Kathy Holdefer
Mingo
The Des Moines Register recently reported that a majority of Iowans supportthe proposed Bakken crude oil pipeline that would be buried under valuable Iowa farmlands. If you ask those who’re paying attention, you get a very different story.
Neighbors gathered last Saturdayin Mingo to learn how the pipeline could affect our land, livelihoods, and communities. Every attendee — including Rep. Dan Kelley, who is carefully studying the issue, and Ed Fallon, who is walking the nearly 400-mileroute — expressed outrage over potential damage to cropland and water, as wellas to the environment.
More upsetting — reports of pipeline company salespeople pressuring landowners to settle on payments for easements, before the IUB has even held a public hearingon the topic. Folks are being told that “it’s a done deal,” and they’ll get more now than if they wait for eminent domain to go into effect. Are they buying complacency?
It’s not a done deal! Today, in a quick check of IUB filings for this proposal, I calculated roughly 60 percent object to the project. Manymore object but have yet to take action. Get on record with the IUB, lettingthem know your feelings. Go to iub.iowa.gov, find docket HLP-2014-0001, and follow the steps to express your views.