MARINER EAST 2 PIPELINE GOING THROUGH LAKE RAYSTOWN

By: Luke Benzinger

For my first blog post, I have chosen the mariner east 2 pipeline that will be running west to east in the state of Pennsylvania. The reason for me choosing this topic is because I have a camp in the Raystown area that could be affected by this pipeline.

WHAT IS THIS PIPLINE?

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The gas company, Sunoco, has been planning a pipeline that would go straight across Pennsylvania. Sunoco logistics says, “Our Mariner East project transports NGLs from the Marcellus and Utica Shales areas in Western Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Eastern Ohio to destinations in Pennsylvania, including our Marcus Hook Industrial Complex on the Delaware River, where they are processed, stored and distributed to local, domestic and waterborne markets” (1).  Sunoco has already started work in the Raystown area due to a compressed schedule, so that Raystown’s summer economy is not affected by the work. They are also battling with the Indiana bat mating season. The one thing that is a problem for the pipeline company is that they have to drill underneath of the lake in order to follow their projected path. However, this pipeline would be running next to the pre-existing pipelines already drilled beneath Lake Raystown.

 

ECONOMIC PROBLEMS DUE TO PIPELINE

During the summer, Raystown lake acquires most of its profits due to the influx of vacationers, boaters, bikers, and fisherman. The pipeline could negatively affect this due to the cutting of trees that lead to the idea that the area isn’t as pristine as it used to be. Due to the removal of the trees some birds also may not frequent the area that they used to, so birders could be affected by this pipeline as well. The continuous hillsides of the lake will also be disrupted by the pipeline, therefore making the view less pleasing. Raystown is known as the largest landlocked lake in Pennsylvania, which would be a shame to mark a place such as this. The 7-Points Marina, which is where the pipeline is projected to be laid, is a major place of economic growth in Huntingdon County.

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS DUE TO PIPELINE

The pipeline could cause a host of problems including hindering the Indiana Bat mating season or even a possible gas leak into the lake itself. Even though they are planning for the project to be paused during the breeding season so that they don’t interfere with the population. Another problem with this pipeline is that they have to take out trees to provide future access to the pipeline for inspection. Taking out these trees would then create a lack of habitat for other species. Also, there would most likely be a hard edge which is not very appealing at a habitat management standpoint. The hard edge limits the regeneration and species found in a typical hardwood forest, which then creates a lack of biodiversity in that area. Finally, if there is an underground leak below the lake there could be a massive die off in the fish species that are stocked for sport fishing purposes. These fish play a major part in the recreation at Lake Raystown.

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CONCLUSION

This pipeline could cause major damage to, not only, the economy of the surrounding area, but also to the local wildlife populations. To me this pipeline seems to be more of a threat than a help due to all the damage and possibilities of massive problems. As an avid user of Lake Raystown I would prefer to see the area left alone as it has been. This is one of my favorite lakes to fish and if a spill or leak were to happen, I personally know some charter guides that would be out of a business. Therefore, I believe this pipeline should not be running underneath Lake Raystown.

WORKS CITED

Pictures

1: http://www.naturalgasintel.com/articles/106029-another-pennsylvania-court-rules-against-landowners-challenging-mariner-east-pipeline

2: Luke Benzinger

3: Luke Benzinger

Information

1: Sunoco Logistics, Natural Gas Liquids (NGLs) Segment,

http://www.sunocologistics.com/Customers/Business-Lines/Natural-Gas-Liquids-NGLs-Segment/257/, 2 March 2017