A public meeting on a proposal to install a 330-foot steel tower in the southeast corner of an agricultural field along Route 231 in Charles County is scheduled for, July 11, at the SMECO District Office in Prince Frederick.
State officials will describe the proposal, and allow the public to ask questions and make comments. Written comments can also be sent, until the Aug. 8 deadline.
A statewide assessment of communications resources demonstrated the need for a radio/microwave tower in the area to support communications equipment belonging to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources 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 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.