Earlier this month Enbridge announced that they were ready to begin restoration work on the segment of line 6B between Griffith, Indiana, and Stockbridge, Michigan. That’s (semi) good news for all those landowners on Phase Two. But there’s just one problem: Enbridge hasn’t completed restoration work on Phase One. We’ve been hearing from some of our fellow landowners who are wondering what’s going on. We’ve been wondering the same thing ourselves, since this is currently what our property looks like. Trust us, that black silt fence is not of our own design and making.
Of course, nobody from Enbridge has taken any steps whatsoever to inform us or our fellow landowners of when, if ever, anyone from Enbridge will return to complete the job. Tired of waiting– and, frankly, increasingly concerned about all the troubles that barren swath of land is causing, from weeds to water runoff– we called our land agent yesterday to see if we could get some answers. Here’s how that phone call went (note: not an exact transcript, but very close):
Us: What can you tell us about when crews will be back to restore our property.
Agent: Well, I heard they were going to start restoration in June, but I don’t know where they’ll start or when they’ll get to you.
Us: What do you mean, “you heard”? Don’t you know?
Agent: Well, it’s what I heard.
Us: Heard from whom?
Agent: Well, that’s what Enbridge says.
Us: Who at Enbridge said that?
Agent: Well, I don’t know. The higher ups. I heard it from talking to construction crews.
Us: Construction crews? Wait. You’re telling me that Enbridge doesn’t communicate with you, the people who are supposed to communicate with landowners?
Agent: Well, I just heard they were going to start restoration in June, but I don’t know where they’ll start or when they’ll get to you.
So, after a 10 minute conversation, we knew no more than we did before we called. And that’s because Enbridge’s land agents, the people whose job it is to keep landowners informed, don’t seem to know anything and therefore cannot keep landowners informed. And that appears to be because Enbridge, bafflingly, doesn’t tell them anything. It is the most perverse system imaginable. We can only assume that Enbridge supervisors in charge of land agents are either utterly incompetent or simply hostile to landowners, the people with whom their office is supposed to cultivate productive relations. Beyond those possibilities, we have no idea what is to account for these persistent problems and, honestly, we’re tired of speculating. What we do know, however, is that those of us on Phase One have been dealing with this kind of poor communication and indifference from Enbridge for more than two full years now. And there appears to be no real end in sight.
We have been informed, on good authority, that Enbridge
will be sending their “Environmental Inspectors” to our
farm this week or next week.
These folks are supposedly the decision makers on how much,
where, and when restoration will occur. They determine what is acceptable
and what is not acceptable, regarding anything to do
with Environmental restoration, (erosion, compaction, cover crops,
Invasives, etc). My understanding is, these
Inspectors do not have the power to provide monetary
compensation to wronged landowners. They are solely to
make recommendations to Enbridge, with the cost of the project
included, should Enbridge decide to write checks, as opposed to
sending in crews. They tell Enbridge the bottom line.
I have been cautioned that even though my blood boils at the
mention of Enbridge, I MUST play nice.
These inspectors, even tho they are Enbridge employees,
have the power to make things right, regarding the environmental
mess Enbridge created. We were instructed to be cordial,
answer their questions, and (in my case), not go… “all up in their face!!”.
We’ll see….
BTW the tree folks might show up a week or so after the inspectors
Again, we’ll see……
Good luck to everyone out there.
Carol
Representatives from various Enbridge divisions showed up
on our farm yesterday. We spent 2 hours walking from one end
of the easement to the other. Along the way our environmental
concerns were pointed out and restoration discussed.
We explained why we transplanted the orchard off of the
condemned easement. We explained the necessity of the
secure fence erected behind the barn to protect my
little animals from construction noise and dust. Invasive
Garlic Mustard was discussed as well as the eradication of,
or at the very least, monitoring and controlling of this
horrible invasive species. My wetlands is now an environmental
nightmare so no suggestions were forthcoming on its restoration.
The drain tiles in our field will need extensive restoration.
That is a battle for the Ingham County Drain Commission
to fight. Fortunately for us, the drain may be located in
our field, but it belongs to the ICDC. They wield considerably
more power than we do.
Sadly, even more of my mature black walnut, red oak, and assorted
other hardwoods will have to be cut down. They are dying.
These trees are off of the easement. Before construction began
and during construction their roots were cut off. No fence was ever
erected to protect the root systems. The slow demise of my once
beautiful forest continues. I’m heartbroken.
Top soil remains a big issue. Enbridge used my topsoil
for bedding around their pipe, leaving only inches for
spreading over the easement & TWS.
I’ve listed only a small part of our concerns for this
post-construction/ restoration phase of the Line 6B pipeline.
I have to admit, I walked away from this meeting yesterday with
the feeling that, for the first time ever, my voice was heard.
I went from unable to speak, trembling with rage, at the
beginning of our walk, to actually having an open candid
dialog about half way through our walk. Don’t get me wrong,
I remain skeptical and suspicious of everything Enbridge mutters.
Carol-
Thanks for the update. I’m so sorry to hear that even more of your trees will have to go. That is so awful. But I’m glad (if wary) that the meeting went well. May I ask who the Enbridge reps were that you met with? Best, Jeff
Kirby Albright, Enbridge atty handling our lawsuit, JJ (Jeremy James)
Burchman, appeared to be Albright’s flunky, Theresa Hurst, self proclaimed expert arborist, Donna ?, environmental inspector who spoke not a word, but wrote a lot down, 2 men from Bowman
Construction out of Howell, who would apparently be doing the actual
Restoration. They did a lot of hmmmm…, I see…, we can do something
there…, but offered no concrete solutions. Although these folks all work for Enbridge, not one of them was an “agent”. Of course our attorney, James Shay was present, as well as, Tom, my ever rational,
Husband, and Me.
Thanks, Carol. I hope you get results. As for Theresa Hurst, I would not allow her to set foot on my property. Remind me to tell you back channel some time how she sold us (and everybody else) out. Please keep me updated! I hear great things about Bowman though. -Jeff
Will do. Thanks, Jeff.
Carol, Do you have an iPhone or iPad or video camera? Tape your meeting with the environmental inspectors and let them see you’re doing it. Go ahead and ask tough questions in a polite way knowing that your tape will back you up if they misbehave.
I will be presenting later this month at an international meeting on the environment. I’ve been giving talks at universities and conferences and have found a very interested and engaged audience. People around the country and the world are getting a sense that this is an important story not just environmentally but of social justice. Videos are particularly helpful as they are hard evidence that cannot be questioned or ignored. I don’t have to argue about Enbridge’s behavior; I can just show it. Jeff has my contact info.
Good luck to you and all of our neighbors along the pipeline. Given that representative Fred Upton has called for more pipeline construction and introduced new legislation to streamline the process making it easier for the homeowners to be steamrolled, we all need to stay vigilant and networked.
–Patricia
Dan Dancer of 313-475-2002 is the handler of the right a way agents in MI. . His voice mail says a return call ASAP. Been waiting 2+ weeks. Also he is using the fact that my wife has chemo on Tues. to schedule any calls. Calls AM on Tues. Has called as late as 9 pm then wont talk. He knows this. Call him to let him know he is a …
Please call the # above to set things straight
Dan thinks that Keith should make my wife who is undergoing Chemo jump thru hoops in front of him.He had no problem. Keith could not STOP looking at his shoes. Keith has lied 3 times to her and Dan thinks this is OK for Embridge. Is there no MERCY.
Sorry for time, Keith and Dan keep making her promises while i am at work. NEVER delivered on 1. Divide and take
You know that’s funny that you say that Dan Dancer is the handler of Enbridge’s right of way agents. When I was talking to my agent the other day I asked who this Dan Dancer guy is. He’s a government public affairs official for Enbridge. So unless your wife is working for a local government Mr Dancer wouldn’t be talking to your wife “promising” her all of these things. So in the future please stay off of our blog unless you have real information for us concerned landowners.
Can at least say our land agent was here today. A request made about a year ago was done. 6 requests later. Dan Dancer was here on May 6. Promised things right away. More calls and our agent set times. To bad it took a year And then another 33 days ago when Dan was here. Line 6b person, you do not know what you type of. Mr. Dancer spoke to my wife here at our place. BUT he refused to shake her hand upon leaving. Said will be done. Refused to answer to a female.You have no Idea unless you are working for EMBRIDGE. He has been here. Get off your high horse of protecting them an your job.
LINE 6B person, please share your land area that Embridge is a problem off.
It’s alright. Take the offensives, was just point out you had the wrong information. Once again why would a government public affair person be doing talking to landowners? And actually I work for GM not this so called company “Embridge” never heard of them. I do know that in my area which is in Richmond (for your information) a company called Enbridge is putting in a replacement pipeline. And I’m not protecting anybody but myself buddy. And also my job from GM doesn’t need protecting. But thanks!
First, may I say thank you for this informative blog. Time limits for restoration, among other things, should be set in the permits for the work. Either a public utility commission, a department of natural resources permit or another permit. Check that and report to those agencies. In 2009, Enbridge paid over one million dollars in fines for violating those provisions in the state of Wisconsin, in addition to having to do the work. Here is a link to the story: http://www.doj.state.wi.us/media-center/2009-news-releases/january-02-2009
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Here in Marysville, Mi, Embridge dumped their porta john into the county ditch along the road and left it. Cheap way to empty. Several weeks now. Should go to Jail on pollution of great lakes as it is a direct feed. . Got the pictures. So many violations. Also Dan dancer died on his birthday a while back.
I am giving a bunch of talks at universities and professional meetings, including to executives of petroleum companies that are unhappy with the bad PR caused by Enbridge. If you have photos you’d be willing to share with credit to you, of course, Jeff has my email address and I’d love to show them and give your story. University students, in particular, are interested in hearing these stories. Thank you!