Legacy information: this web page was
created August 1999 for the Gurley community
Gurley is against the Colonial Pipeline because the Atlanta-based company has had three large spills during the past two decades. City of Huntsville was pushing hard to force the passage of colonial pipeline in East Madison (Gurley's area). Victory for the citizens of this area thanks to Lynne Leach, Albert Hall, Jerry Craig, Lowell Barron, Robert Sentell, former Mayor of Gurley Mr. T. David Freeman, and Peaches Thompson. Thanks for the quality of our ecological and environmental local life.
Stop Colonial Pipeline Fund: The Alabama Environmental Council has set
up a legal fund to raise money so
we can hire Frank Fly, an attorney who has succesfully fought Colonial and won. You can
send the checks to Lynn Leach 307 Shooting Star Tr. Gurley AL 35748
Note: US Senator Richard Shelby has never been present at any public meetings related to Colonial Pipeline in the Gurley area.
To
School & children's safety
Highway safety, congestion, and condition
Property values decreased by 30% to 40%
Colonial Pipe line has gone back to the drawing board with their
proposed route through eastern Madison county, due to public outcry against it. This
represents a victory for the citizens of this area. The downside is the new route may
go through Wheeler Wildlife refuge.
The time to act is now.
Please write a letter to your senators and congressmen stating we do not want the
pipeline anywhere in our area. Two existing lines are in place that go through Chattanooga
to Nashville. Let them re-work those lines instead. The
truth is Nashville is driving this expansion. Yes, the
Huntsville airport would like a hub and the city of Huntsville would receive 20% of the
fuel but the average citizen will derive no benefits at the pump and the added growth
would create more air pollution.
If you remember, Huntsville was out of compliance on ozone this summer
several days. EPA will enforce new guidelines by early 2001 that would really stifle
growth. It's time we say we want managed growth and the
quality of our lives of the citizens are more important than corporate profits.
Port of Huntsville: It's been pretty hush, hush but the mayor and the city and some big
developers are looking at a port and barge terminal on the Tenn. River. There are
about six locations they have been studying. One would need a corridor through Wheeler,
the other would be in close proximity to Blackwell swamp. A port and barge terminal is not
what Huntsville needs. It will create the potential for more industrial pollutants in the
water, the dredging operations could stir up the DDT buried near Triana ( another site)
and the planned industrial park would attract heavy industry. Another site is close to
Ditto Landing. How will the the recreational opportunities on the river be impacted by a
port and barge terminal. What about endangered species and more habitat loss? It's time
for you to start asking for information and weighing in against it now while they are
still in the search stage.
Solar update- It looks like a location has been found for the first wind
turbine to be erected in the southeast. It will be located on Look out mountain in GA.
Steve Smith of TVERC spoke to our group last month about the progress being made in this
direction. For those of you who missed the meeting, he spoke about Solar Energy as well as
other green energies on the grid for you to be able to purchase by April 2000, Hog farm
update-Please mark your calenders for Dec. 11, the Sand Mountain Concerned Citizens will
host a public forum on Public health concerns of confined aminal feeding operations. It
will be located at North Al
State college. more info later...
WTO-World Trade organization will be meeting in Seattle Washington. We need to get our
letters out because the U.S. is looking to make it easier for imported wood products to
come into our country. This will speed up the process of deforestation around the world.
Please e-mail antonia@igc.org for more info about
this.
Hike with the Sierra club- On Nov.6th meet at the Landtrust parking lot. The hike is
one of the natural wonders designated by the AEC. We will hike the Railroad bed road
trail. It's an easy hike and it would give us a chance to meet some fellow
environmentalist.
Lynne Leach
Certain oil spills have proven to be watershed events in the evolution of EPA's oil program, and the nation's emergency response infrastructure. Others provide valuable lessons that teach responders which parts of the system are working effectively, and how other parts can be improved. Several of these significant oil spills are listed and profiled here. We will extend this list over time to include other relevant spills. If you know of a spill that highlights the effectiveness of the system, or that demonstrates where the system needs improvement, please let us know. We will review your suggestion and the available information on the spill to determine whether it should be included here.
These reports describe significant environmental incidents reported to and tracked by
the National
Response Center. They reflect both new incidents and follow-up information describing
actions taken for
previously reported events. The NRC publishes Incident Summary Reports periodically upon
receipt of
documentary information from the Federal On-Scene Coordinator.
| Occurrence Date: | 10 February |
| Location: | Knoxville, TN |
| Source: | 10 Inch Pipeline |
| Material: | High Sulpher Diesel Fuel |
| Severity: | Major |
| Quantity Discharged: | 2,000 Barrels |
| Quantity in Water: | 2.000 Barrels |
| Body of Water Affected: | Tennessee River |
| Federal On-Scene Coordinator: | EPA REGION IV |
Folks, there are strong rumors that Colonial Pipeline will make some kind of
major announcement the 1st of the week. The Colonial board of directors will meet
either this weekend or Monday or Tuesday am. The 2 most probable options are that
they are reconsidering all their options or that they will propose a new route to the west
of the city. The net effect of either of these statements will
be that some people will lose interest and that money contributions will be slowed.
We all need to remain aware that the Pipeline company has spent large sums of money on
survey work, land options for the terminal sites, and for legal work for the easement
agreements, most of which are already prepared.
The route through eastern Madison County remains the shortest, cheapest
route for the pipeline. The tariff petition to FERC is based on the eastern
route. Most of Colonial's prep work for the eastern route has been done.
If they come this way they will be able to come very quickly. Unless the Colonial Pipeline
Company takes concrete steps such as withdrawing or modifying their FERC petition and
fully disclosing what their new proposal is we all need to continue to press the issue.
Political pressure on our elected leaders at the high state and federal level is still our
best hope to make Colonial withdraw from our area. US
Senator Jeff Sessions has sent a letter of concern to FERC as has Bud
Cramer. US Senator Shelby has not made his position
clear. If you have not called or written your state and
federal officials you need to do so now. If you have already contacted them do it again.
Please continue to do your research on this situation. We have received some good
and very useful info. Keep it coming!
We have found several good legal and FERC options that may be used to stop the pipeline.
We will put these on hold until after the Colonial announcement.
I suggest that we all begin to collect e-mail addresses for our friends and neighbors that
are concerned about the pipeline. Forward any info received to everyone on your
list. This "chain e-mail" will be the quickest way to get the word out to
everyone. In addition call 2 friends who are
concerned but do not have e-mail.
Our next immediate goals will be to fully involve the eastern
parts of Huntsville which is a area that can provide a tremendous opposition base for us.
Several small organizational meetings are slated for parts of the county. Tennessee
is organizing themselves nicely. Alabama to the south of us remains
dormant. We need to work on that.
Another good site is www.dnj.com
go to local then search type in colonial pipeline. You will find that Colonial
has no Murfreesboro terminal right now.
Please send your contributions to MPACT 316 Brock Rd. Brownsboro, Al 35741.
Funds will be audited by a Certified Public Accountant.
I would urge all citizens concerned about the Colonial Pipeline project to send a
letter to Senator Shelby, Senator Sessions and Ruben Hernandez with the Army Corp of
Engineers demanding a full Environmental Impact Statement be done for this project. Under
the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), a project meets this strict
environmental process when the proposed action is federal, is controversial, and has a
significant environmental impact. The project is federal in that the Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the Dept. of Transportation (DOT)
must approve it. The second requirement is obvious when over 2,000 people have come out
vocally against it and the third because it crosses the Flint River as well as wetlands
and minor streams. In the letter please add Colonial has the worst
environmental record and for them to be allowed to develop there pipeline and terminal
would put our citizens public safety and health at risk.
Ask all three to respond to you with their opinion on this issue.
Sample letter to Senators or Army Corp of Engr.
Dear _____:
I am writing you today because of my concern over Colonial Gas Company's proposed gas
pipeline and tank farm to be located in Madison County. Colonial has the worst
environmental safety record of all the companies in this business. Their gross
mismanagement has caused gas ruptures and spills all across the nation. In February of
1999 they spilled 84,000 gallons of diesel fuel into the Tenn. River in Knoxville. They
have at least two Superfund sites they are responsible for. They have pled guilty time and
again to criminal charges from New Jersey to Louisiana. Currently the EPA is investigating
them over a new undisclosed spill. The route of this pipeline would cross the Flint River
at least four times. This river is a sensitive watershed that would never recover if a
spill occurred there. Endangered gray bats have been found in a cave in close proximity to
the route. A full EIS should be done before be required before this project is allowed to
proceed.
Another equally important concern is the safety and health of this densely populated rural
area. The volunteer fire departments are unequipped to handle an emergency rupture of the
pipeline or a fire at the tank farm.
As a taxpayer, I believe Colonial should be denied the 40% tariff increase they are asking
FERC to agree to because we should not have to pay for their pipeline expansion.
What is your stand on this issue as our senator, (congressman)?
Sincerely,
Senator Richard Shelby
110 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington,D.C. 20510
Senator Jeff Sessions
495 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C.
Mr. Ruben Hernandez
Army Corp. of Engineers
P.O. Box1070
Nashville, TN 372002-1070
Folks,
(After the Owens Crossroads Pipeline Meeting, Thursday 9 Sept 1999 at the OXR elementary school)
I suggest we write and e-mail these people. Our best hope at the present time is to
require an environmental impact study.
Steve Belcher
LTG Joe N. Ballard
HQ, US Army Corps of Engineers
20 Massachusetts Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20314-1000
Phone number: 202-761-0001
Fax number: 202-761-1683
E-mail address: Joe.N.Ballard.Ltg
Head of the Nashville District:
LTC Pete Taylor
US Army Corps of Engineers, Nashville District
ATTN: CELRN-EXEC
P.O. Box 1070
Nashville, TN 37702-1070
Phone: 615-736-5626
E-mail: Pete.F.Taylor.Ltc
Public Affairs Office:
Ed Evans, Public Affairs Officer
US Army Corps of Engineers, Nashville District
ATTN: CELRN-PA
P.O. Box 1070
Nashville, TN 37702-1070
Phone: 615-736-7161> E-mail: Eward.M.Evans
Project Manager's office symbol:
CELRN-CO-F
E-mail: Jose.R.Hernandez
Information offered by Joy Byrnes
Hi folks,
Send a letter to Ruben Hernandez c/o U.S. Army Corp of Engrs.P.O.Box 1070 Nashville, TN
37202-1070.
In the letter, ask to be put on a mailing list so you can be informed when Colonial
Pipeline has applied for a permit from them.
We should also voice our opposition to the pipeline as well.
By Jim Mahanes & submitted by Robert and Teri Hoke
Thanks to Robert and Teri Hoke (Teri Nolan) Buchanan Community (near Murfreesboro,
TN)
Colonial Pipeline Home Page
For more information go to: United States
Environmental Protection Agency's Homepage
<<All it takes for a bad thing to happen is for good people to do nothing!>>
We are so glad to find that there is a wider action group against Colonial
Pipeline...
Submitted by: qofcoupons@aol.com
Seattle Times Eastside bureau
Tuesday, August 31, 1999
Oil Production and Environmental Damage
The Huntsville Times
Post your opinion on this story in the Huntsville Forum
From The Huntsville Times
2,000 rally to protest
pipeline, terminal
Politicians promise to join opposition
Company
to settle over oil spill
Oil
Spill Intelligence Report
S.C.
spill 03/02/99
New England Gas Association
Chemicals In The
Community
SOLEX
ROBOTICS is an advanced robotics technology company building rugged platforms for in-service
tank inspection and maintenance activities for the petroleum and chemical refining
industries.
Colonial Pipeline FrancisVille Baton Rouge
Hello, As you all have probably read, the Redstone Arsenal has finally admitted to a
fraction of it's stored toxic waste leaching into the ground water near the English
Village subdivision. As you may also know, Ron has been trying to get some straight
answers about numerous other chemicals that are stored there. He has not had any success
in getting answers or in enticing the newspaper to do some investigative reporting. The
response is always, "it's a super fund site". Which we believe means "it's
being taken care of". Well, I guess it is not being taken care of. The chemicals that
are currently leaching into the groundwater have been in "temporary" storage on
the Arsenal since 1942!!!!!
There is a meeting being held on Tuesday night Sept. 21st at 8:00pm at Chaffee School.
Both Ron and I are planning to attend and hope to see you there. Spread the word, it's
time for the handful of environmentalists in Huntsville to encourage others to come forth
and start cleaning up this dirty little city we live in.
Information submitted by Lynn Leach
President of the Alabama Environmental Association
Information sent by Ellen & Steve Belcher
President of MPAC
Archived Legacy Site created / maintained by: ContactEZ.net Dominique G. Schneider.