By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
MONTGOMERY — A public hearing on Williams-Transco’s request to dig a trench to install the final segment of the Skillman Loop natural gas pipeline was under way as The Princeton Packet went to press Thursday night.
The state Department of Environmental Protection meeting was being held at the Upper Middle School at 375 Burnt Hill Road. There is a 15-day written comment period following the public hearing, which means final action on Williams-Transco’s request will not be made for several weeks.
Williams-Transco wants to install 1,200 feet of pipeline — the final segment of the Leidy Southeast Expansion Project-Skillman Loop — by digging a trench on the north side of Cherry Valley Road, near Cherry Hill Road.
Williams-Transco ran into a snag as it tried to install the last section of pipeline underground, using a hydraulic ram to tunnel through the area. It hit some dense rock and could not get through, which led to the request for an open trench installation.
The Princeton Council, meanwhile, came out earlier this week against the company’s request for a new Flood Hazard Area Individual Permit and a major modification to its existing Freshwater Wetlands Individual Permit from the state Department of Environmental Protection.
A resolution adopted by the Princeton Council at its Feb. 8 meeting stated that it “is deeply concerned about the newly requested permits because the area in question contains ‘exceptional wetlands,’ and digging a trench to install the gas pipeline would severely damage the environment, increase the impact of future flooding throughout the watershed including Princeton, and decrease the watershed water quality including that of Princeton.”
“Even with any proposed mitigation, the protection of wetlands, water supplies and resources is better accomplished by prevention of contamination and environmental degradation,” rather than attempting to clean it up and restore it later, the resolution said.
The Princeton Council resolution noted that “Transco has also caused noise pollution and violated Princeton and Montgomery’s rules on permitted hours of operation” — a reference to the company’s decision to work around the clock Dec. 12, using a hydraulic ram. Work is limited to 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays, and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays. The noise could be heard in Princeton.
Last week, Montgomery Township Committee hired the Kleinfelder Group Inc. to provide environmental impact assessment services, to attend the public hearing and to be an observer in the field. The consultant will be paid up to $25,000 for its work.
The Kleinfelder Group will review the situation and offer recommendations to Montgomery Township officials. The township has concerns about the animal species on the property and whether the soil will be properly compacted after the work is finished.
Montgomery Township may request certain conditions to be placed on Williams-Transco, if the permit applications are approved by the state Department of Environmental Protection.
Williams-Transco is installing a 42-inch natural gas pipeline, replacing the existing 36-inch pipeline that company officials have said is inadequate to meet demand.
The new section of pipe being installed in Montgomery is part of a 30-mile loop that passes through Mercer, Hunterdon and Somerset counties.
