Sensible Thurston County Wireless Code
Donation protected
Who are we. We are group of concerned Thurston County citizens that live in the county who do not want our rural roads dotted with towers and antennas. That prefer to look out our window and see trees and birds rather than an ugly pole or antenna spewing wireless radiation into our homes and yards. We believe in due process, the right to be heard, and the right to peaceful enjoyment of our homes without electromagnetic pollution, and the right of our county to local control of infrastructure. We are regular folks from all walks of life, liberal, conservative, young, old, home owners, and renters.
What's going on. Thurston County is currently rewriting it's wireless code. The current draft code is written mainly for the benefit of wireless companies, making it as easy as possible to implement small cell (4G/5G) wireless all over the county, including your front yard. The code allows small wireless towers and antennas to be installed in the right of way (the strip in front of your house next to the road) with no set back, no significant notice to residents, no public comment, no limits on wattage's, no requirement for a gap in coverage. Your only recourse is to go to court, of course by the time you do that it will already have been installed, because you get 3 days notice before installation. These "small cell sites" because their is no power limit in the code, can be as powerful, and often more powerful than the macro antennas, emitting powerful wireless radiation into your living room or child's bedroom.
The draft code is somewhat better for macro wireless tower sites with some public notice for those near by and a public hearing. Their is no reason these same procedures could not be applied for small wireless facilities in the right of way.
Further the code only requires the applicant to "attest" that the tower is properly licensed by the FCC and within legal limits for radiation, environmental rules, etc. There is no verification or requirement of proof in most cases.
You may think that this is a long way out, however both the state and federal government have allocated significant funding for "rural broadband", which is code for small cell and 5G. This funding makes it very attractive for wireless companies. Thurston County is among the most populated "rural" area's in Washington, so we will be high on the list. The draft code also allows for "batch" applications and approvals which means dozens, or even hundreds of small cell sites could be approved at once.
Although they have set a public hearing on the draft code with the planning commission for June 2nd, they have not released the latest version of the draft code. We will post it as soon as we can get a copy. However you can see the first draft here . We have been told they have since removed the gap in coverage requirement and added notice for macro towers to those living within 2600'.
What is the money for. This fund raiser is to help cover the cost of the top wireless attorney for citizen and local rights to do an ordinance review. This is a 40+ page detailed document pointing out any deficiencies in the code as well as example consequences if they leave the recommended items out of the code. He will also be available for questions and to speak to county staff and commissioners if they are willing. The total cost for this is $8500. A price I think many would pay to keep a wireless tower or antenna out of their front yard.
Attorney Andrew Campanelli has successfully litigated thousands of cases against wireless companies and towers. He has advised many communities large and small on how to write a responsible wireless code that complies with all Federal Laws and maintains local control and right of citizens. You can read more information about him and his firm here and here.
Please donate as soon as possible so we can get this information to county staff and commissioners before the code is finalized.
You can find out more information about why you should be concerned about wireless radiation at the below websites.
https://www.5gcrisis.com/
http://emfsafetynetwork.org/
https://scientists4wiredtech.com
https://www.5gappeal.eu/
What's going on. Thurston County is currently rewriting it's wireless code. The current draft code is written mainly for the benefit of wireless companies, making it as easy as possible to implement small cell (4G/5G) wireless all over the county, including your front yard. The code allows small wireless towers and antennas to be installed in the right of way (the strip in front of your house next to the road) with no set back, no significant notice to residents, no public comment, no limits on wattage's, no requirement for a gap in coverage. Your only recourse is to go to court, of course by the time you do that it will already have been installed, because you get 3 days notice before installation. These "small cell sites" because their is no power limit in the code, can be as powerful, and often more powerful than the macro antennas, emitting powerful wireless radiation into your living room or child's bedroom.
The draft code is somewhat better for macro wireless tower sites with some public notice for those near by and a public hearing. Their is no reason these same procedures could not be applied for small wireless facilities in the right of way.
Further the code only requires the applicant to "attest" that the tower is properly licensed by the FCC and within legal limits for radiation, environmental rules, etc. There is no verification or requirement of proof in most cases.
You may think that this is a long way out, however both the state and federal government have allocated significant funding for "rural broadband", which is code for small cell and 5G. This funding makes it very attractive for wireless companies. Thurston County is among the most populated "rural" area's in Washington, so we will be high on the list. The draft code also allows for "batch" applications and approvals which means dozens, or even hundreds of small cell sites could be approved at once.
Although they have set a public hearing on the draft code with the planning commission for June 2nd, they have not released the latest version of the draft code. We will post it as soon as we can get a copy. However you can see the first draft here . We have been told they have since removed the gap in coverage requirement and added notice for macro towers to those living within 2600'.
What is the money for. This fund raiser is to help cover the cost of the top wireless attorney for citizen and local rights to do an ordinance review. This is a 40+ page detailed document pointing out any deficiencies in the code as well as example consequences if they leave the recommended items out of the code. He will also be available for questions and to speak to county staff and commissioners if they are willing. The total cost for this is $8500. A price I think many would pay to keep a wireless tower or antenna out of their front yard.
Attorney Andrew Campanelli has successfully litigated thousands of cases against wireless companies and towers. He has advised many communities large and small on how to write a responsible wireless code that complies with all Federal Laws and maintains local control and right of citizens. You can read more information about him and his firm here and here.
Please donate as soon as possible so we can get this information to county staff and commissioners before the code is finalized.
You can find out more information about why you should be concerned about wireless radiation at the below websites.
https://www.5gcrisis.com/
http://emfsafetynetwork.org/
https://scientists4wiredtech.com
https://www.5gappeal.eu/
Organizer
Josh Stottlemyer
Organizer
Olympia, WA
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