Commissioners approve cell-tower easement contingent on forestry director’s sign-off

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners voted to authorize execution of an underground right-of-way easement for a cell tower on the Bowhill/Boat Hill Road property, provided county forestry director Streeter approves easement language ensuring county operations are not impeded.

County staff said the property contains two cell towers; one tower has been using power tied to the other and the operator requested a separate easement to run power along the road across county-managed ground. Forestry staff alerted the board that a timber harvest is under contract for the summer and expressed concern that a new easement should not interfere with harvest operations.

Commission discussion focused on confirming whether the existing lease grants the power connection, whether a separate easement document is needed to run power across additional county land, and making sure any new easement explicitly preserves the county’s right to operate on the property. Staff and the board agreed to revise the easement or add an exhibit that clearly states the easement will not impede county forestry operations. Commissioners asked that the cell-tower operator coordinate with the forestry director on timing and access.

One commissioner made a motion to approve the easement with the contingency that the forestry director approve the final verbiage; another commissioner seconded. The Board called the roll and recorded unanimous support: Mr. Smith—yes; Mr. Bernick—yes; Commissioner Platt—yes. The chair announced the motion carried 3–0.

Staff said they will provide the lease/easement documents to the forestry director and return the final instrument for signature once the director confirms the verbiage. No monetary terms were discussed at the workshop.