Loup City radio tower hampered airport project

New information about a similar situation in another Nebraska town was received too late to be introduced into evidence in a petition brought against the City of McCook by McCook Public Power District over a new radio tower.

The petition, which asks a judge to find in favor of the utility placing a 370-foot radio tower within three miles of the city's airport, was filed on March 14. The only evidence that will be considered, if the case is heard by the court, will be testimony received during the city's Feb. 28 Board of Zoning Adjustment meeting.

The information received by the City of McCook concerns a tower placed at the Loup City Airport.

According to documents presented to the Gazette by City Manager John Bingham, Loup City applied for, and received, a "Finding of No Significant Impact" from the Federal Aviation Administration in August 2003. That document was nearly identical to the one received by the City of McCook in December 2004.

After receiving the finding, Loup City allowed Alltel to place a 168-foot tower within the airport's protected zoning area.

In February 2005, Loup City received a letter from the FAA in response to a request to make improvements and extend the runways at the airport. That letter states the only way Loup City can receive approval of funds for the improvements is to reduce the height of the new Alltel tower by 40 feet.

In a letter sent to Stan Goodwin, the McCook attorney representing MPPD, City Attorney Rhonda L. Vetrovsky writes, "These documents may help everyone to understand that the city had good reason to be concerned about the effect the proposed tower would have on the future development of the airport."

Bingham pointed out that the City of McCook is in the process of installing an instrument landing system which will allow pilots to fly at lower elevations -- reduced from the present 500 feet to 200 feet -- over the airport, thus allowing landings during more inclement weather.

If the tower were to be allowed, the city contends, the FAA would likely raise the elevation back to the 500 limit, negating the benefits of the $1.5 million project.

"It's very puzzling the the FAA would maintain one position and come then come back a few months later saying "we have a problem," Bingham said.

Bingham has pointed out while the petition brought by MPPD has been filed, the utility has not yet requested the city be served with court documents.