Proposed Communications Tower Threatens Trail

June 11, 2008 - Washington County, Maryland, is planning to build a 190-foot communications tower near the Appalachian Trail that would impact the Trail. 

The proposed tower site, owned by the county, is at the intersections of Keep Tryst and Sandy Hook roads near Rt. 340. It is in the immediate view of three national parks—Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, Chesapeake & Ohio National Historical Park and the Appalachian Trail and the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers.

Although the Washington County public works department hosted a public meeting in April, they did not allow comments from the public, and appear unwilling to consider alternatives to the proposed lattice structure. Objections have also been raised with the Federal Communications Commission. Neither the FCC nor Washington County representatives have responded.

The National Park Service has offered the support of its radio engineering staff and has proposed alternate tower locations and heights on park lands in Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland for consideration. The goal is to ensure that Washington County achieves its communications objectives, but without negative visual impacts on a truly historic from the A.T., and from historical parks and rivers.

Read ATC's response to the proposed tower.

Get Involved Today!

• Write, call or e-mail the Washington County Commissioners to voice your opinion on the proposed tower.  Ask them to honor their April 15, 2008 pledge to hold a public hearing and give the public a chance to be heard.           
             
              Washington County Commissioners 
              John Barr, Terry Baker, James Kercheval, William Wivell, and Kristin Aleshire
              100 West Washington Street, Room 226
              Hagerstown, MD 21740
              Fax: 240-313-2201
              Email:   commissioners@washco-md.net
  

• Work with the National Park Service to identify alternatives to the proposed tower that will enable good communications while protecting the scenic beauty of the Pleasant Valley area.    

• Make a contribution to the ATC for its work on saving this vista.

Additional Resources

The Herald Mail article on the proposed tower.

ATC's letter to its members in Washington and Fredrick counties

The National Park Service Appalachian Trail Park Office, the Harpers Ferry National Historic Park, and the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club have sent in letters in response to this project.

Appalachian Trail Park Office letter

Harpers Ferry National Historic Park letter

Potomac Appalachian Trail Club letter