Watching An Environmental Disaster In The Making

The Rockies Express (REX) East pipeline right of way clearing has been going on for several weeks. The REX contractors took off for Christmas and left us with this mess which we discovered today, December 28, 2008. These photos were shot in western Franklin County (Indiana) less than a mile from my home. The location is just north of Snake Road, along a creek that is known to be prone to extreme flooding conditions. You can't see any of the 42" pipe yet, but the erosion is apparent. Note especially the "porta potty" sitting in the rain-made pool. Also, if you observe the pictures showing the ROW clearing coming down the hill (looking West), you can see the erosion ruts already. No effort to control the erosion appears in these pictures, such as straw on the hillside or effective barriers. So, as REX prepares to cut through the creek to lay their pipe, more damage will occur.

Due to the highly erodible, sandy nature of soil in this area of Indiana, the pipe will be subject to nature's ferocity when the normal Spring, Summer and Fall rainfalls swell the creeks and overflow the banks.

All of this information was provided to the FERC earlier, but it fell on deaf ears. REX's real problems will start after they bury their pipe. They have not studied the flooding history in this area, nor do they have any known plans to compensate for it. But, the gas will flow and they will make their money regardless!

REX equipment along ROW










The Creek Looking North









A Few Feet Farther North

Portable Potty in the Construction Area

FERC Filing

This should appear on the docket tomorrow. Thanks to Mike G for taking the pics. What a mess we have out here and in Franklin County. More later.

December 14, 2008

Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
888 First Street NE, Room 1A
Washington , DC 20426
Re: Docket CP07-208-000 Rockies Express, LLC---East

Dear Ms. Bose:

Now that FERC has allowed REX to construct their pipeline, and REX is actually speeding up and down our roads all day long, it would seem that you would want to keep track of how the project is going on the ground in Decatur and Franklin counties in Indiana. I received this email today from a citizen of Franklin County who is retired from the Indiana Natural Resources Commission. He knows the environmental consequences of the erosion taking place in our area due to REX’s land clearing efforts.

I am pasting his email here and attached some pictures he sent with it. These photos were taken from Wolf Creek Road, west of Fore’s Hill Road, and from Fore’s Hill Road itself, all in Franklin County. He asked me to inform the FERC what is happening out here, so I am accommodating him. I can say, our area of Decatur County looks much the same as these photos depict, but you should be able to get the drift of what is happening from his emails and photos.

“Here are some of the 15 photos I took earlier today (14, December, 2008) in Franklin County . The straw bales appear to be the only feeble attempt to do "something" about erosion. It didn't work. Notice that there are no silt fences protecting the creeks, no mulching whatsoever is present on these very steep slopes. This is a prime example of REX's lack of concern for the land, the waters, and natural resources in general. For the governmental entities to not demand Rex control erosion created by their actions is appalling. I am losing faith in "laws to protect us." What good are they if they won't be enforced. A person building a home on one acre of relatively flat land will be denied a building permit if they don't comply with the very laws Rex is ignoring. Rex can afford to install adequate erosion control measures. They should be fined heavily and daily, till such adequate erosion control measures are implemented. It can be easily proven on paper that excessive erosion will occur from these sites. NRCS offices in all counties can prove it. IDNR Division of Soil Conservation is also capable of producing these figures....It's time someone holds Rex accountable for their lack of action on this matter. Mike Gribben (Retired NRCS)”

I know FERC doesn’t care about this situation and you won’t do anything, but at least the record will show that you were advised what was going on. This is an environmental disaster in the making, as you have been told all along by the many landowners, stakeholders and elected representatives who have written to you over the last two and a half years. FERC still chose to allow the poorly designed route through our area and into Ohio , and now the onus is on you to justify your decisions.

Sedimentation Photos

I am passing this info along from Mike Hardamon in Johnson County so all affected landowners can be aware of the things he has learned about the REX pipeline process so far, and how to file a complaint with FERC. Note especially how you need to work with REX ahead of time to make sure you are not blocked from accessing your property by pipe that is welded but not yet buried. Our mess over here in eastern Decatur County is just about as bad, especially with the recent rain and snow melt.

Thanks to Mike for passing this along.

From: mike@med-care.com
Sent: Sunday, December 14, 2008 11:19 AM
Subject: Fw: Sedimentation photos

Joe,

I know you'll find it hard to believe but I had to file a complaint w/FERC due to:

1. Sedimentation reaching my pond and creek.

2. Once welded the pipeline will prevent me from accessing 1/2 of my property for a minimum of 3 weeks, possibly 3 months depending on when the pipe is buried.

Property owners need to be aware of this fact. REX will leave you an access which they will weld prior to burying the pipe so as to allow access across the easement but you need to ask ahead of time. If the agent (and watch out for Ron Mimna - his ethics would make an Illinois governor blush) gives any crap, call FERC at 888.889.8030 to lodge a complaint.

The link to the pictures follows.

Thanks

Mike

http://www1.snapfish.com/shareereg/p=572121229111000004/l=452195493/g=147587212/otsc=SYE/otsi=SALB/pns/share/p=572121229111000004/l=452195493/g=147587212/otsc=SYE/otsi=SALB