Board approves up to $20,000 for cleanup of abandoned Wilfred radio tower to support Long Valley Fire communications

The Mono County Board of Supervisors voted March 17 to approve up to $20,000 from County Service Area 1 (CSA 1) funds to support cleanup of the Wilfred radio/TV tower site and allow Long Valley Fire to install its own VHF repeater. Presenters said the site, originally built for television decades ago, is largely abandoned: satellite dishes and infrastructure have been damaged by wind, batteries on site are more than 20 years old, interior wiring is loose and rodent infestation is extensive.

Long Valley Fire representatives proposed that their volunteers perform the cleanup and remove obsolete materials, haul recyclables to a metal recycling facility, and repair wiring and other hazards so the site is safe and usable. They said their installation would be autonomous from existing CSA systems—solar power and a separate FCC license—and would provide radio coverage to canyon areas not covered by the county’s CRIS system.

Board discussion and conditions: Supervisors asked about Forest Service requirements for changes to the site and whether written approvals were needed for additional frequencies; presenters said the CSA holds a county lease with the Forest Service and that written acknowledgment of any frequency additions and a coordinated FCC/state filing will be completed before installation. County IT confirmed it does not have equipment currently at the site and offered to coordinate a site inventory with CSA volunteers.

Vote and outcome: After public comment and department presentations, the board moved and seconded approval and recorded voice votes in favor. Staff and CSA representatives will coordinate logistics, including disposal and potential landfill fee waivers to reduce hauling costs.