On June 5, 2017 Y leadership became aware that Energy Transfer Partners plans to locate its 42-inch, 1400 psi high-pressure, natural gas pipeline less than 300 feet from the northeast section of the Camp Birkett property.The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission specifically stated in its Final Environmental Impact Statement on July 29, 2016 that the Rover pipeline should adopt the 3-mile-long Market Segment Alternative Section 2 to collocate the proposed pipeline within the ITC powerline corridor. This recommended route would not trap Camp Birkett, more than 90 neighboring homes, the Pinckney Recreation Area, Crooked Lake Campground and the Post 46 Hunt/Fish Club within the burn radius, should a pipeline explosion occur. However, the current lake-hugging pipeline route would cross over all three of the only Silver Lake access roads available for both evacuation and emergency response. The YMCA was informed of the Rover pipeline’s route change by a concerned member of the Silver Lake Association, because the proximity of the new route places the Y’s staff and children within the pipeline’s quarter-mile 3,200-foot buffer corridor, with no land escape available should a pipeline disaster occur.
The Ann Arbor YMCA is protesting the pipeline reroute. In solidarity with our neighbors in the Silver Lake community, the YMCA is requesting an immediate suspension of pipeline construction around Silver Lake and a return to the original, FERC sanctioned plan to have the Rover pipeline located within the ITC powerline corridor.
If you are interested in helping the Y to keep our children safe, please file an eComment with FERC. You can access the instructions to file a comment here, using specific docket number: CP15-93-000. Thank you so much for helping us put a spotlight on this issue. Your immediate support would be greatly appreciated, as pipeline construction is already occurring less than a mile and a half south of Camp Birkett.