BACKGROUND:

The growth of cellular phone service in Northwest Arkansas has resulted in the need for more cellular communications towers. Residents often express concerns about the aesthetic and reported health-related effects of these structures. In West Fork, a lawsuit challenging the construction of a cellular telephone tower was filed with no success. Below are a few links that deal with the controversy surrounding this issue.

RESOURCES:

Cell towers on Mt. Sequoyah

A four part series on cellular communications towers in Monroe County, Michigan

An investigative report which first appeared in the Monroe Guardian during the summer of 1997

The Telecommunications Act of 1996: § 704 of the Act and Protections Afforded the Telecommunications Provider in the Facilities Siting Context.

An article authored by the first lawyers to successfully litigate a claim on behalf of a telecommunications provider (forcing a local county government to grant the cellular provider a permit to construct a cellular communications tower that had previously been denied by the county)

WOW-COM (Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association)

Various information about wireless communications including a special section on antenna siting

FCC Wireless Facilities Siting Policies - Fact Sheet #1

This fact sheet is intended to explain the new provisions and to help state and local governments as they deal with the complex issues of facilities siting in their local communities

Wireless Facility Siting Resources

A comprehensive listing of links concerning the siting of cellular towers including ordinances

The EMR Alliance

A non-profit organization concerned, in part, with the health and safety impacts of cellular towers

Larson Utility Camouflage(TM)

Artificial foliage and bark for concealing cellular transmission towers

More tower troubles for county

A proposed cellular telephone tower along Arkansas 45 has county planning officials tiptoeing again along the fine line of their authority over large-scale developments. Northwest Arkansas Times, 11/20/98

Work on cell phone tower site begins

Bulldozers and chainsaws moved atop West Mountain last week to clear property for a controversial cellular telephone tower. Northwest Arkansas Times, 10/26/98

Neighbors request new trial for cell tower decision

Neighboring landowners on West Mountain Street want a new trial to determine if a 170-foot cellular telephone tower can be erected there and this time they want to argue about health effects. Northwest Arkansas Times, 8/29/98

Tower’s health risks ought to be tried, residents say

Residents near West Fork opposed to a proposed cellular telephone tower are asking for a new trial saying they should have been able to present evidence about potential health hazards associated with exposure to radio frequencies. Morning News, 8/22/98

Suit contesting construction of cell tower dismissed

A Washington County Circuit Court Judge on Friday dismissed a lawsuit challenging the erection of a 170-foot cellular telephone tower on a mountain top near West Fork by Southwestern Bell Wireless. Morning News, 8/22/98

Cell tower to be erected on West Mountain

A cellular telephone tower will soon be erected atop West Mountain near West Fork, thanks to a Washington County Chancery Court ruling Friday. Northwest Arkansas Times, 8/22/98

Decision delayed on cell tower

Testimony wrapped up Thursday in the legal battle between a group of West Fork landowners and Southwestern Bell over a proposed cellular telephone tower, but a decision is at least a month away. Northwest Arkansas Times, 6/19/98

Radio frequency issues disallowed in court action

Chancery Judge John Lineberger deflated Wednesday the case of a group of West Fork landowners opposing construction of a cellular telephone by Southwestern Bell. Northwest Arkansas Times, 6/18/98

June trial set for cellular tower case

A dispute over a cellular telephone tower atop a West Fork mountain is finally going to court. Northwest Arkansas Times, 5/25/98

Land owners, Southwestern Bell cell tower debate going to court

Landowners atop a West Fork mountain turned to county officials last year to stop construction of a 180-foot cellular telephone tower, but county officials thought they had little authority to assist. Northwest Arkansas Times, 2/10/98

Cellular tower complaint amended in local court

Nine property owners atop West Mountain in south Washington County want to stop the construction of a cellular communications tower and end the threat of even more towers. Northwest Arkansas Times, 12/1/97

AG comments on regulation of cell towers

Washington County officials thought they had no power to stop cellular communications towers from springing up on surrounding hilltops, but a recent attorney general's opinion might change that. Northwest Arkansas Times, 10/21/97

Federal court sends cell tower case to lower court

A lawsuit challenging the construction of a cellular telephone tower atop a West Fork mountain has been tossed from federal court back to chancery court. Northwest Arkansas Times, 11/16/97

Cellular telephone tower approved by county judge

Washington County cannot stop the development of a cellular telephone tower atop a West Fork mountain, says County Judge Charles Johnson. Northwest Arkansas Times, 9/20/97

Moratorium requested for cellular towers

The "pincushioning of America" is how the increased development of cellular towers is described by opposition groups. Northwest Arkansas Times, 7/31/97