Overview

The project included installation of a monopole telecommunications tower to support the Richmond Area Microwave Interoperability System (RAMIS) emergency communications network in Charles City County, Virginia. The high speed communication system is essential for the safety and welfare of the people and links together the State Emergency Operations Center and 16 other jurisdictions for emergencies such as hurricanes, fires, tornados, and potential terrorist activities. The county is a host for the Surry Nuclear plant.

G2 provided the following services: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Review, State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) Submittal and Environmental Assessment (EA)

Challenges/Solutions:

• The proposed tower site was located within an area on the National Register of Historic Places.
• The NEPA Review determined the project had an adverse visual effect on historic properties.
• G2 developed a memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the tower owner/Charles City County, the FCC, and the Virginia SHPO to mitigate construction of the tower.
• The successful completion of the MOA resulted in the construction of the tower under the National Preservation Act – Advisory Council on Historic Preservation’s and Federal Communications Commission’s implementing regulations.