The Wapiti Valley, a gateway to Yellowstone National Park, faces a threat from a proposed 195-foot tall cell tower that could disrupt its natural beauty. Despite local opposition, Horizon Tower, LLC, is pushing forward. We urgently need your help to raise $25,000 for legal fees to protect the interests of the residents and visitors to the Wapiti Valley. Your contribution will help us fight against this corporate disregard for our community and environment. Please donate today.

Greetings,

I am Brian Clarkson, serving as the President of the Wapiti Valley Preservation Group, a collective dedicated to upholding the natural beauty and historic legacy of the Wapiti Valley. This valley stands as a time-honored gateway to America's first National Park, Yellowstone, and we are resolutely committed to safeguarding its splendor.

Since the latter part of 2022, we, alongside the residents of the Wapiti Valley, have been engaged in a battle to protect our home from Horizon Tower, LLC's proposition to erect a 195' tall cell tower at the valley's heart. This invasive construction project threatens to mar not only our scenic landscape but also disrupt the experiences of the half a million annual visitors who travel through Yellowstone's East Gate. The proposed tower, equipped with at least four sets of antennae, would occupy an area equivalent to two full-sized school buses.

In November 2022, Horizon Tower presented their disruptive plan to the Park County Planning and Zoning Commission. Despite numerous vocal citizens opposing the proposal, and no one voicing support, Horizon continues to argue their case. The Commission unanimously voted to deny the tower, citing its incompatibility with the surrounding land uses and its potential adverse impact on adjacent properties.

Despite the Commission's decision, Horizon is determined to impose their will upon our valley. They argue that they have the right to build a cell tower in the Wapiti Valley, ignoring the fact that, according to the FCC's coverage map, telecommunication service already exists in our valley.

Horizon Tower's defiance did not stop at the Planning and Zoning Commission; they presented their plan to the Park County Commissioners early in 2023, only to face unanimous denial again. Yet, the community's relief was short-lived. Now, Horizon Tower is resorting to legal proceedings, accusing Park County of violating the 1996 Telecommunications Act by prohibiting them from constructing their proposed cell tower.

Contrary to their claim, we have provided evidence of over 700 alternative locations that are not only more harmonious with the environment, but that would also cover a larger area due to their elevated positioning. Many of these locations would only require a 50-foot tower, drastically less invasive than their proposed 195-foot monolith.

Despite our resolute community and diligent County Attorney, we find ourselves facing an opponent armed with two major national firms experienced in Telecommunications Law. To ensure we can adequately defend our valley, we must enlist the services of an attorney with expertise in such cases.

This is where you come in. We need your support to raise $25,000 for legal fees. This isn't just about preserving our valley's aesthetic beauty; it's about standing up against corporate entities that believe they can bulldoze over the wishes of the majority. It's about ensuring that every resident and visitor to Yellowstone can enjoy the pristine environment free of unnecessary man-made obstructions.

Your contribution is not just a donation; it's an investment in the future of the Wapiti Valley and a statement against corporate disregard for community and environment. Please, help us protect our cherished valley from this invasive construction. We cannot do this without you.