Pipeline path raises concerns
Landowners, developers worry about property values

By Josh Duke and Aldrich M. Tan
josh.duke@indystar.com

June 30, 2006

A major natural gas pipeline that would extend from Colorado and Wyoming to Ohio has Hendricks and Morgan counties in its path.

The Rockies Express East Pipeline would miss heavily populated areas in both counties, coming closest to Mooresville. Preliminary site plans show it passing through an industrial park on the south edge of Mooresville.

Mooresville Town Council President Tom Warthen said he learned of the company's intentions about two weeks ago when a man from Rockies Express called seeking permission to survey a 4-acre parcel of land owned by the town near TOA (USA) Corp.

Town officials hoped to use that land for future needs, such as a fire station, Warthen said.

"We really don't want to give up our building rights there, but at the same time we don't want to stand in the way of something that could make natural gas prices more affordable," he said. "I try to go into everything with an open mind."

A public information hearing was scheduled for Thursday in Plainfield. A similar hearing was held Wednesday in Johnson County, where the pipeline has aroused concern from residents worried about safety and the pipeline's effect on property values.

Construction of the east end of the pipeline would begin in early spring 2008, following approval by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

The pipeline's proposed path would enter Hendricks County north of U.S. 36 and then veer to the south about four miles west of Danville and pass west of Clayton.

John Hall, owner of Deer Creek Golf Club in Clayton, isn't happy about the pipeline's proposed path. The route doesn't appear to enter his golf course, but it would go through land Hall owns on both sides of the course.

"Most of our property we consider having developmental potential," Hall said. "So it would affect the value. I can't imagine too many people being in favor of it, but it looks like there is not much we can do about it legally."

The company will consider impacts on the environment and landowners as the project moves forward. The company's Web site says eminent domain may be used to acquire land if it can't settle on a price with landowners. Eminent domain is often used by governments to acquire land for roads, trails or other uses deemed for the public good.

The pipeline's proposed path enters Johnson County north of Bargersville and cuts between Whiteland and Franklin before crossing into Shelby County.

The issue has drawn interest from property owners and developers worried that land values would slide.

Franklin city engineer Mike Buening said pipeline company representatives seemed receptive to diverting the pipeline farther south, away from areas of Johnson County with potential for development.

The proposed pipeline will transport natural gas from the Rocky Mountain region to suppliers and consumers in the Midwest and East Coast, said Rick Rainey, a spokesman for Kinder Morgan, the company building it.

The 42-inch-diameter pipeline cuts beneath private property and would be 30 to 36 inches deep. The company will pay owners for use of an easement.

For safety reasons, property owners would not be allowed to build permanent structures within 25 feet of the pipeline, Rainey said, but they could farm over it.

Call Star reporter Josh Duke at (317) 444-2810.