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Feb
16
Written by:
news editor
2/16/2011 1:00 AM
Columbia Gas Transmission will be working in Mohican-Memorial State Forest and Mohican State Park beginning February 22 and continuing into March, according to ODNR.
COLUMBUS, OH– In conjunction with its efforts to minimize the impact of gas well and transmission line maintenance clearing, Columbia Gas Transmission will be working in Mohican-Memorial State Forest and Mohican State Park beginning February 22 and continuing into March, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
Maintenance work will include the removal of trees around 11 gas storage wells and 2.9 miles of storage lines to ensure public safety and the reliable delivery of natural gas.
“State forest staff will work closely with Columbia Gas personnel while the clearing maintenance is underway,” said Robert Boyles, state forester and chief of the ODNR Division of Forestry. “Some sections of recreational trails may be temporarily closed for public safety to facilitate tree removal.”
Trail closure bulletins will be posted on the Ohio Division of Forestry Web site at www.ohiodnr.com/forestry on the Mohican-Memorial State Forest page.
Columbia operates a total of 56 gas storage wells and maintains 13 miles of underground natural gas transmission lines within the state forest and park. Most of the transmission line right of way will be cleared to 30 feet, and 0.4 mile cleared to a 50-foot width. Many of these rights of way have already received some degree of clearing.
In accordance with agreements signed in 2007 and 2008 by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and Columbia, a unit of NiSource Gas Transmission & Storage (NGT&S), most clearing around these gas storage wells is limited to 60 feet. In addition, Columbia and ODNR agree to the removal of trees greater than 10 inches in diameter in a zone 60 to 120 feet from each well.
“At NGT&S, our primary responsibility is to ensure public safety through responsible operations,” said Jen Browne, NGT&S communications specialist. “We are committed to limiting the potential impact within the Mohican-Memorial State Forest, while at the same time allowing for the safe operations of our facilities, quietly carrying domestic, affordable and clean-burning natural gas across the eastern United States.”
As subsidiaries of NiSource Inc., the NiSource Gas Transmission & Storage companies include Columbia Gas Transmission, Columbia Gulf Transmission, Hardy Storage, Millennium Pipeline and Crossroads Pipeline. Combined, the companies operate about 15,000 miles of interstate natural gas pipeline and 37 storage fields, delivering over 1 trillion cubic feet of natural gas per year. For more information about NiSource Gas Transmission & Storage, please visit www.ngts.com.
Ohio grows more acres of trees than corn and soybeans combined. The ODNR Division of Forestry works to promote the wise use and sustainable management of Ohio’s public and private woodlands. To learn more about Ohio’s woodlands, visit www.ohiodnr.com/forestry.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR Web site at www.ohiodnr.com.
For more information, contact:
Tim Humphrey, ODNR Division of Forestry
419. 938. 6222, ext. 10 or 614. 439. 6978
Heidi Hetzel-Evans, ODNR Media Relations
614. 265. 6860
Jen Browne, NGT&S Communications Specialist
713. 331. 7474
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