In an agreement hammered out in a Minneapolis courtroom, AT&T has agreed to suspend construction of a controversial cell phone tower at the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness until a trial determines its ultimate fate.
The Timberjay has the full story HERE.
The advocacy group Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness filed a suit earlier this year claiming the 450-foot tower on a ridge near Fall Lake in the Ely area violates the Minnesota Environmental Rights Act because it will be visible from the BWCAW. The tower is presently designed to be illuminated day and night with strobe and beacon lighting.
The agreement for AT&T to suspend construction came at a hearing on August 4 considering a temporary injunction on construction of the tower.
A trail date has not been set, but one is not expected before December.