water purity; and fish and wildlife are not disproportionate either alone or cumulatively with other effects when compared to need, are not in conflict with policies of the State concerning such effects, and are not sufficient reason to deny this application. Therefore, we will issue a Certificate for the construction, operation, and maintenance of a 180-foot monopole telecommunications facility at the proposed site located at 1 Public Works Drive, East Hampton, Connecticut.

The Council will order that all construction activity be conducted during the time period of October through March to minimize potential impacts on the state endangered eastern timber rattlesnake. Our decision will be conditioned upon the Certificate Holder submitting a Development and Management Plan for approval by the Council prior to commencement of any construction at the facility site.