A new radio tower near the Eberts Ranch north of Medora should fill a transmission dead zone.

The Forest Service hopes to erect a 180-foot tower this year to improve communications on the Little Missouri National Grasslands.

The proposed location is about five miles east of the Little Missouri River and the Theodore Roosevelt National Park Elkhorn Ranch Site and somewhat closer to the ranch the agency is purchasing from the Eberts family.

The tower is expected to fill radio transmission needs not only for the Forest Service, but for Theodore Roosevelt National Park and the state.

The Forest Service says it needs better communication to ensure public safety in emergencies like grass and oilfield fires, medical evacuations and search and rescue missions and law enforcement operations.

The tower will not be equipped to extend cell phone coverage. In relation to a tower on Sentinel Butte and one near Medora, it will be the northernmost tower on the Medora District of the grasslands and should spill coverage over into the southern McKenzie County area of the grasslands as well.

Besides the tower, the Forest Service will construct a small building, install a propane tank at the site and fence in the guy wire points.

The Forest Service will take public comments on the proposed radio tower project until April 23. For questions, or to comment, call Jeff Adams at 227-7811, or e-Smail comments-northern-dakota-prairie-medora@;fs.fed.us.

- Lauren Donovan