Radio antenna proposed at St. Mary

Glacier National Park is requesting public comments on a proposal by CenturyLink to install a new microwave radio antenna tower in the developed area of the Park near St. Mary.

The purpose is to provide DSL service to the greater St. Mary area and improve the reliability and speed of Internet access. CenturyLink has paid for and completed an environmental assessment for the project.

The project is part of a larger statewide Montana Public Service Commission requirement mandating CenturyLink upgrade communications capabilities at its rural exchanges in Montana. The upgrade would also benefit radio communication capabilities for the National Park Service.

The environmental assessment is available online at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/StMaryTower. Public comments may be posted online or by mailing Superintendent, Glacier National Park, Attn: St. Mary Tower EA, P.O. Box 128, West Glacier MT 59936. Deadline is Nov. 23.