CEDAR CITY — Improved public safety is the expected result of a new communications facility recently approved for construction and maintenance by the Bureau of Land Management Utah Cedar City Field Office.
According to a BLM press release, the Utah Communications Authority has proposed the new structure and operation, which would expand western Beaver and southwestern Millard counties’ radio coverage for the Utah Highway Patrol, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, other local and state public safety agencies, as well as federal law enforcement.
“Since there is little-to-no radio coverage in the area, Utah Communications Authority’s new site would enhance officer, first responder and public safety in the Pine and Hamlin valley areas,” BLM Utah Cedar City Field Manager Paul Briggs said. “The safety benefits this new facility will bring can be achieved, while also ensuring we continue to prioritize our multiple-use mission of caring for our public lands.”
Utah Communications Authority currently relies on its Frisco Peak communications site, which is two mountain ranges to the east and provides extremely limited coverage to these areas, the news release said. This project would result in a new facility including upgrades to provide sufficient solar power generation and battery capacity to provide the energy required by the equipment. Once the new facility is complete, the original footprint will be reclaimed.
The BLM project website indicates the following specifics of the project:
There is an existing BLM communications facility in this location, which is not offering sufficient coverage to BLM and law enforcement personnel. The proposed action would remove the existing facility and replace it with a new communications site constructed and operated by the Utah Communications Authority. The site would include a 12-by-27-foot concrete building, three solar arrays, a 1,000-gallon propane tank and a 100-foot tower.
Due to the elevation of the project, construction is anticipated to start later this year, depending on weather. The project should take approximately 30 days to complete.
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