Thomas Daschle: “Mr. President, I want to just take a couple of minutes to talk about why I believe this amendment is needed, primarily…”

“Mr. President, I want to just take a couple of minutes to talk about why I believe this amendment is needed, primarily for the Record, but also for those who may be interested in knowing of a problem that I think is a serious one that has to be addressed. After 4 years of delay, the National Park Service tentatively approved applications to locate two cellular antennae in Rock Creek Park on April 8 of this year. These antennae will be located in areas that are already developed; namely, the Park Service Maintenance Yard and the Fitzgerald Tennis Center. Engineering tests show that the antennae cannot be seen by park users. In March of 1999, the Park Service completed the environmental assessment and concluded that these antennae pose no significant environmental impact. Federal law directs agencies to make their property available to communications facilities so long as they comply with the National Environmental Policy Act, which these antennae do. Unfortunately, even though the decision was approved on April 8, even though we have now waited 4 years, the National Park Service has yet to announce its final decision. This amendment would simply require them to finish the process within 1 week of enactment--now after 4 years.”