Crook County fights to keep out a natural gas pipeline

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By Abby Carter, Reporter - email

For Wyoming rancher Doug Watson, it all started with a letter in the mail that basically said, "We're building a pipeline, sign this easement agreement, and we'll send you a check."

The energy company Oneok wants to build a 500 mile natural gas pipeline, 300 miles of which would travel through Wyoming.

But Crook County Commissioners and a couple of local ranchers are saying no way.

Watson is one rancher that is standing his ground, and now Oneok is trying to condemn his land, but Watson says the legal costs are small compared to what the costs of a pipeline leak would be. "It would be extremely difficult if not entirely impossible to ever clean up a spill if it gets underground," said Watson. Their shut off valves, where we're at it is ten miles between a shut off valve and a pump station."

Watson says because of the karst topography on his land it would be dangerous to build a pipeline through it.

The first public meeting concerning the pipeline will be held Friday from 11:00 PM to 1:00 PM in the basement of the Crook County Courthouse.

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Crook County fights to keep out a natural gas pipeline - KOTA Territory News

Crook County fights to keep out a natural gas pipeline

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