County to post info on pipeline easements & negotiations

GARNER – Landowners in Hancock County with property impacted by the proposed Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline will be able to access a summary of frequently asked questions about pipeline easements and negotiations.

Summit Carbon Solutions is in the process of negotiating easements with landowners for the company’s proposed multi-state carbon capture pipeline. The pipeline route includes 34 miles through Hancock County. The project awaits approval from the Iowa Utilities Board for a permit.

County engineer Jeremy Purvis together a FAQ document, which was presented at the April 25 board of supervisors meeting.

Purvis said earlier maps of the proposed route through Hancock County didn’t show the pipeline size. The nearly 34 miles of carbon sequestration pipeline ranges from 8-inch, 12-inche to 16-inch diameter pipe.

“This map shows the sizes. I think that’s a good idea,” he said.

The document discusses pipeline easement terms including: pipeline location, depth, construction timeline, ag land restoration, drainage, fencing; pipeline pressure, substances permitted in the pipeline, indemnification, access to pipelines for inspection, landowner’s rights of use, amendments to easements, payment provisions and other topics.

It discusses taxation on pipeline easement payments and stresses the importance of professional assistance as an attorney or other professional when negotiating a pipeline easement.

Supervisor Jerry Tlach thanked Purvis for putting the FAQ information together.

 “It was really interesting when I read through it,” Supervisor Sis Greiman remarked. “We asked [Snyder & Associates] a lot of questions but there were things that I didn’t think about.”

Hancock County is utilizing oversight and inspection services of Snyder & Associates, Inc., Fort Dodge during construction of the pipeline.

Greiman encouraged putting the information on the county website.

She noted that negotiating pipeline easements is new territory.

 “It is rather difficult to know what to expect,” she said.

Purvis plans to post FAQ information on the home page of the county website: www.hancockcountyia.org. Copies will also be available at the County Engineer’s office at the courthouse. 

Landowners may also get information about the project on websites which will also be listed on the county website.