I was asked by the press what my thoughts and feelings are regarding the July 24 Board of Supervisors 3 to 2 decision NOT to honor my appeal of the US Cellular 120-foot-high tower in Upper Lake.

First of all, I want to express what an awesome experience it was to have the Board of Supervisors truly hear the concerns of myself and numerous other community residents. This is a very complex issue. The Board of Supervisors granted more than six hours to listening to our concerns during the two hearings devoted to the appeal. They requested a crane simulation be conducted by US Cellular for public viewing. They spent many more hours reviewing documents and scientific research which we presented to them at the hearings, as well as the time spent in consulting with county counsel and weighing this difficult decision.

I've been working on raising awareness of this issue, with the public and decision makers, since 1989. In all that time, I've not seen such consideration from a decision making body. Our Board of Supervisors were exemplary in their willingness to fully consider this appeal.

I am aware that the management of electromagnetic pollution is a political hot potato and am also aware that the Federal Communications has negated the public's welfare, health and safety by adopting the section in the Telecommunications Act of 1996 which says state and local government may not "regulate the placement, construction and modification of telecommunication facilities on the basis of environmental effects of radio frequency emissions" if the facilities comply with FCC regulations with respect to such emissions. There are currently lawsuits in the courts regarding the constitutional violations this act represents.

With this in mind, we presented extensive scientific research in support of the appeal and challenged our Board of Supervisors to stand up to their responsibility to protect the local citizens and environment from known and suspected hazards from chronic exposure to electromagnetic / radio frequency / microwave radiation. Their action to unanimously adopt an immediate urgency moratorium ordinance for Lake County (in regards to telecommunication applications) was a wise and prudent decision by the Board of Supervisors. This will allow time to develop a comprehensive telecommunication plan and update the ordinance that governs the wireless facilities in our county.

However, to deny my appeal (concerning this 120-foot cellular tower in Upper Lake) during the same sitting of the Board of Supervisors, and to allow two other cellular tower applications (still in the planning process) to go forward, doesn't make a lot of horse-sense to me.

Yes, during the hearings, US Cellular's attorney did indicate the potential for a lawsuit against the county, should my appeal be upheld on the basis of my concerns for the health of my community. So what! There were other grounds adequately presented – such as aesthetics alone – that could have been used as basis for a favorable decision supporting my appeal, while holding the county immune to lawsuit.

Also the legal question of the Initial Study not being presented to the Planning Commission with the Staff Report (a California Environmental Quality Act violation) as well as the "less than one mile from the town limit of Upper Lake" (code violation?) were valid reasons to deny the use permit. I truly expected more from the Board of Supervisors on this. It really doesn't sit well with me.

In any case, l sincerely want to publicly thank Denise Rushing and Anthony Farrington for their supportive votes for the appeal.

In conclusion, there are other thoughts I've had on this issue:

While these multibillion dollar international corporations are bullying their way into our community, resulting in a potentially hazardous impact on our quality of life here, where is the money trail? Yes, the county makes a minimal fee through the application process, the land owner(s) make their lease monies, but then what?

For example, in the case of the cell tower site I've questioned, the landowner doesn't even live in Lake County. The cellular company applicant is based out of state. All money generated from local customers will end up out of state with little or no support to the local economy. The land value of the property the cell tower would be housed on, as well as the surrounding properties, would decrease and result in a lower tax-base revenue to the county.

And, who's going to compensate those land owners for their losses? Who's going to pay the medical bills for those people, living nearby, who develop illnesses from chronic exposure to cell tower emissions? Who's going to pay their basic living bills when they can't even work anymore because of those related illnesses? The taxpayers?

If you're concerned about this issue, call your supervisors and let them know. Educate yourself further by reviewing the extensive body of scientific research. Hopefully you'll make the decision to use a land line for most of your calls – use your cell phone for emergency only – and never let one near your children.

Cheryl Little Deer lives in Upper Lake.

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