Lower Towamensing Township supervisors considered a resolution this week that would formally object to the practice of clear-cutting trees by the PennEast Pipeline Co. before receiving all of its necessary permits for construction of the pipeline.

Linda Christman, president of Save Carbon County, stated in a letter to the supervisors that although the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission requires all necessary permits be obtained before construction can be started on a pipeline, clear-cutting is not considered to be part of construction.

In her letter explaining why the resolution is necessary, Christman also sent a proposed resolution objecting to the practice.

Christman said Constitution Pipeline was allowed a few years ago to clear-cut 28 acres of Pennsylvania land even though it did not have all of its permits. In particular, the company had not been granted the Clean Water Certification from New York state. She said that not only were these acres in Pennsylvania destroyed by the clear-cut, but also several acres of maple trees that were an income source for the Holleran family were destroyed.

Similarly, PennEast is seeking to obtain all of its permits to construct a pipeline in Pennsylvania, but it has not received the Clean Water Certification in New Jersey.

“Even those who support the building of the pipeline should oppose this unnecessary environmental damage,” Christman said.

Due to the environmental damage of the clear-cut and the unnecessary destruction of income property to the Holleran family, FERC has begun to listen to official opposition to the practice.

“I believe FERC will listen if Lower Towamensing and other municipalities let FERC know that tree cutting should not be allowed until all permits are obtained. The (Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection) and (Department of Conservation and Natural Resources) have registered their concerns about the practice of early tree cutting,” Christman said.

The width of the clear-cutting for the proposed right of way is 125 feet and would run through two state parks in Carbon County, a state forest and residents’ properties, she said.

The proposed resolution stated that Lower Towamensing Township objects to the practice of tree cutting until PennEast Pipeline Co. obtains all of the necessary permits from Pennsylvania and New Jersey for its 118-mile, 36-inch diameter gas pipeline from Wilkes-Barre to Hopewell Township, New Jersey. And the township strongly urges FERC to deny any request by the company to do the tree cutting until these permits are obtained.

The supervisors passed the resolution to formally object to the clear-cutting practice before all permits are completed.

Brent Green, chairman of the supervisors, said the exact path of the pipeline is still being worked out as well.

“The pipeline could change and already has changed,” he said. “It’s a common sense move (to pass the resolution). I wish there was more teeth to enforce it.”