FERC requires Sabal Trail report mixing of Randy Dowdy’s subsoil and topsoil

Bad news doubled for the little pipeline that cried wolf: FERC did not file any certificates today for Sabal Trail, and Brooks County farmer Randy Dowdy is vindicated with a letter from FERC demanding a plan from Sabal Trail “within 20 days” (emphasis in the original) for “for investigating the actual extent of the topsoil and subsoil mixing on the Dowdy and Robinson properties and the reported mixing on the Jones property.”

Map: Google, of Sabal Trail pipeline through Randy Dowdy’s soybean fields, next to Little Creek, which runs into Okapilco Creek, into the Withlacoochee River, into the Suwannee, to the Gulf.

That letter refers to an inspection report of November 14, 2017, also filed by FERC today, that documents that “topsoil and subsoil mixing has occurred in agricultural areas during construction of Sabal Trail Transmission, LLC’s (Sabal Trail) Sabal Trail Pipeline Project.”

FERC has thus validated the generational harm to Randy Dowdy’s formerly world-record-holding soybean fields. You don’t just go get new topsoil like that.

I believe such mixing is illegal according to the permits applying to Sabal Trail, which could lead to some sort of substantial penalties for the Applicants of that Request for emergency permits today that alleged “irreparable harm” from system shutdown.

Tomorrow everyone expects a mandate from the DC Circuit Court in the Sierra Club case, which may shut Sabal Trail down. That will at least prevent any near-term further harm from Sabal Trail, and shutting it down permanently would be even better.

-jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®

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Letter: FERC to Sabal Trail 2018-02-06

FERC Accession Number 20180206-3007, “Letter requesting Sabal Trail Transmission, LLC to file a plan for investigating the actual extent of the topsoil and subsoil within 20 days for the Sabal Trail Pipeline Project under CP15-17.”

The date in the letter says 2017, but it was filed today, February 6, 2018.

FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20426
OFFICE OF ENERGY PROJECTS
In Reply Refer To:
OEP/DG2E/Gas 3
Sabal Trail Transmission, LLC
Sabal Trail Pipeline Project
CP15-17-000
February 6, 2017
Lisa A. Connolly
Director, Rates and Certificates
Sabal Trail Transmission, LLC
5400 Westheimer Road
Houston, TX 77056
Re: Topsoil Remediation
Dear Ms. Connolly:
Based on Commission staff’s recent inspection of Mr. Randy Dowdy’s and Mr. Wavell Robinson’s property, and conversations with Mr. Fred Jones, as documented in the November 14, 2017 inspection report, topsoil and subsoil mixing has occurred in agricultural areas during construction of Sabal Trail Transmission, LLC’s (Sabal Trail) Sabal Trail Pipeline Project. Therefore, within 20 days of the date of this letter, please file a plan for investigating the actual extent of the topsoil and subsoil mixing on the Dowdy and Robinson properties and the reported mixing on the Jones property. This plan, which must be filed with the Secretary of the Commission for review and written approval by the Director of the Office of Energy Projects, should include consulting with a certified professional soils scientist on the methodology and implementation of soil sampling of the disturbed and undisturbed areas (both on and off right-of-way) to determine the approximate amount of topsoil loss on the Dowdy and Robinson properties and the reported topsoil loss on the Jones property. The plan should also include compaction testing on these properties.

Based on the results of these investigations, staff will determine whether additional topsoil or other measures are warranted. If additional measures are determined necessary, Sabal Trail will be required to work with the landowners to establish measures to remediate the topsoil and subsoil mixing and compaction.

If you have any questions, please contact James Martin, Gas Branch 3 Chief, at (202) 502-8045.

Sincerely,
[signed]
Terry L. Turpin
Director
Office of Energy Projects
cc: Public File, Docket No. CP15-17-000

Within 20 days, File a plan 2018-02-06

Signed Terry L. Turpin, File a plan 2018-02-06

FERC Inspection of fields 2017-11-14

FERC Accession Number 20180206-3008, “Construction Inspection Report for Sabal Trail Transmission, LLC’s Sabal Trail Pipeline Project conducted on November 14, 2017 under CP15-17.”