Mystery Creek Wireless Communications Tower Project
Draft Environmental AssessmentWelcome
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), is evaluating a proposal by AT&T, to build a new wireless communications facility within the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge). The tower’s intended purpose is to improve communications for first responders and will benefit all AT&T wireless customers.
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The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has prepared a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for a proposed AT&T communications tower and facility sited on a gravel pad off Mystery Creek Road within the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge).
The proposed 198-foot tower would be located near milepost 63 on the Sterling Highway between Cooper Landing and Sterling, Alaska. Engineering surveys identified this site as the necessary location for the preferred tower design to provide telecommunications service throughout most of the desired coverage area.
USFWS has assessed the proposed tower’s potential impacts and developed mitigation measures to lessen impacts on Refuge resources. The draft EA will be available for public comment between November 25, 2024 and December 27, 2024. The draft EA can be found below in the Project Library. Comments can be submitted via the methods listed in the Comment Now section.
Mystery Creek Tower Draft EA PDF
Click image to view the Draft EA.
Background
This project is in response to the creation of the First Responder Network Authority. In 2012, the United States Congress signed the Middle-Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act (H.R. 3630; Public Law 112-96), which established the First Responder Network Authority. This law mandates the building, deployment, and operation of a broadband network dedicated to the nation’s first responders. If you’d like to learn more about the First Responder Network Authority then please visit their website at https://firstnet.gov/.
The FirstNet Network will provide first responders with priority access to wireless communications services on a single nationwide network, enabling increased coordination among first responders and decreased response time.
Overview
The project will include a communications facility along Mystery Creek Road within the Refuge. The proposed infrastructure is intended to serve the FirstNet Network and AT&T commercial customers.
Under AT&T’s agreement with the FirstNet First Responder Network Authority, they’re required to provide wireless communications service throughout the United States for 25 years, including the obligation to provide coverage in new areas.
The nearest existing communications site is 12 miles from the proposed tower. Please note that because of topography and canopy cover, this tower does not provide adequate cover to Sterling Highway between Cooper Mountain, Mystery Hills, and Sterling.
Mystery Creek Tower Project Vicinity Map
Click image to enlarge.
Project Library
The documents below are either downloadable PDF documents or weblinks. Adobe Reader is required to view the PDF documents. You may obtain a free copy at get.adobe.com/reader.
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Mystery Creek Draft EA
- Comment Now!
During the environmental review process, governed by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the project team will solicit public input. If you have questions, want to submit a comment, or would like to contact the project team, please reach out anytime using the contact information below. We look forward to connecting with you!
- Leave a comment for the project team emailing the project team at [email protected]
The project team welcomes stakeholder questions or concerns at any time.