Info On USCG Tower

An open letter from Tahoma resident Ed Miller
February 8, 2009

Dear Lt. Shedd & Mr. Eisner,

It has been a while since we (Chinkapin Road residents et al) have received any information or updates from either of you regarding the proposed site for the USCG's Rescue 21 antenna tower site above Chinkapin Road in Tahoma. We have seen that the CTC has started the “pre-submittal” process with the TRPA, and that leads us to believe that other sites are not being considered. Not being familiar with the timeline, and where the pre-submittal step stands in the process (by definition, it appears to be the first step), I had asked in my last letter to you (Bruce), that you send a timeline so that the process can be followed and understood, but as of this date, no response. We are also curious to hear if the CTC will be paid for the use of the location, and if this has any bearing on it's apparent “pushing” for this location.

On this side of the process, we have seen red ribbons nailed into trees in the area of the proposed tower, which seems to indicate some movement in the process. We, the affected neighbors are looking into retaining legal counsel to guide us thru the process, and consider filing a lawsuit against the appropriate agencies/organizations to halt the process, which will have severe impact on our property values. We realize this could be seen as extreme, but without response from you, we have little choice, if we're to be taken seriously.

Most of us chose this neighborhood, and this street in particular, due to it's proximity to the CTC parcel, with the expectation that the CTC's mission was to protect this land and maintain it for recreation only. The presence of the tower (according to diagrams from the USCG), will mean a somewhat “industrial” site with a generator (in a concrete bunker), a 500 gallon LP gas tank, a razor wire fence, vehicular traffic, lighting, radiation, and who knows what else. All of this will have to be installed by driving right past the CTC sign stating “No Motorized Vehicular Traffic”.

The neighbors here have been good stewards of the CTC properties in our community. Some of us have done fuels reduction and defensible space work on CTC lots adjacent to our properties, some have been “watchdogs” telling dirt bike and ATV riders to leave, or calling law enforcement when needed. We would like the CTC (and the USCG) to also be a good neighbor, and not endanger our lifestyles and investments by putting this project in this location.

I hope that the USCG will utilize one of the other sites they have considered, especially the Tahoe City PUD's water tank locations in the Rubicon area, or other options like Sugar Pine Point State Park, or Homewood Mountain Resort. When I suggested these sites, I suggested that TCPUD General Manager Cindy Gustafson be contacted as their sites have electrical power, access, and some even have antennas! I know that the USCG got in touch with Ms. Gustafson some time ago, but have not heard anything about the sites since then.

In closing, I must state that having held public office as a Fire Commissioner in the Meeks Bay Fire Protection District for over 27 years, I am acutely aware of the need for public safety, and admire the USCG for the role it has played in our community. I have taken an oath to my constituents in this community to protect their life and property, and I consider this tower a threat to the neighborhood's immediate safety and well being, and to the value of our property.

Most Sincerely,
Edward Miller

Pam Washburne & John Kuhlman
7138 Antelope
Tahoma CA 96142

(530) 525-1232

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