Feds Send Pipeline Company to U.S. Fish and Wildlife over Wetland Destruction

CORTLANDT, NY — Fallout from Algonquin's first failure to pull its new, expanded pipeline under the Hudson River from Stony Point to Buchanan continues.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission told Algonquin in a letter Thursday that it must connect with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to discuss why it dug up a Cortlandt wetland without permission and what restoration work it will do.

The pullback work has been difficult for the Algonquin Pipeline expansion project. In the first attempt, the drill stem disconnected from the pipe Spectra Energy's contractors were trying to pull through the bore hole under the Hudson River.

Workers were concerned that if the pipe was not moved immediately it could get permanently stuck or the bore hole could be lost — so they went to work on it without getting permissions from their FERC monitor or anyone else, hammering away with such abandon that 18 nearby households had to be relocated for the duration, and digging up the wetland under the erroneous belief that the drill stem problem was underneath.

FERC's letter to Algonquin says:

Thank you for your timely response to our September 9, 2016 letter regarding a
violation of the Commission’s Order that occurred during construction of the Algonquin
Incremental Market Project at the Hudson River horizontal direction drill crossing.
While Algonquin has provided an explanation regarding the events that led to the
disturbance of a forested wetland, and has developed revised protocols to prevent
reoccurrence of communication failure, additional agency consultation is required. We
acknowledge Algonquin’s efforts to coordinate with the US Army Corps of Engineers,
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), and New York
State Historic Preservation Officer. We note, however, that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service (FWS) has not been consulted about tree clearing outside of the allowed timing
window or regarding the potential presence of suitable bog turtle habitat. Therefore,
within seven days of the date of this letter Algonquin should consult with the FWS
regarding this violation and provide a supplemental response on its consultation with the
FWS.

Spectra Energy’s plan to enlarge the pipeline includes three projects so far.

The AIM Project involves the construction, installation, operation, and maintenance of 37.4 miles of pipeline and related facilities in New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. Most of the pipeline installation will replace existing pipeline with larger diameter pipeline.
Atlantic Bridge includes replacement of another 10.9 miles of existing pipeline with new larger diameter pipe.
Access Northeast includes the expansion of approximately 125 miles of the existing Algonquin pipeline system, plus new lines and facilities, including a new Liquified Natural Gas Storage Facility in Acushnet, Massachusetts.

SEE:

• Algonquin Apologizes to Feds for Digging Up Cortlandt Wetland
• Noise Nightmare as Algonquin Pipeline Woes Lead to 24-hour Work
• Pipeline Protesters Take to Kayaks on the Hudson River

PHOTO: The pipeline work through Cortlandt/ Photo credit Mey Marple