Pipeline Benefits and Losses
- The
proposed, Islander East natural gas pipeline, would follow an existing
Algonquin pipeline in North Branford until it intersects with the
Branford Steam Railroad tracks, just south of Route 80. From there, the
pipeline would roughly paralel the railroad tracks for four miles until
it reaches Long Island Sound.
- The
pipeline would be safely buried underground and at least 25 feet away
from the nearest track rail. For added safety Islander East has chosen
to dig the trenches deeper and use a thicker, stronger grade of pipe
than required by Department of Transportation regulations.
- The
proposed route through Branford would require thirty property owners to
grant a permanent easement for the pipeline right of way, to Islander
East. The affected parcels would remain the property of the original
owners. However, Islander East would give them a check, based on fair
market value, to compensate them for their loss of use.
- Three
of the properties belong to the Branford Land Trust and pose a special
problem. The mission of the Branford Land Trust is to "preserve open
space in Branford and to promote our community's appreciation of
Branford's diverse natural features". It is impossible, in the short
term, to preserve land and run a pipeline through it.
- Islander
East responded to the Land Trust's concerns by conducting a existing
plant inventory on the two properties. They compiled an extensive
construction, restoration and invasive species control plan and have
promised to monitor the Land Trust parcels for three years after the
pipeline is built. This is not a perfect solution but there may be a
silver lining to this cloud.
- We believe
that the proposed pipeline offers an opportunity for the Branford Land
Trust to extend their holdings and fufill the latter half of their
mission statement. Many of the properties affected will lose only a
narrow ribbon of land that abuts the railroad right of way. The
property owners, with an Islander East compensation check in hand and
the promise of a tax deduction for a charitable contribution, might be
quite responsive to donating their affected land and perhaps a little
more, to the Branford Land Trust.
- As
majority or sole owner of the pipeline right of way, the Branford Land
Trust could promote our community's appreciation of Branford's diverse
natural features by working with other civic groups to establish a four
mile long linear park and nature trail. In time, this trail could
connect to other properties held in the public trust and showcase the
abundant natural beauty of Branford.
- A
pipeline nature trail could be modeled after the popular Trolley nature
trail from Juniper to Pleasant Point. Track safety concerns were
addressed and Tilcon responded with good corporate citizenship. A
carefully designed trail was successfully built across sensitive
wetlands for everyone to enjoy. Many other uses of the pipeline right
of way are possible. The ideas are limited only by the by the
imaginations of the people involved.
- Contact
the Branford Land Trust and let them know that you support a linear
park for Branford. Call them at (203) 483-5263. Write to them at:
Branford Land Trust
P O Box 254
Branford, CT 06405
Email :
info@branfordlandtrust.org
- We
have received many positive comments and emails regarding our proposal
for a four mile linear park. Even though many members of the Branford
Land Trust privately support a four mile linear park along the pipeline
route, their official current position, is against the park. As the
pipeline proposal moves along the approval process we hope the Branford
Land Trust's position changes to one more aligned with their mission
statement "to promote our community's appreciation of Branford's
diverse natural features".
- Click on the underlined text to visit Benefits and Losses - Page 3, where you can read a series of Letters to the Editor of the Branford Review, between BranfordPipeline.com and representitives of the Branford Land Trust.
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