Ohio EPA schedules public meeting on pipeline application

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) recently announced a public meeting in Wooster on Sept. 22 to inform the community about a 401 water quality certification application for a proposed pipeline.

The application, made by Rover Pipeline, would enable a pipeline project to join Ohio’s Marcellus and Utica shale areas to an existing pipeline system, facilitating the transfer of natural gas produced in those areas. Taken as a whole, the project will include 369 miles of pipeline.
 
The 401 water quality certification application relates to the projects potential to affect water quality in streams and wetlands in nearby areas; the certification is a preliminary step for any project that would discharge, dredge or use fill material that will impact waters of the state. If the project is approved, the pipeline cannot violate the state’s water quality standards.
 
The pipeline will potentially affect the following watersheds: Tiffin, Lower Maumee, Cedar-Portage, Sandusky, Upper Ohio, Upper Ohio Wheeling, Little Muskingum-Middle Island, Tuscarawas, Mohican, Walhonding and Wills.
 
The meeting will take place at OARDC’s Fisher Auditorium in Wooster on Sept. 22 at 6 p.m. Members of the public will be allowed submit comments on the pipeline application through oral testimony, which will be equally considered with written public comments. Those interested can submit written comments through Sept. 29 via mail or email.