Licking County Pipeline: Environment & Water Protection

Stewardship in Licking County

The Energy Cooperative is committed to operating in a way that protects our members, our communities, and the environment we share. The Licking County Pipeline is being designed and routed with environmental stewardship in mind.

We work with qualified environmental professionals to identify sensitive resources and develop plans to avoid, minimize or mitigate impacts.

Preliminary reviews indicate the project is not expected to have significant impacts on:

Drinking water sources
Wellhead protection areas
Sole-source aquifers
Groundwater resources

Comprehensive environmental studies will be completed to evaluate potential impacts on surface water and groundwater. Construction methods at streams, rivers and wetlands – including the use of trenchless installation methods – will be chosen to protect water quality wherever practical.

All work will be carried out in accordance with applicable permits and regulatory requirements.

Much of the proposed route crosses agricultural lands that support local families and businesses. We take that responsibility seriously.

Where agricultural land is affected, we expect to:

Segregate and restore topsoil where appropriate
Repair drainage features that are impacted during construction
Coordinate with landowners on timing and access to reduce conflicts with planting and harvest cycles
Monitor restored agricultural areas and respond to reasonable requests related to settlement or drainage

Long term, we manage the right-of-way to maintain safe access while allowing compatible farming and grazing activities where appropriate.

To safely construct and maintain the pipeline, some trees and vegetation will need to be cleared within the right-of-way. We will:

Limit clearing to what is necessary for safe construction and operation
Stabilize disturbed areas to prevent erosion
Manage vegetation on the right-of-way over time to keep the corridor accessible and safe

In some cases, we may work with landowners to discuss opportunities for re-planting or habitat improvement outside of the permanent right-of-way.

The Licking County Pipeline is subject to review by several agencies, including the Ohio Power Siting Board and other state and local authorities. The project will be designed and constructed in accordance with applicable rules, regulations, and conditions established through that process.

As the project advances, we will add links to key regulatory documents on our Regulatory & Documents page.

Licking County Pipeline: Environment & Water Protection

Water Resources

Land, Soil & Agriculture

Trees & Vegetation

Regulatory Compliance