971219.docx

DECISION MEMORANDUM
TO:COMMISSIONER HANSEN
COMMISSIONER NELSON
COMMISSIONER SMITH
MYRNA WALTERS
TONYA CLARK
DON HOWELL
STEPHANIE MILLER
DAVE SCHUNKE
JOE CUSICK
BILL EASTLAKE
DAVID SCOTT
WORKING FILE
FROM:WELDON STUTZMAN
DATE:DECEMBER 19, 1997
RE:PETITION BY RESIDENTS OF LOST RIVERS VALLEY (ARCO, MOORE, BUTTE CITY, HOWE, MACKAY, LESLIE, DARLINGTON) TO INSTITUTE EXTENDED AREA SERVICE TO SOUTHEASTERN IDAHO EAS REGION.
Currently pending before the Commission is an EAS case to consider implementation of toll-free calling between Malad City and Rexburg, which is part of the southeastern Idaho EAS region (Case No. GNR-T-97-6).  The local exchange carrier in Malad City is Westel, Inc.  In October 1997, the Commission received an EAS petition from residents of the Lost Rivers Valley, comprised of Arco, Moore, Butte City, Howe, Mackay, Leslie, and Darlington, requesting implementation of toll-free calling between their communities and the southeastern Idaho EAS region.  Basic telephone service in Lost Rivers Valley also is provided by Westel.
Although the Lost Rivers Valley exchange and the Malad exchange are not geographically close to each other, both are operated by Westel, and the residents of both are petitioning for inclusion in the southeastern Idaho EAS region, operated by U S WEST.  Staff therefore recommends that the new petition from the Lost Rivers Valley residents be included in Case No. GNR-T-97-6, the Malad City case.
Commission Decision:
Should the petition by residents of Lost Rivers Valley be combined in Case No. GNR-T-97-6?

Weldon Stutzman
cm\M:gnrt976.ws