COLUMBIA, Tenn. (WKRN) — A Duck River pipeline project is officially in motion.
Widely considered the most biologically-diverse river in North America, the Duck is a dwindling resource.
In recent years, Tennessee leaders have made a full-fledged effort to find sustainability solutions for the waterway.
Now, it appears they have one: a 17-mile, $500+ million water pipeline.
Proposed by Columbia Power and Water Systems, the project has now been endorsed by the state’s Duck River Watershed Planning Partnership.
The utility’s plan includes a new, downstream water intake facility near Williamsport. CPWS said the “comprehensive project” would pump raw water back into Columbia, reuse treated wastewater, and help improve the overall reliability of the Duck River.
But in order to build the pipeline, the utility would need to take land that isn’t theirs.
“They’re making the threats, as far as eminent domain, but they are strongly encouraging these individuals to try to agree with them voluntarily to sell the land. And it has worked [for some],” Maury County resident Dustin Kittle said.
Kittle is a lawyer and member of a Duck River advocacy group Tennessee Land and Liberty.
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He and his team believe CPWS are working outside of their jurisdiction in order to push this pipeline project ahead.
“Our biggest objection to it is the fact that these decisions are being made by a city and they are going outside of their bounds to exercise eminent domain,” said Kittle. “The three farmers that we represent, particularly, have some unique circumstances. For example, the generational farm that is [out] there, the pipeline would cut directly across their farm and is part of the agreement that they would have to sign. It essentially would allow 24/7 access to their farm.”
Kittle said he and his fellow advocates are not trying to prevent people from having a viable water resource.
But given the Ducks’ fragile nature, he believes the state should look at alternatives to a high-cost, high-impact water pipeline — especially one that would benefit one city the most.
“Our feeling is, this was a self-induced water crisis because the City of Columbia could not stop developing,” said Kittle. “When we ran the numbers on this pipeline, what we found out was that the out-of-city customers — the individuals that don’t have a vote — they’re paying a higher proportional share for this pipeline that, again, they will never own a stake in.”
CPWS confirmed with News 2 that they are sending letters to landowners, warning of possible condemnation proceedings.
In a statement, the utility wrote, in part:
Most landowners CPWS has contacted have been open and willing to negotiate, and we’ve been able to reach fair settlements with them.
As part of its Long-Term Water Supply Program, CPWS has worked with landowners to pay for the ability to bury the pipeline infrastructure for the project through easements. To be clear, no additional physical property is required for the project, and use of the land will not be unduly burdened due to the easement with very few stipulations being placed on land use.
Any time a utility project of this size is taking place, however, the likelihood of at least some condemnation proceedings rise. We continue to hope to reach fair settlements with each landowner and as little impact to their property as possible.
We must balance our duty to provide a sustainable water future with our responsibility to all ratepayers to keep program costs manageable.
Columbia Power and Water System
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“Our position is this is a power play. Columbia Power and Water is trying to position themselves as being the regional water authority that would make decisions for hundreds of thousands of people that depend on the Duck River,” added Kittle. “We’re talking about a 17-mile pipeline, and about 90% of it will be going through county land as opposed to the city.”
On Monday, a state board will meet in Nashville to decide whether to loan CPWS over $300 million to get the project off the ground. If that is approved, construction could begin as early as next month, according to CPWS.