Yucaipa community voices opposition to radio tower
Hundreds of Yucaipa, Oak Glen, and area residents show opposition to radio tower in effort to protect Wildwood Canyon State Park
Views from higher elevations within Wildwood Canyon State Park are unobstructed for miles, but that could change if an 80-foot radio tower is built in the park, say concerned area residents.
Photo By Bob Otto / Staff Photographer
News Release:
YUCAIPA - Concerned area residents are voicing their opposition to a proposed radio tower near Pisgah Peak in Wildwood Canyon State Park. The county of San Bernardino has scheduled a Planning Commission hearing for Thursday, November 6th and area residents are lining up to tell the County just how they feel.
Over the past several months, close to one thousand area residents have registered their opposition to the proposed tower and several hundred of them have sent in letters directly to the county expressing their angst for a project that threatens natural vistas, trails, and local plant and wildlife.
The Planning Commission hearing will be held at the San Bernardino County Government Center and gives residents the first live opportunity to directly express concerns in front of the commission and staff.
Attendees present to speak against the proposed 80-foot radio tower will send a clear message that residents are against further land exploitation of preserved open spaces and are strongly supportive of protecting Wildwood Canyon State Park.
The increasing opposition has already forced the project applicant to reevaluate the original proposal. In fact, the continued pressure from local residents and environmental groups has forced the applicant to amend its original application and finally admit that the tower would be visible from the state park.
The most notable and alarming impacts to the park include construction of a 500-gallon fuel tank, the installation of a large off-site power generator, and the developments of paved maintaince parking - all of which greatly effect hiking and equestrian trials while increasing the likelihood of major brush fires and the emission of greenhouse gasses. Other harmful environmental impacts include visible damage to open spaces, endangerment to native birds, lizards and other species of concern.
Community groups including the Friends of the Wildwood Canyon State Park and Yucaipa Equestrian Arena Committee have joined with the Citizens for Preservation of Rural Living (CPRL) to protest the project. Local volunteers have been circulating a petition opposing the tower while attendance at local car shows and horse competitions has generated a great deal of public interest and support on the CPRL websites www.stopthetowernow.org and www.myspace.com/stopthetowernow.
Anyone in support of saving Wildwood Canyon State park is highly encouraged to attend the Planning Commission hearing on Thursday, November 6th at 9 a.m. in the Board Chambers of the San Bernardino County Government Center, located at 385 N. Arrowhead Ave. in San Bernardino.
To learn more about the public Planning Commissioners Hearing visit www.stopthetowernow.org. If you can not attend this hearing but oppose the tower please call Supervisor Dennis Hansberger at (909) 387-4855 and let his office know.
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