The Eureka Reporter
By Mike Morrow
5/18/2006
The Yurok Tribal Council chairman has made it clear that Trinidad Head and surrounding areas should be left alone.
Howard McConnell reiterated Wednesday that plans to construct a communications facility and tower at Trinidad Head violate the sacred tradition of the area.
“Trinidad Head,” McConnell said, “is not the place for cell towers. This has been a sacred site for the Yurok people since the beginning of time.
“As the original stewards of the headland, we have made a continuing responsibility to speak out for it. The Creator made a pact with the Yurok to manage this land with the proper respect.”
For more than six months now, representatives of U.S. Cellular and the city of Trinidad have had ongoing discussions about the possible construction of a communications tower at Trinidad Head.
Citizens, including the Friends of Trinidad Head, have spoken against the proposal.
“The vistas of Trinidad Head should not be obstructed by private communications towers operated by U.S. Cellular or anything else,” McConnell said. “Currently, this land is zoned as open space. (What) are cell towers doing on it?”
Protests have been spirited and even humorous, as resident Victoria Sackville wrote and sang a song — “There’s No Place Like Trinidad Head” — to express her displeasure.
U.S. Cellular has plans to install a 25-foot by 50-foot communications facility to be located north of an existing communications tower.
Trinidad Head was transferred from the Bureau of Land Management to the city in 1983. The existing communications site was developed as a cable television site prior to the annexation of Trinidad Head. A weather station also was developed, while a North Cellular telephone service pole was approved in 1997.
Subsequently, additional towers were approved in 2000, 2002 and 2003.
Cal North subleases for the site with Sprint and Edge Wireless and claims current facilities are inadequate.
McConnell said he recently wrote a letter to the BLM, asking it to examine the actions of the city of Trinidad in permitting towers on Trinidad Head. He said he expected an administrative hearing on the matter.
“We also are working with the Tsurai Ancestral Society, the city of Trinidad, and the California Coastal Conservancy in finalizing a management plan for the 12.5-acre Tsurai Study Area. This, we anticipate, will begin the process of transferring the area to the Yurok Tribe. Together, we will do the right thing.”
The Yurok Tribe is the largest in California, with more than 4,900 enrolled members, according to McConnell.