ANNAPOLIS —- A public meeting to discuss a proposal to install a new 330-foot freestanding steel tower in the southeast corner of an agricultural field along Route 231 in Charles County is scheduled for Tuesday, July 11, at 7 p.m., at the SMECO District Office located at 901 Dares Beach Road in Prince Frederick. The meeting will provide an opportunity for State officials to make a presentation describing the proposal, and the public will have an opportunity to ask questions and make comments. Written comments must be received by close of business on August 8, 2006.
A statewide assessment of communications resources has demonstrated the need for a radio/microwave tower in the area to support communications equipment belonging to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and other State and local public service providers. After reviewing potential locations, DNR proposes to construct the tower adjacent to a grove of trees approximately 450 feet from the road. The tower would be accompanied by a 12- by 38-foot equipment building and 1000-gallon fuel tank for an emergency generator. The entire complex would be enclosed within a 100- by 100-foot fenced compound.
The property, known as the Indian Creek Natural Resources Management Area (NRMA), is 660 acres of State-owned land located along the south side of Route 231 in Charles County. It was previously known as the Patuxent River NRMA.
For additional information, you can contact Arnold Norden at Public Lands Policy and Planning, Maryland DNR, Tawes State Office Building, E-4, Annapolis, Maryland 21401. He can also be reached by phone at (410) 260-8406 or email at bnorden@dnr.state.md.us.