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by Amy Beth Graves

Plans are in place for a 1,663-mile natural gas pipeline that will stretch from northern Colorado to eastern Ohio. Construction is scheduled to begin this summer in Colorado on the Rockies Express Pipeline, which will cut across 14 southwestern and eastern Ohio counties and lots of farmland.

The pipeline, expected to cost more than $4 billion, will be one of the largest natural gas pipelines ever constructed in North America, according to ConocoPhillips, one of four companies involved in the project. Work on the pipeline is expected to start in 2008 in Ohio and be finished in 2009.

Pipeline officials have been holding open houses throughout Ohio to inform residents about the project, which will end in Monroe County. Ohio Farm Bureau Federation (OFBF) leaders have been keeping a close eye on the pipeline plans to keep members up to date about the pipeline, which will have the capability of transporting 1.8 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas, according to project officials.

"Most of the concern we’ve heard from members is about the size of the pipeline and how deep it will be," said Betsy Anderson, organization director for Belmont, Guernsey, Monroe and Noble counties. The pipeline is expected to cut through those four counties. Plans call for having the pipeline’s path, which can be found at www.rexpipeline.com, parallel to existing pipelines and utilities. As the final route is developed, pipeline managers will "carefully consider environmental impacts and landowner input," according to the Rockies Express Pipeline Web site.

Plans call for the steel pipe to be 42 inches in diameter and be laid about 3 feet underground in most areas and 4 feet or deeper in agricultural areas. The company is seeking a 125-foot easement during construction and a 50-foot permanent easement.

The company said it will attempt to locate existing drain tiles prior to construction by questioning landowners. The company also said it will compensate landowners for any agricultural or livestock losses that may occur because of the project.

Pipeline managers have already started contacting landowners to ask them permission to conduct siting and environmental/cultural surveys on their properties, Anderson said.

County and state OFBF leaders have been attending the open houses and talking with members to learn more about the project, said Larry Gearhardt, director of Ohio Farm Bureau’s local affairs. OFBF is particularly concerned about landowners’ rights, safety and that the land will be returned to its original condition, he said.

"We don’t know for sure where the pipeline will go but Farm Bureau is monitoring the company’s activities to ensure landowners’ rights are taken into consideration," Gearhardt said. "We’re confident that they’re aware of our concerns; our job is to make sure that they follow up on them."