Location(s)

Important Community Meeting to Discuss Unprecedented Request by NiSource/Columbia Gas

September 16th, 6:30pm - 8:30pm

Background: In 2007 NiSource, the parent company of Columbia Gas outlined their efforts to acquire a 50-year permit from United States Fish and Wildlife Service officials to work on and repair their 16,000+ mile network of natural gas pipelines and storage units without triggering endangered species reviews. This permit seeks to cover a one-mile planning corridor centered over existing natural gas facilities owned by the gas transmission company. Over 3,000 miles of the pipeline is located in Ohio. To view a Service Map of the project go to: http://www.nisource.com/commitment_hcp.asp

The Endangered Species Act requires and approved Habitat Conservation Plan before an Incidental Take Permit is granted. The Incidental Take Permit allows the "taking" of an endangered species because it destroys their habitat.  Please note homeowners within a mile of these facilities may well also feel negative impacts of increased noise, air and water pollution as a result if this permit is approved.

What is incredible about this project is the magnitude and the degree of the"taking" of endangered species by Nisource. Seventy-five known species are documented within the plan while their conservation needs are to be addressed. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is responsible for issuing the Incidental Take Permit for endangered species. Please click to view the Federal Register announcement of Nisouce's Incidental Take Permit application: http://www.epa.gov/EPA-IMPACT/2007/October/Day-11/i20039.htm

Agenda: 

 Buckeye Forest Council, Ohio Environmental Council, and Sierra Club Ohio Chapter are organizing these community information sessions for the purpose of raising awareness about the NiSource request and to alert Ohioans about opportunities for public input.

An opportunity for Ohio Environmental Council to discuss the availability of legal assistance to homeowners impacted by the plan.

Updated information about the REX pipeline, which is crossing the southern part of Ohio as it pertains to the NiSource request.