Reno Gazette Journal  4-28-10

Panel OKs permit for pipeline across northern part of Washoe County

Despite pleas to avoid ancient Indian gathering areas and pristine wildlife areas, Washoe County commissioners Tuesday night approved a permit for a pipeline to carry natural gas from Wyoming to Oregon across the northern part of the county.

Aaron Townsend, of the Fort Bidwell Indian Community Council in California, said the lands in northern Washoe between Vya and the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge are aboriginal territory.

"This is where our people have come since the beginning of time," he said, adding hundreds of art rock features, tribal sites and plants used in rituals would be ruined.

"This will destroy this pristine area," said Charles Reed, also of Fort Bidwell.

He said the land supports mule deer, bobcats, golden eagles and three subspecies of pygmy rabbits.

Reed proposed the Ruby pipeline be rerouted to Highway 140 from Denio to Lakeview or along a railroad line north of Gerlach where there is sparse vegetation.

Roger Pelham, a county planner, said the local government has no role in deciding where the route goes through Washoe County.

But County Chairman Dave Humke won a promise from Ruby Pipeline executive Dan Gredvig to meet with Townsend and review the cultural resource issues. He suggested they get together immediately at a nearby Denny's restaurant.

Gredvig said the proposed route follows a high-voltage power line through the land sought to be protected by the Fort Bidwell tribe, implying the route was less than pristine.

El Paso Corp., which is proposing the $3 billion natural gas pipeline, has not signed an agreement with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to cross the land. Through Washoe County, the BLM owns 90 percent of the 56-mile route.

Consultations over the cultural resources are under way with the Nevada state historic preservation office.

Commissioner Kitty Jung said the Fort Bidwell Indians and Reno-Sparks Indian Colony officials have said they weren't consulted on the cultural issues and urged a letter be written on their behalf.

In Washoe County, a special-use permit is required because explosives would be used in constructing the 42-inch diameter pipeline. Construction would disturb a strip of land 115-195 feet wide for a total of 550 acres. The trench would be 12 feet deep.

At peak, the project would employ up to 4,500 construction workers. Each section will employ 600-800 workers and the company's contractors are to hire up to 50 percent of the workers from local unions, Ruby executive Loren Locher said.

El Paso is required to build a work camp near Vya, the only one required for the pipeline because of its remote location.