Re – cell tower in Snow Road

Jeff Fenwick | Aug 26, 2020

To my fellow neighbors; I’m writing today with a heavy heart.

As some of you may have heard, our Government partnered with private industry, are in the final stages of public consultation before moving forward with an absolutely absurd 300-foot cell phone tower which they are hoping to locate in the hamlet of Snow Road Station.

I along with many of my neighbors are in strong opposition to this proposal.

Some, mostly cottagers from larger urban centres, feel there is a need for mobile phone service and unfortunately to those who cherish dark skies, wide horizons, and wilderness we are the minority. That being said, many are unaware of the actual details of the proposed tower which will have an overall negative impact on our community if erected in the proposed location.

The proposed 100m (300 foot) guyed tower and base station would sit on top of a 217 m hillside along the Mississippi River (Millers Lake) directly in the hamlet of Snow Road Station. If they move forward with the proposed tower it will be among the highest cell phone antennas in our province. Due to the absurd height the tower may be subject to Nav Canada lighting requirements which have not been made available in the public notice and will most likely include numerous beacons, lights and annoying strobes which may dominate our skyline and destroy our dark skies. The proposed tower, which would be over 40 feet higher than the Plevna tower, would be visible from over 30 km away and open to house a multitude of equipment from up to three different providers resembling a monstrosity that would be well placed in a Transformers or Mad Max film.

In addition to the aesthetic and environmental impact, the proposed location within the village limits of Snow Road Station could expose multiple children and families to adverse health risks due to electromagnetic radiation. Additionally, many studies have proven diminished real estate values to properties located near or in direct view of cell phone towers with an immediate reduction in home values of 20 to 22 %.

There is a sentiment floating around that blanketing our rural country side with cellular reception is essential for growth in tourism and that the so called “Snow Road Black Hole” is something that we must fear and illuminate. Being one of the few tourist destinations in the county, I find this statement hypocritical and ridiculous. The areas ONLY attraction is the natural beauty and this is the primary reason folks choose to live in and visit North Frontenac. The irony of the situation reminds me of an old proverb “harmony with the land is like harmony with a friend; you can’t cherish his right hand and chop off the left.”

Each year, thousands of tourists visit our Back Forty Cheese location and nearly every single person I speak with comments on the areas magnificent waterfront views, rolling hills, wilderness and natural beauty. Not once has somebody negatively commented on the lack of cell reception. In fact, visitors often tell me the opposite is true and they love the fact that they can disconnect and get back in touch with nature. The Counties own campaigns revolve around the natural beauty and dark skies with the “four seasons scenic route, “come wander” and the Dark Sky Preserve.

Not one of the many campaign images or videos contains footage of a hideous cell phone tower. Never the less, as sad as it may be, I do succumb to the fact that I’m in the minority and many would rather

tweet and blankly stare at the screens on their smart phones than appreciate nature and skylines, that is of course unless they themselves will be the ones subject to living under or in direct view of the very tower which allows them to do so.

That being said, I’m sure there is a middle-ground. Given the fact that our county is blessed with thousands of acres of unsettled land there must be an alternate site location, outside of the hamlets that can satisfy mobile users without negatively impacting our community, small businesses and landscape. At the very least I would suggest that the County and SBA communications looks into the possibility of reducing the height to allow for non lighting or takes another look at their second proposed location at the Snow Road Fire Hall as this proposed tower would be a third of the height at just 30 m which wouldn’t be as nearly intrusive.

“Like winds and sunsets, wild things were taken for granted until progress began to do away with them. Now we face the question whether a still higher 'standard of living' is worth its cost in things natural, wild and free. For us of the minority, the opportunity to see geese is more important than television.” - Aldo Leopold

Jeff Fenwick