Home / Environment / Environmentalists Vow to Fight Planned Cell Tower in Ramapo Valley Reservation
Environmentalists Vow to Fight Planned Cell Tower in Ramapo Valley Reservation
19 Oct
Summary
- Proposed 500-foot cell tower on public land sparks backlash from residents
- County officials say tower would address lack of "reliable cell service" in the area
- Environmentalists argue tower is for private profit, not public good
As of October 19th, 2025, Bergen County officials are exploring a proposal to bring a 500-foot telecommunications tower to the Ramapo Valley County Reservation, the county's largest park. The plan involves a public-private partnership, where a private company would construct and operate the tower on public land at no cost to taxpayers.
County officials claim the tower is needed to address a lack of "reliable cell service" in the area, which they say poses a danger to lost or injured hikers and emergency responders. However, more than 40 people attended an October 15th, 2025 county commissioners meeting to voice their opposition to the project.
Environmentalists and local activists, led by former New Jersey Sierra Club director James Tittel, have formed a group called "Save Our Amazing Ramapos" (SOAR) to fight the proposal. They argue the tower is not about public safety, but rather about facilitating high-speed stock trades for private companies. According to Tittel, major cell providers have confirmed there is already ample coverage in the surrounding area.
The county has approved a non-binding memorandum of understanding to allow for further evaluation of the partnership, but no public meetings have been scheduled on the issue. Commissioners say they are simply doing their "due diligence" to explore the option, but opponents warn that allowing the tower on public parkland would set a dangerous precedent.
