Pipeline project on hold until permit violations corrected

by The Associated Press

Construction of a petroleum pipeline through southern Ohio will remain on hold until permit violations are corrected and a plan addressing future compliance is approved, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said July 7.

The corps halted construction on the Marathon Ashland Petroleum pipeline project on July 2 after inspections revealed violations at a section running through the Richland Furnace State Forest in northern Jackson County, Ohio.

Inspectors said workers dumped fill into waterways, failed to control erosion and sediment and worked outside the approved right of way.

Over the following weekend, the corps and Ohio River Pipeline LLC agreed on an interim plan to correct the violations, the agency said. Ohio River Pipeline, Marathon Ashland Petroleum subsidiary, holds the permit to build the 149-mile pipeline.

Under the interim plan, Ohio River Pipeline is to clean up and repair the construction right of way. The company also is allowed to add insulation and fill dirt around the exposed pipe to prevent damage, the corps said.

New pipeline construction cannot resume until Ohio River Pipeline submits a plan detailing how it will comply with permit requirements, the corps said. Corps officials will review that plan and determine whether to reinstate, modify or revoke Ohio River Pipeline’s permit for the project.

About 100 of the 600 employees and contractors on the project were working to ensure environmental compliance, Marathon Ashland spokeswoman Jennifer Robinson said July 7. The company will shift duties to double the compliance workers to 200.