Submitted by MATTHEW CUNNINGHAM
Environmental Action Group Legacy Adviser
Dear President Mazey and Board of Trustees Members:
While we watch and read news about the Dakota Access Pipeline protests in North Dakota, and the humans protecting their right to access clean and safe water, the issue feels distant to us. After all, Bowling Green is over 1,000 miles away from Standing Rock, North Dakota.
However, the issue of clean water is much closer than we think. The City of Bowling Green is facing an equivalent and genuine threat to the well being of our community. The Nexus natural gas pipeline is set to begin construction in 2017 in our area. In order to stop this dangerous pipeline, we ask for the support of the University.
Bowling Green City Council is currently reviewing a proposed easement for the Nexus Pipeline that will cross through city land adjacent to the water treatment plant (1). The pipeline’s current route is intended to run beneath the Maumee River and within half a mile of the Bowling Green Water Treatment Plant (2). The Bowling Green Water Treatment Plant has the capacity to pump 12 million gallons of water a day and provides safe drinking water to the Bowling Green community (3). Thousands of students and faculty that attend BGSU depend on the water treatment plant for reliable and clean water.
The Nexus Pipeline will our access to clean and safe drinking water in jeopardy. The communities way of life is in danger due to the possibility of leakage and explosions. This is especially pertinent due to the geology of the proposed route. Ohio sits on the edge of the New Madrid Seismic Zone, and at least 200 earthquakes have had epicenters in Ohio since 1776 (4). There is also the Bowling Green Fault that intersects the pipeline route right near the Maumee River (5).
Already, surrounding communities are taking action. The residents of Waterville recently banned pipelines and compressor stations by passing a community bill of rights (6). Waterville has now joined many other communities that are legally and democratically defending their right to clean air and water (6). We hope Bowling Green will join these other communities in protecting our most valuable resources.
However, in order to fight the pipeline, we need the support of our community. At a city council meeting on Nov. 7, citizens spoke up against the pipeline, including current and former students. Furthermore, a peaceful gathering occurred downtown on Nov. 5 where community members, including university faculty and staff, stood in solidarity with those being affected by the Dakota Access Pipeline and the Nexus Pipeline. There will be another city council meeting on Nov. 21 to continue discussion on the pipeline. We hope to see a representative from the University present on Monday to listen to the community members concerns about the pipeline and possibly make a statement on behalf of the University. As is stated in the BGSU Creed,
“I aspire to be an engaged global citizen and leader. I seek to improve my community. I collaborate with my fellow Falcons in changing the world”(7).
As students attending Bowling Green State University, we think it is of paramount importance to protect our water resources, not only for the people that currently live in the area, but for future residents as well, including future students who may be looking to attend the University. As an integral partner in the success of the Bowling Green community, we feel it is imperative that the University uses its powerful voice and influence to oppose the Nexus Pipeline. We sincerely hope the University can and will publicly take a stand for the safety, health and security of the students, faculty, staff, and neighbors that support and serve the institution of Bowling Green State University.
Sincerely,
Daniel Myers, Environmental Action Group President
Neiko Francisco Alvarado, URGE Voter Engagement Intern
Andrew Crowe, Environmental Action Group
Michael Butler, Environmental Action Group Media Director
Eli barber, Environmental Action Group Local Event Coordinator
Olivia Dyleski, Environmental Action Group Treasurer
Gabby Ysassi, Environmental Action Group National Campaign Coordinator
Chrisden Carter, Environmental Action Group Recruitment Coordinator
Diana Thornton, Founder of Green Thumb Society
The members of S.A.V.E at BGSU
Tom Brunner, Student at Bowling Green State university
Kaitlyn Trent, Master of Public Administration Student Association President
Rachael Sherry, Bowling Green State University Alumni
Jessica Echales, Bowling Green State University Alumni, former President of EAG
Matthew Cunningham, Environmental Action Group Legacy Advisor
Resources:
http://bgindependentmedia.org/bg-urged-to-deny-pipeline-easement-request/
http://www.nexusgastransmission.com/content/project-overview-map
http://www.bgohio.org/departments/utilities-department/water-treatment-plant/renovations-to-plant/
http://geosurvey.ohiodnr.gov/earthquakes-ohioseis/seismic-risk-in-ohio
http://midwestenergynews.com/2015/06/02/report-finds-fault-with-ohio-pipeline-routes-for-fracked-gas/
http://celdf.org/2016/11/pr-waterville-residents-ban-pipelines-compressor-stations-adopting-community-bill-rights/
Bowling Green State University Creed. http://www.bgsu.edu/creed.html
