By Stephen Smoot, The Pendleton Times
FRANKLIN, W.Va. — Earlier this month, Pendleton County passed a strongly worded resolution calling for “Dissolution” of the National Radio Quiet Zone or “total waivers of any NRQZ restrictions imposed on Public Safety Radio Frequency Bands currently in use, as well as all the commercial cellular/wireless bands, and commercial satellite internet providers.”
Last week, Webster, Tucker, and Upshur counties joined by passing their own resolutions, as did the Seneca Rocks Regional Development Authority. Other counties have opened discussions to sign on in opposition to the NRQZ.
Commissioners from Randolph, Pocahontas, and Pendleton counties also met last week to discuss the continuing problems with the NRQZ. The resolutions show state and federal elected and other officials that local government sees the NRQZ as a serious impediment.
The NRQZ dates back to 1958 “to minimize possible harmful interference to the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Green Bank, West Virginia and the radio receiving facilities for the United States Navy in Sugar Grove, West Virginia.” It continues to affect more than 10,000 square miles in West Virginia and Virginia.
Restrictions related to the NRQZ create tremendous challenges for Pendleton County in a number of ways. Rick Gillespie, Pendleton County Emergency Services coordinator, recently described those restrictions as “strangling” to WBOY in Clarksburg.
NRQZ mandates hamper both cellular and wireless internet use, which leaves large sections of Pendleton, Pocahontas, and other counties difficult to develop economically.
