Sawtooth National Forest Supervisor Jane Kollmeyer has again denied a proposal to build a cell tower on Galena Summit.

The decision, announced this morning, is identical to Kollmeyer's initial decision on the project made in July of last year. Deputy Regional Forester Cathy Beaty later reversed the July decision, saying Kollmeyer had not provided proper notice and gathered comments on an amendment to the forest plan that would change the visual quality rating for the site.

Kollmeyer gathered more public comment early this year, and in today's announcement said she also will go ahead with the rating change, further restricting any development allowed at the site. Her decision can be read at http:www.fs.fed.us/r4/sawtooth/projects/ and could be appealed.

The tower, proposed by Idaho Tower Co. of Ketchum, would have provided cell phone service in that part of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area.

For more, read Thursday's edition of the Times-News.