Government Wants Input on Moving Iconic Cape Cod Canal Bridge—Environment at Stake!
Published Date: 4/9/2025
Notice
Summary
Algonquin Gas Transmission plans to move the Cape Cod Canal Bridge in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, and the government wants your thoughts on how this might affect the environment. They’re asking for public comments by May 5, 2025, to help decide if the project should move forward. This is a big deal for local communities and could impact construction timelines and costs.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.
Easement Offers and Eminent Domain Risk
If you are a landowner in the project area, Algonquin may contact you to negotiate an easement to construct, operate, and maintain the planned facilities. You are not required to sign an agreement, but if the Commission approves the project the Natural Gas Act conveys eminent domain authority to the company and, if negotiations fail, the company could initiate condemnation proceedings with compensation determined by a judge under state law.
Construction Will Disturb 73 Acres; 21 Acres Permanent
Algonquin says construction would disturb about 73 acres of land for aboveground facilities and pipeline work, and after construction it would maintain about 21 acres for permanent operation while the rest would be restored to former uses. This means local land use and nearby properties could be impacted during and after construction.
Environmental Review Will Cover Key Resources
FERC staff will prepare an environmental document that will evaluate potential impacts in areas including geology and soils; water resources and wetlands; vegetation and wildlife; threatened and endangered species; cultural resources; land use; air quality and noise; and reliability and safety. If an application is filed, staff will decide whether to prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) or an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which would open additional public comment opportunities.
Pipeline Relocations and New Pipeline Miles
The project would remove or relocate about 1.14 miles of existing 8-inch and 18-inch pipelines, remove and relocate two mainland meter and regulating stations, and install about 3.4 miles of 16-inch pipeline and about 2.2 miles of 18-inch pipeline plus two new meter and regulating stations. The stated purpose is to accommodate replacement of the Bourne and Sagamore Bridges while continuing uninterrupted natural gas service to National Grid on both sides of the Cape Cod Canal.
How to Comment and Scoping Meeting
You can submit written or oral comments to FERC on the scoping issues by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on May 5, 2025. FERC will hold a public scoping session on April 23, 2025 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. EDT at Brookside Golf Club in Bourne, MA, where you can provide oral comments one-on-one (individual comments may be limited to 5 minutes if many wish to speak).
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