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Y Mount Shasta Bioregional Ecology Center Page 5 of 6
<br />Why don't we just oppose the construction of cell towers in our county?
<br />In a strategic move, the cell phone industry has tried to make it illegal for citizens to
<br />oppose the towers based on health concerns. In the Telecommunications Act of
<br />1996, state and local rights were seriously limited with regard to opposing towers
<br />based on health concerns. The constitutionality of this Act has been challenged in
<br />the Supreme Court, and a long legal battle is sure to follow. But it will take years,
<br />while the public continues to be exposed to chronic, cumulative radiation with each
<br />new cell tower.
<br />So what CAN we do?
<br />The Telecommunications Act prevents citizens from opposing the towers based on
<br />concerns about RF emissions, but we can oppose them on numerous other valid
<br />grounds. There are still rights we and our local elected officials maintain, that allow
<br />us local control of the number, size and placement of cell towers, while still
<br />providing for adequate cell phone coverage. Numerous communities have called for
<br />moratoriums on tower construction, allowing them needed time to study the issue,
<br />and enact strict ordinances that require the industry to respect community desires,
<br />such as building the minimum towers necessary, in appropriate locations. During
<br />these moratoriums, communities are preparing non-industry biased studies of cell
<br />phone tower need, and creating cell tower Master Plans, to help protect the rights
<br />and health of citizens, while complying with the law. 18, 19, 20
<br />Siting of cellular towers is an important function of our elected officials. Protection of
<br />citizens' health and property rights should be foremost in the responsibilities of local
<br />government. We urge our elected officials to protect the health and welfare of the
<br />citizens who live here, rather than big-money interests with profit as their bottom
<br />line.
<br />For further information, these websites offer a good starting point:
<br />www.emrnetwork.org, www.microwavesnews.com, www.ccwti.orq, wwwmave-
<br />quide.org, www.planwireiess.com, www. rfsafe.com , Sageasoociates.net
<br />2002, Karen J. Rogers, B.S
<br />Endnotes
<br />1 Microwave and Radio Frequency Radiation Exposure, San Francisco Medicine,
<br />Vol. 74, No 3, March 2001
<br />2 Mobiles Risk to children, Daily Mail (U.K.), May 11, 2000
<br />3 Radiofrequency Radiation Health Studies, Wireless Antenna Site Consumer
<br />Information Package, Sage Associates, Montecito, CA, 2000, www.
<br />sageassocciates. net
<br />4 Tower concerns should be health, not aesthetics, Burlington Free Press, January
<br />12, 2001
<br />5 Selected and Extensive Bibliographies on Electromagnetic Fields and Health,
<br />Bridlewood Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs) Information Service, compiled by:
<br />Richard W. Woodley, revised 1999,
<br />www.wave-guide.org/archives/bridlewood/biblio.html
<br />6 Reported Biological Effects From Radiofrequency Non-Ionizing Radiation,
<br />www.wave-guide.org/library/studies.html
<br />7 Some Reported Biological Effects from Radiofrequency Radiation, Sage
<br />Associates, 2000 at www.sageassociates.net/rfchartreportbio-sample.pdf , and
<br />Reference List for Some Reported Biological Effects from Radiofrequency Radiation
<br />http://www.mountshastaecology.org/Archive/Health_Effects_from_Cell_Phone_Tower_R... 1/29/2014
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