A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF WOODCREEK, TEXAS OPPOSING THE ROUTING OF THE PROPOSED PERMIAN HIGHWAY PIPELINE THROUGH THE WIMBERLEY VALLEY AND REQUESTING IMMEDIATE ACTION FROM THE STATE LEGISLATURE
WHEREAS, Exxon Mobil and Kinder Morgan in partnership with EagleClaw
Midstream (“Private Partnership”) have begun the process of routing a 42-inch buried natural gas pipeline, known as the Permian Highway Pipeline (“PHP”) from Coyanosa, Texas to Sheridan, Texas through the Texas Hill Country and Hays County; and
WHEREAS, the State of Texas has delegated to the Private Partnership the authority to choose the route of the PHP and to take the private land traversed by the PHP using the governmental power of eminent domain; and
WHEREAS, the laws of Texas provide for no oversight or regulatory process to limit this delegation to the Private Partnership, or any opportunity for the landowners of the impacted property to participate in the routing process; and
WHEREAS, the PHP will traverse the properties of multiple landowner properties requiring a permanent easement of 50 feet, plus an additional 75 feet of temporary construction easements; and
WHEREAS, the Private Partnership has not performed an Environmental Impact Study evaluating the potential impact to property near or adjacent to the PHP, the Trinity and Edwards Aquifers, and the surrounding community; and
WHEREAS, the citizens of The City of Woodcreek have expressed opposition to the presence of the PHP in the City of Woodcreek and Hays County due to its potential negative impacts to the environment, soil, water system, and land values; and
WHEREAS, The City of Woodcreek has an interest in the protection of its natural resources and an interest in how the PHP may affect its citizens;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WOODCREEK HEREBY ADOPTS THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION THAT:
Section 1.
The City of Woodcreek opposes the PHP on behalf of the interests of the citizens of the City of Woodcreek and in recognition of the potential harm the PHP poses to its natural and economic resources.
Section 2.
The City of Woodcreek requests immediate action by the Texas legislature to protect landowners and communities from the negative impact of PHP and other potential oil and gas pipelines by:
- Creating a regulatory process for oil and gas pipeline routing that enables
impacted landowners and communities to have a voice in the approval
process. - Requiring Environmental and Economic Impact Studies for all intra-state
oil and gas pipelines. - Rescinding the unlimited power of eminent domain from private
companies.