Hancock County Farm Bureau urges caution on pipeline access

CARTHAGE, Ill. (WGEM) - A new pipeline may be in the works that would cross much of the region.

Should the proposed route go forward, the Heartland Greenway Carbon Capture Pipeline would cross five states (South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois). This includes part of every West Central Illinois county and Lee County, Iowa.

Construction on the pipeline is not expected to begin until 2024, but some landowners have already been contacted by the Texas based company (Navigator CO₂ Ventures) about surveying, which they do not have to allow at this time.

“We just urge our landowners to exercise caution when contacted by those land agents. They are under no obligation at this time to grant that verbal permission to those agents to access their property,” said Hancock County Farm Bureau manager Kristin Huls.

Huls said landowners may provide access if they wish, but they should give written permission and not verbal.

“If a land owner wishes to enter an agreement to access their property, we would encourage that land owner to make sure those permissions are written, in a written agreement, just to protect themselves as well as their property,” Huls said.

She said she recommends that any agreements limit the scope of activities, require notice of the landowner before access, and ensure compensation should any damage occur.

Huls said for many along the pipeline, this is not extremely new as many faced a similar situation with the Dakota Access Pipeline. However, this time McDonough County landowners are included, which was not the case with the Dakota Access Pipeline.

The Hancock County Farm Bureau is planning on coordinating with the Illinois Farm Bureau to hold more informational meetings about the pipeline and easement negotiations in late February and early March.

You can find out more about the pipeline project here.

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