The purpose of the task force is to focus on mobile phone communication in eastern Keweenaw County, or as referred to, the “top of the Keweenaw Peninsula.”

Since The Keweenaw Mountain Lodge was sold by Keweenaw County into private hands, states the facility’s website four years ago, the new owners have met with aggressive tactics from cell phone tower companies. The site states that a full month before closing of the sale in September 2018, cell tower companies had begun approaching the new owner. Diamond Communications/AT&T have been aggressive in finding a tower location, initially on the Mountain Lodge Property and currently, across the road from the Lodge property.

Diamond Communications and AT&T’s proposal, with Ramaker as the consultant, is for the construction of a 263-foot cell tower off U.S. 41, across from the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge property. The tower will have two red blinking lights on it: 1 at the top and 1 in the middle.

“To some, not having cell service is not a problem, and believe it isn’t needed or is a luxury that doesn’t have to be around every second of the day,” the website states. “However, to others, they need cell service for a certain comfort level in living or traveling, As well, a stronger cell service coverage provides emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and first responders the ability to find individuals that need medical assistance (e.g. a mountain biker that has been injured on one of the trails, or someone that is having a heart attack or a stroke).”

keweenawmountainlodge.com This image reflects the location based upon the balloon test in late May 2021 performed by Ramaker and Diamond, with a simulated tower as tall as the balloon (see the balloon at the top of the tower in the image.

The proposal has not received the support of township boards.

“The Grant Township Board has reviewed the Diamond presentation materials,” Grant Township Supervisor Scott Wendt stated in a May 13, 2021, letter. “Grant Township officials have also received public opinion, which has been overwhelmingly opposed to the project.”

Wendt went on to state that while the Grant Township Board recognizes and supports the need for wireless communication coverage throughout the “Greater Copper Harbor Region,” it is the board’s opinion that the Diamond Towers project does not provide the required level of coverage for communication and emergency service, while also possessing a significant negative impact on the historical and natural view ways of the Brockway Mountain Valley.

The issue, the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge website states, there is very limited cell service currently throughout the Keweenaw, especially at the top of the Keweenaw Peninsula. This is one of the draws to the area, the site states, “as people look to get away from the hustle and bustle of their daily lives, and escape to the Keweenaw.”

At the same time, there is also the argument that the ability to communicate with anyone, at any time, in any place, has become a necessity for some. The cell phone has been the main instrument for that ability to communicate.

The communication issue is a double-edged sword for the Mountain Lodge. Since the lodge, as well as Brockway Mountain Drive, are on the national historic register, the lodge has the responsibility to be a steward of the historic nature of the infrastructure and the vistas, says the website. The standard solution for improving cell phone coverage is to erect as many towers as possible in a location; and the taller and bigger the better.

“If you have any suggestions on how to improve cell coverage at the tip of the Keweenaw while not diminishing the vistas that the area is known for,” states the Mountain Lodge website, “contact us. We will work to create a forum where solutions are discussed, the problem clearly defined, and a problem discovered or created.”

All are welcome to attend the Feb. 28 meeting, either in-person, by computer or by phone ((US) +1 224-475-1266 PIN: 935 523 293#).