Dozens of residents gathered at Anthony Recreation Center as negotiations continued with the Kansas Gas Service about tree cutting for the Gary Avenue Project.
A third public meeting was held to discuss the exposed pipeline near Gary Avenue. Due to the exposed transmission line, Kansas Gas Service has planned a clear-cutting project to rebury the pipeline. The original design of the project involved cutting the entire 100-feet wide easement along the whole length of the forested area, 1100-feet long.
Concerns by community members during the first two meetings were clearly expressed. Many residents during those meetings asked about the relocation of the pipeline as an alternative. During Wednesday evening’s meeting, KGS said not only was the relocation of the line dangerous due to the nearby school and residences, but the cost was also not feasible. One KGS representative stated that the relocation would cost $816,000.
Wednesday night the Kansas Gas Service proposed a modified project scope. The modification would see a 40-feet wide clearance in the eastern 250-feet portion of the easement. This is the area where the pipe is currently exposed. The remainder of the easement would have a 30-feet wide section of trees cut out to leave an entrance for site surveys as well as emergency access. The Kansas Gas Service added that none of the trees were on personal property, but instead all of the trees were on Anthony Middle School property.
During the presentation from KGS, they also stated that they have taken the environment into account through an environmental assessment. They said the assessment showed zero species of concern living in the wooded area.
Before opening the floor to public comment and feedback, Kansas Gas Service stated that upon completion of the project, they would take part in restoration activities. As part of the project, KGS will plant native grasses in the middle of the tree line.
Community members were grateful for the decrease in clearance, but also questioned why it couldn’t be decreased even more. Many members of the audience suggested a 20-feet clearance the length of the tree line, stating that 20 feet should be more than enough room for excavating equipment.
Kansas Gas Service did not budge during the meeting and said 30-feet was the minimum space they needed to have room for equipment and still have room to work. Community members continued to push for a smaller area of tree clearing, but KGS was firm that a 20-foot barrier was not possible.
Others in the audience began to ask questions about the environmental assessment that KGS completed, and asked for those records to be made public. Many referred to the idea of transparency to have collaboration on both ends. Kansas Gas Service refused the request saying that the information was confidential.
Throughout the public comments, concerns were raised about the nearby waterway and the increase of runoff by cutting out trees. Many members also questioned who was contracted out to do the project and suggested that someone from the city as well as personnel from Kansas Gas Service needed to be on site during the project.
Former city commissioner and concerned resident, Ed Klimek, asked KGS to reconsider decreasing the clearing width to 20-feet instead of 30. He said literally dozens of trees could be saved by just decreasing by four or five feet on each side.
The exposed pipeline was placed in 1982 and hasn’t seen much maintenance since. Kansas Gas Service said the pipeline doesn’t have any damage to it right now, but reburying the pipe quickly is important in order to prevent damage.
Despite being unable to agree, Kansas Gas Service stated that the project would begin next week.
