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Conservation Engineering and Technical Assistance
Pipeline Construction Standards
Why is the Division involved with pipeline construction in Ohio?
As part of Ohio Revised  Code section 1511.02 the chief of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources - Division of Soil and Water Resources (ODNR-DSWR) has the responsibility to “cooperate with other agencies and subdivisions of the state to protect the agricultural status of rural lands adjacent to such projects and control adverse impacts on soil and water resources.” These “such projects” include highways, underground cables, pipelines, railroads and other improvements affecting soil and water resources, including subsurface and subsurface drainage.
Does Ohio have a pipeline standard and construction specification for projects occurring in Ohio?
ODNR-DSWC has developed a model pipeline standard and construction specification to provide guidelines for controlling and minimizing the adverse impacts of pipeline construction on Ohio’s soil and water resources.
What is an AIMA agreement?
To help preserve the integrity of agricultural land that was to be impacted by pipeline construction occurring from the Rockies Express Pipeline (42” underground natural gas pipeline crossing Ohio), the Division of Soil and Water Resources (formerly the Division of Soil and Water Conservation) developed and signed an Agricultural Impact Mitigation Agreement with the Rockies Express Pipeline LLC. The AIMA is a minimum set of standards or guidelines that ODNR and REX agreed to have implemented as result of the construction of this pipeline. Final REX East AIMA (2.5 MB pdf).
Who has oversight of interstate natural gas pipeline construction projects?
FERC or the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC Citizen's Guides) approves the location, construction, and operation of interstate pipelines. Once the pipeline is operation and flowing in the new system, U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration takes over responsibility during the operation for the lifetime of the pipeline.
Who has oversight of intrastate pipeline construction projects?
PUCO or the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio and the Ohio Power Siting Board provides oversight of intrastate pipelines. The Ohio Power Siting Board is authorized to issue certificates of environmental compatibility and public need for the construction, operation, and maintenance of major utility facilities as defined in ORC Section 4906.01.
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