By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bowling Green and EPA officials met Monday with the Nexus pipeline construction team at the drilling site for the Maumee River crossing.
Mayor Dick Edwards promised the Bowling Green community he would make sure experts were watching when the river crossing was done – to make sure it went smoothly. The natural gas pipeline runs very close to the city’s water treatment plant, which gets its water from the Maumee River.
“According to the engineering staff, there are no surprises or impediments to date, and the project is proceeding in keeping with the planned schedule,” Edwards reported to City Council Monday evening.
The first stage of the river crossing, which is well underway, involves drilling a small diameter pilot hole along a designated directional path.
Monday’s briefing from Nexus specifically dealt with the horizontal-directional drilling technology, the project timeline, plus safety and compliance. Attending the meeting with Nexus personnel was the mayor, City Council President Mike Aspacher, BG water treatment plant superintendent Mike Fields, Ohio EPA Director Craig Butler, and Ohio Regional EPA Director Shannon Nabors.
Edwards said he is satisfied with the attention to safety on the project. He said all of the 39 conditions outlined by FERC in response to Bowling Green concerns, were being addressed.
“It’s something I keep close at hand,” the mayor said about the 39 conditions the pipeline must meet. “The questions raised by Bowling Green are being addressed.”
The pipeline construction is under constant monitoring by the Ohio EPA, plus a FERC on-site compliance officer.
The mayor said Fields is keeping a close eye on the Bowling Green water intake, located just upriver from the pipeline river crossing.
“I know that he is monitoring the situation very, very carefully,” he said of Fields.
Aspacher shared the mayor’s relief about the project.
“I was very impressed with the degree of oversight,” he said. “It was clear our concerns were being heard.”
Edwards said he discussed with EPA officials the environmental damage caused elsewhere in Ohio by the Rover pipeline construction.
“The work on this project is being done in an entirely different way,” he said. “They’ve learned a lot from that process.”
Edwards talked about the value of the city holding public forums on the pipeline, taking testimony from experts, and recording questions from citizens.
“We were heard,” he said.
The mayor has been assured that EPA officials will be prepared to respond to problems 24/7.
“They are ready to respond quickly,” he said.
Mayor declares June as LGBT Pride Month in BG.
Also at Monday’s meeting, Edwards presented a proclamation to representatives of the local LGBT community. The mayor said the city should take pride in the city’s long history of inclusiveness. He was joined by members of the city’s Human Relations Commission and Not In Our Town organization.
The resolution declares June in Bowling Green as LGBT Pride Month. The city “celebrates diversity and welcomes all,” Edwards said.
He pointed out the city’s proactive stance – with laws protecting against discrimination, violence and hate speech. “People should be proud of who they are, not what they are,” the mayor said.
Gwen Andrix accepted the resolution.
“I’m really proud of my community,” she said. “I can pretty much go wherever I want, and am accepted for who I am.”
Jerry Anderson is honored by Dick Edwards, Bill Blair, Dave Horger and Clint Corpe.
The mayor also recognized Bowling Green resident Jerry Anderson, who spent 44 years in TV and radio journalism until retiring last Friday. Joining in the recognition were Bill Blair, who worked at WFOB Radio before Anderson, Dave Horger, who worked at the station following him, and Clint Corpe, who works for WBGU Radio now.
In other business at the meeting:
- Council approved the zoning change for property on Sixth Street at Manville Avenue. The property was zoned industrial, and is now residential.
- Planning Director Heather Sayler talked about the recent national Town/Gown national conference, and the upcoming Ohio Town/Gown Summit in Bowling Green.
- Council member Sandy Rowland thanked Municipal Administrator Lori Tretter and other city staff for all the assistance given to the Firefly Nights event last Friday.
