Whiskey Creek Ranger Station Communication Link

The National Park Service (NPS) proposed the installation of two antennas in order to create a communications link between the Park Headquarters and the Whiskey Creek Ranger Office. The Whiskey Creek Ranger Office is located at 13651 Whiskey Creek Road, and is a house that the NPS converted to offices when it acquired the property in 2009. The building has basic telephone service; however, due to the remote location of the property there are no data services available for the Park Rangers to utilize the park secure internet and Voice over IP (VOIP) phone system. In order to provide adequate communications at the Ranger Office, the NPS proposed linking this facility via microwave technology to the existing IT infrastructure available at the Park Headquarters. This solution is the most cost effective option to providing data services to this location.

In order to create this link, the park posposed the installation of a 30 foot high self-supporting tower at each location that would be painted dark green in order to reduce visibility by blending in with the surrounding vegetation. The antennas themselves would consist of a 48 inch dish, with the exterior also painted a dark color. These towers will be installed in administrative areas, and will be placed to minimize visibility while still providing adequate signal strength.

The park has completed an environmental assessment (EA) to evaluate potential impact these towers may have on park resources and the surrounding environment. A Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) was signed by the Regional Director of the Pacific West Region on August 30, 2012. More information is available from the "Document List" link to the left of the screen. Construction is anticipated to begin in September 2012.

Contact Information

Jim Richardson, Chief Ranger
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
14412 Kennedy Memorial Drive
Whiskeytown, CA 96095

(530) 242-3413