Glacier National Park Seeks Public Comment on TV Translator Project

The National Park Service is seeking public comments on a proposal to renew a special use permit for a television translator at Apgar Lookout near West Glacier in Glacier National Park.

The translator is currently operating under a temporary special use permit issued to Desert Mountain Television Association, which has requested renewal of the permit.

The park service will prepare an environmental assessment of the impacts of continuing to permit this commercial activity on park lands.

The translator broadcasts the Kalispell-based NBC affiliate station KCFW-TV to residents of Apgar, Coram, Hungry Horse, Lake McDonald and West Glacier.

The translator was installed in the early 1960s and consists of a small transmission box in the basement of the lookout and three antennas mounted on a post set several feet away from the lookout.

If the permit is continued, the Desert Mountain association would pay an annual rental fee to the park service plus a utility fee for electricity.

Apgar Lookout is a historic structure and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Comments are being sought early in the planning process. Comments may be sent directly through the Web site at http://parkplanning.nps.gov or written comments may be sent to: Superintendent, Glacier National Park, Attn: Apgar TV Translator EA, West Glacier, MT 59936.

All comments must be received at the park no later than May 16.