Citing concerns about potential risks, property devaluation and long-term effects, about 50 people gathered Saturday at the Central Library in Medford in opposition to the construction of a controversial 223-mile gas pipeline from Coos Bay to the lower Klamath Basin.
"They're going to go right across our property," said Ann Sebesta, 67, of Shady Cove. She said she's worried about the environmental impact, including the need to clear a swath of large trees on her 17 acres. She said she received the notice six months after purchasing the property. She had planned to retire on the land; that goal is up in the air because she doesn't know exactly what is being proposed or how dangerous it would be. So she came to the meeting to learn whether there is a way to fight the pipeline.
Residents of Shady Cove, Trail, Eagle Point, Ashland, Klamath Falls and other places turned out for the three-hour forum Saturday.
John Clarke of Winston held a position similar to Sebesta's.
"I'm only here to see what's going on," said Clarke, 72, who was notified that a half-mile of the pipeline easement would cut through his 160- acre lot in Winston. "There's so much bad information out there."
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Estimated to cost between $700 million and $850 million, the Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline would be used to deliver as much as one billion cubic feet daily of liquefied natural gas. The pipeline would go from the unbuilt Jordan Cove Terminal planned for Coos Bay through the upper Rogue River region in Shady Cove to Malin southeast of Klamath Falls, joining the main West Coast transmission pipeline there. The new pipeline would be jointly owned by the Williams Pacific Connector Gas Operator LLC, Pacific Gas & Electric Corp. and Fort Chicago Energy Partners LP.
Representatives of Williams in Salt Lake City say the project is safe and not a threat to the environment or landowners. According to the project Web site, www.pacificconnectorgp.com, there will be numerous benefits to the region: The pipeline will transport natural gas to local utility companies and other customers in Oregon, the Pacific Northwest, Nevada and California; the pipeline will provide an additional source for natural gas supplies to the West Coast; and the pipeline will provide an economic benefit for Oregon, the Pacific Northwest, Nevada and California
Construction is expected to begin in summer 2009 and be completed in 2010.
Both the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service will be working closely with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the lead agency in the process. FERC and Williams each held several open houses to answer questions for property owners in the summer. FERC is expected to release a draft environmental impact statement in 2007.
Dan Serres of the Southern Oregon Clean Energy Coalition, and one of the organizers of Saturday's forum, said the key is fighting the construction of the Jordan Cove liquefied natural gas terminal in Coos Bay.
"Eminent domain is very difficult to stop," he said. "If we can beat the terminal, we can beat the pipeline."
Francis Eatherington was notified in November that her 160 acres in Days Creek will get a wide swath and trench for the 36-inch pipeline that will run from the top of her property's ridge, down to the chicken coop, beside the house and under the creek.
"We're just devastated by this proposal," she said. "We have a beautiful forest."
She said she feels powerless against eminent domain, and has concerns about the possibility of leaks or explosions.
Brad Mitchell said he was notified his Butte Falls property was selected for the pipeline easement, which he's been fighting.
"It's scary to people," he said. He said property owners are having a hard time learning how much they'll be compensated, how much property values will drop and how safe is it to construct a gas line over so many fault lines. "They (the project coordinators) are not being forthright and clear," he said.
For more information about FERC, visit www.ferc.gov. For the company's Web site, go to www.williams.com
For those opposed to the project and liquefied natural gas, check out citizensagainstlng.googlepages.com.
Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail mlanders@mailtribune.com.
