Protesters demonstrated against the Sabal Trail natural gas pipeline Monday morning outside of the Lowndes County Judicial Complex. Inside, Sabal representatives made a presentation to the Lowndes County Commission regarding the proposal to run the pipeline through the southwest portion of the county.

Protesters stood outside of the Lowndes County Judicial and Administrative Complex at 8:30 a.m. in opposition to the Sabal Trail natural gas pipeline project as representatives from the company made a presentation at the Commission Work Session.

The company is proposing to run a 36-inch pipeline from Alabama, extending through Georgia, and ending at Florida Power & Light’s Central Florida Hub near Orlando. The pipeline will run through the southwest portion of Lowndes County.

Brain C. Fahrenthold, regional director of state government affairs for both Spectra Energy and Sabal Trail Transmission, presented the pipeline project update to the public and to the commissioners.

Fahrenthold said, “We have not begun construction. We cannot start digging until FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) gives us the Notice to Proceed.”

Sabal Trail expects to receive the notice during the first quarter of 2016, and plans to begin construction during the second quarter of 2016. The goal is to have the pipeline operational by May 2017.

Other than their construction schedule, Sabal Trail representatives discussed their safety mantra, core values, and their economic benefit to local communities.

“We strive everyday for zero incidences,”  Fahrenthold said “All of our meetings, company wide, starts with a safety update.”

Sabal Trail’s core values include: “Minimal impact to people and communities,” and “Environmental sensitivity and protection,”  Fahrenthold stated.

Sabal Trail claims that their economic benefits are “substantial.” In Georgia alone, the project is expected to create 4,500 direct and indirect jobs.

During a work session meeting, the community does not get a chance to speak, so commissioners requested that residents send them questions so that the company could address resident’s concerns by way of the commissioners.

Commissioner John Page asked Fahrenthold, “How will this pipeline cross the Withlacoochee River?” Fahrenthold deferred the question to John Zimmer, Senior Project Manager for TRC Engineering Services. Zimmer explained the logistical process of boring a hole 50-100 ft. underneath the riverbed, then dragging the pipe through the hole.

“The pipe is well beneath the riverbed. We don’t just lay the pipe in the river,” Zimmer said.

Commissioner Demarcus Marshall, concerned about surveyor’s safety, wanted clarification regarding an incident when surveyors went too far onto a resident’s property line.

“We live an an area that when people say no, they mean no,” Marshall said.

Roger Dice is a Right of Way consultant for Sabal Trail, and addressed the incident Marshall referred to, saying some surveyors were in a field, and due to a miscalculation, they went about 120 ft. onto private property.

 Fahrenthold interjected and said, “We respect property rights, and I made a lot of phone calls because of that incident, and I hope we reconciled it.”

Commissioner Richard Raines asked if Sabal Trail has the right to use eminent domain on a state or a federal level.

Fahrenthold answered that under the Natural Gas Act, passed by Congress, Sabal Trail has the right to use eminent domain, but he assured the commission that it is only used as a last resort.

After the presentation, area residents Timothy Bland and Philip Singletary said they were not impressed. Singletary described the presentation and the question and answer portion as “a dog and pony show.”

“I was outraged because some of the questions we submitted to the commissioners were not even asked,” Singletary said.

Although failing to ease some resident’s concerns, this presentation proved fruitful for Chairman Bill Slaughter.

“I felt like it was a good work session, and I felt like Sabal Trail’s representative, Mr.  Fahrenthold, made a good presentation. The Commissioners had the opportunity to ask some questions, and express some concerns,” Slaughter said. “I wanted to make sure that Lowndes County citizens are being treated with respect, and I appreciate Sabal Trail’s transparency.”

Before the special presentation, the Lowndes County Commission breezed through their work session with few concerns.

With two vacant seats, the Metropolitan Planning Organization Citizen Advisory Committee is requesting the commission appoint members. Todd L. Smoot and Michael E. Frost are interested in filling the vacancies.

During the public hearing portion of the meeting, the commissioners heard, for the third time, a rezoning request. Davenport informed the commission that the request is still missing some signatures, but this is because one owner has a power of attorney, and his staff has received word that two owners are deceased. One of the deceased had no heirs, and one had an heir.

In other business:

• The Windstone subdivision is requesting to become a decorative special tax lighting district.

• The Kennedy’s Family Steakhouse is requesting an on premises beer and wine license, and Big Al’s is requesting an on premises liquor license.

The commission has several items for consideration and two bids.

– Approval of their 2014 Commission meeting schedule

– 2014 Public Defender Services Contract and 2014 Operating Contract

– Land Application Bar Screen Replacement

– Budget Calendar for 2014-2015

– Back pay for 9-1-1 Center Employees.

– Second State Court Judge.

Bids:

– Repair of damaged F150 from the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office.

    – Deloach Body Works is the lowest of three bidders with a $4,114.40 bid.

– Repair of Damaged Fire Tanker

    – The only bid came from John’s Body Shop with a $9,491.09 bid.

All of the agenda items discussed at the work session will be voted on during the commission’s regularly scheduled meeting, Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.

Sabal Trial will have an open house for Lowndes Counties from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 16, at the Clyattville Elementary School Cafeteria, on 5386 Madison Highway. This meeting is open to the public.

For more information about the natural gas pipeline, please call Sabal Trail’s Right-of-Way team at 1-888-596-7732.