Yellowstone Cell Tower Comment Period Extended

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (AP) — The National Park Service has given the public more time to comment on a proposal by Verizon Wireless to construct a cellphone tower in Yellowstone National Park.

The public comment period has been extended until Dec. 17.

The proposed cell tower would serve the Lake and Fishing Bridge areas of Yellowstone.

The 100-foot tall tower and accompanying ground facilities would be erected at an existing utility site, next to existing telephone and electric lines.

The Yellowstone Lake area is the only location in the park where construction of a new cell tower is permitted under the park's management plan.

Comments will be reviewed by the NPS prior to approving a right-of-way permit for the facility. If the permit is approved, construction would begin in early 2013.