BONNYVILLE – Following a MD of Bonnyville council decision, two new 90 ft. free-standing telecommunication towers are slated to be built in the far north region of the municipal district. However, the towers’ construction is unlikely to impact residents' connectivity or cellular services.
On Oct.12, council was presented with a discretionary development permit seeking approval for the installation of two telecommunications towers proposed to be constructed on existing well pads within the former ID 349 lands and Cold Lake Air Weapons Range.
The applicant, Canadian Natural Resource Limited (CNRL), will cover the estimated $200,000 cost of constructing both telecommunications towers for cellular, two-way and Wi-Fi coverage.
The approved sites are located south of the Foster Creek Wolf Den camp, which is roughly 50 km north of Wolf Lake MD campground, situated on Crown land.
As there are no towers or residences within 500 metres of the location proposed by CNRL, no adjacent landowner letters were sent out by the municipality.
The application also satisfies all existing regulations set by the Antenna System Siting Policy and the Alberta Energy Regulator, according to MD administration.
On average, manufacturers of 90 ft. telecommunication towers claim to have a communications range of roughly 30 km. However, it is currently unknown what the anticipated range of CNRL’s towers will be as it was not provided to council.
With little discussion, council members unanimously voted to approve CNRL’s development permit.
