Mystery Creek Wireless Communications Tower Project
Environmental AssessmentWelcome
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has completed an
Environmental Assessment for the proposed New Cingular Wireless PCS,
LLC, Mystery Creek Road FirstNet Communications Project (Project) sited
within the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge). The Project’s Preferred
Alternative includes a 198-foot tower and communications facility sited on
a gravel pad on Mystery Creek Road near Sterling Highway Milepost 63,
between Cooper Landing and Sterling. Engineering surveys identified this
site as the necessary location for the Preferred Alternative design to
provide telecommunications service throughout most of the desired
coverage area. USFWS has concluded the Project would result in no
significant environmental impacts on Refuge resources from
implementation of the Preferred Alternative and has completed a Finding
of No Significant Impact. USFWS has assessed the Preferred Alternative’s
potential impacts and developed mitigation measures to lessen impacts on
Refuge resources. A compatibility determination was completed and
concluded the right-of-way transportation or utility systems permit for the
Preferred Alternative is a compatible use following outlined stipulations.
The Environmental Assessment, Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), and
Compatibility Determination can be found below in the Project Library.
Mystery Creek Tower FONSI PDF
Click image to view the FONSI.
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 FONSI
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Mystery Creek Draft EA
- Contact Us!
If you have questions or would like to contact the project team, please reach out anytime using the contact information below. We look forward to connecting with you!
- Email: [email protected]
The project team welcomes stakeholder questions or concerns at any time.