July 21, 2000
Road damage concern with pipeline
By Erik Burriss
Staff Writer
In response to federal approval of the Ohio-Pennsylvania portion of the Independence pipeline, more than 20 county and township officials met Thursday to discuss how to prepare for the pipeline's construction.
"This pipeline is bigger than anything we've ever seen," Seneca Regional Planning Commission executive director Paul Harrison said.
Harrison, who hosted the meeting, said the county cannot appeal the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's approval because a resolution passed by the county commissioners only expressed their opposition to the pipeline and did not request intervenor status for the county.
However, Prosecutor Ken Egbert Jr. said it may be possible for the county to "piggyback" onto appeals expected to be filed by the Wood County commissioners or the Seneca County Landowners Association.
County Engineer Jim Nimz was concerned about damage to the county's
infrastructure if, as planned, construction begins in early 2002.
He said his major concern is damage to the road network caused by heavily-laden trucks and construction equipment.
"You need to prepare for the worst and hope for the best," the engineer told the trustees.
In Seneca County, the FERC's recommended route for the pipeline crosses US 224 twice, state routes 4, 12, 18, 53, 101, 162 and 635 as well as about 25 county and township roads and several thousand tiles.
Despite Independence Pipeline Co.'s pledge to bore under all hard surface roads, Nimz said they may try to dig trenches across the county and township roads the pipeline crosses.
"We will not allow open cutting of county and township roads," he said
The county and townships need to make sure the contractors building the pipeline get the required permits, Nimz said. Local officials then need to keep an eye on the construction sites and if necessary enforce the permits through the sheriff's and prosecutor's offices.
"We will cooperate in any way," Egbert said.