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