By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bowling Green Mayor Dick Edwards finally got confirmation Tuesday that the Ohio EPA is at least listening to the city’s concerns about the Nexus pipeline that is proposed to run 700 feet from the city’s water treatment plant.
During a conference call with Ohio EPA Director Craig Butler and Northwest Ohio Division EPA Chief Shannon Nabors, the issues raised by the city were discussed. Those same concerns also appeared in the “Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity” issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission last month.
“In much the same manner as the FERC document, today’s session with the Ohio EPA is in my view another significant indication that the issues raised by Bowling Green have been heard in both Columbus and Washington,” Edwards reported to City Council on Tuesday evening. “Today we heard from the Ohio EPA that their experts have carefully and methodically examined the environmental conditions of this construction and were reminded of the Ohio EPA’s commitment to the state’s waterways and environmental assets.”
One of the mayor’s concerns was the monitoring of the pipeline construction.
“All significant concerns raised by Bowling Green have been or are being addressed including specific and aggressive plans by both FERC and the Ohio EPA to develop site specific plans for monitoring the construction of the proposed pipeline,” he said.
Lessons have been learned from the Rover pipeline construction, in which hazardous materials have been spilled along the route in Ohio.
FERC will reportedly have field staff in Ohio for the Nexus project. And the Ohio EPA, in conjunction with its scientific and technical staff as well as with geologists with the Ohio Geological Survey, will monitor the actual construction.
In other business at the council meeting, Municipal Administrator Lori Tretter discussed the city’s loss of the cable franchise fee.The state ended cable franchises in 2007, however the city had a franchise agreement that allowed the city to continue collecting the fee until this year.
So council heard the first reading of an ordinance establishing a video service provider fee to be paid by any company offering video service in the city.
Also at Tuesday’s meeting, council was reminded of:
– City Park Veterans’ Memorial rededication service on Sept. 11 at 11 a.m.
– Community Action Plan draft open for public viewing on Sept. 12 from 5 to 7 p.m., in Wood County District Public Library.
– “Immigration Misunderstood: Illegal or Undocumentable” discussion on Sept. 14, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., in Wood County District Public Library.
– Several street closures are planned over the weekend for Black Swamp Arts Festival. Handicapped parking will be available at the City Building parking lot.
– Comments are still be sought about the plans for the new building at City Park replacing the Veterans Building and Girl Scout Building. The building plans are on display at the community center.
