In April 2014 the Groveland, Florida City Council unanimously
voted to ask FERC
to move the Sabal Trail pipeline off of private property
and the Green Swamp and onto Florida state lands.
The vote is recorded in their minutes of April 21, 2014:
- Resolution 2014-04-06: Sabal Trail Transmission Line
Action: Motion to approve
Moved by Vice Mayor James Smith, Seconded by Council Member John Griffin.
Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yes = 5).
Motion approved.
The text of the resolution is in their agenda packet:
REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERATION
MEETING DATE: April 21, 2014
AGENDA ITEM:
PREPARED BY: Anita Geraci»Carver
DATE: April 14, 2014
DESCRIPTION: Resolution 2014-04-05: Sabal Trail Transmission LineBACKGROUND:
On April 7, 2014 the City Council supported a citizen request to adopt a resolution to support Lake County residents seeking to relocate the proposed Saba] Trail Transmission Gas Line onto lands owned by the State of Florida or within existing utility easements; and in support of their effort to protect private property from being utilized by Spectra Energy for the Sabal Trail Transmission Gas Line when state lands and existing utility easements are available,
Council expressed its concern with the proposed gas line being constructed in the Green Swamp Area of Critical State Concern. Council indicated any leak or explosion will be detrimental to the aquifer and potable water supply.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approve Resolution
REVIEWED BY CITY MANAGER:
COUNCIL ACTION:
MOTION BY:
SECOND BY:“The city with a future, watch us grow!”
RESOLUTION 2014-04-05
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GROVELAND SUPPORTING LAKE COUNTY RESIDENTS IN THEIR REQUEST TO THE FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION (FERC) TO REQUIRE SPECTRA ENERGY TO RELOCATE THE PROPOSED SABAL TRAIL TRANSMISSION GAS LINE ONTO LANDS OWNED BY THE STATE OF FLORIDA OR WITHIN EXISTING UTILITY EASEMENTS; SUPPORTING LAKE COUNTY RESIDENTS IN THEIR EFFORT TO PROTECT PRIVATE PROPERTY FROM BEING UTILIZED BY SPECTRA ENERGY FOR THE SABAL TRAIL TRANSMISSION GAS LINE; REQUESTING FERC TO CONSIDER THE DETRIMENTAL EFFECTS A GAS LEAK 0R EXPLOSION IN THE GREEN SWAMP AREA OF STATE CONCERN WILL HAVE ON FLORIDA’S POTABLE WATER SUPPLY
WHEREAS, Spectra Energy seeks to construct a transmission line having a 36-inch diameter 460 miles through Alabama, Georgia and Florida, and upon completion will transport 1.1 billion cubic feet of gas per day; and
WHEREAS, the proposed route for the transmission line, Docket number PFl4-l: Sabal Trail Transmission, Southeast, is through Lake and Sumter counties in Florida, and impacts a significant number of private properties, including residential and farm land, which also lies within the Green Swamp; and
WHEREAS, the City of Groveland understands there are alternative routes being proposed for the transmission line, including, existing utility easements available to Spectra Energy, as well as lands owned by the State of Florida; and
WHEREAS, the City of Groveland supports the use of public lands, and lands encumbered by existing utility easements, over the use of private property owner’s lands; and
WHEREAS, The Green Swamp has been designated by the Legislature of the State of Florida as an Area of Critical State Concern, being the state’s second-largest wetlands system after the Everglades and includes portions of Lake, Sumter, Polk, Pasco and Hernando counties; and
WHEREAS, The Green Swamp is recognized by the State of Florida for its ecological and hydrological importance, as it has several unique characteristics, including its ability to store surface water and slow the flow of floodwaters while sustaining rivers and streams, its relatively high elevation, together with a shallow depth to the aquifer, keeps water levels high, and the water table for much of the year stands above the potentiometric surface of the Floridan aquifer, providing recharge to the area; and
WHEREAS, due to The Green Swamp being one of the highest water recharge areas in the State of Florida, any contamination will be detrimental to the State’s water supply, its environment, and its residents; and
WHEREAS, the entirety of the pipeline to be constructed in Lake County is located in The Green Swamp region, an Area of Critical State Concern.
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Groveland desires to support the efforts of Lake County residents as they seek to have the proposed route relocated.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Groveland that:
- The City Council of the City of Groveland requests FERC to study, consider and heavily weigh the detrimental effects a gas leak or explosion Will have on Florida’s potable water supply as the proposed route for the Sabal Trail Transmission Gas Line is through the Green Swamp Area of Critical State Concern, a critical recharge area for the Floridian aquifer.
- The City Council of the City of Groveland requests FERC to require Spectra Energy to relocate the transmission line outside of The Green Swamp.
- The City Council of the City of Groveland supports Lake County residents:
- In their request to FERC to require Spectra Energy to relocate the proposed Sabal Trail Transmission Gas Line onto lands owned by the State of Florida or within existing utility easements; and
- In their effort to protect private property from being utilized by Spectra Energy for the Sabal Trail Transmission Gas Line when state lands and existing utility easements are available.
- The City Council of the City of Groveland supports the use of public lands, and lands encumbered by existing utility easements, over the use of private property owner’s lands.
DULY PASSED AND ADOPTED this day of , 2014.
Tim Loucks, Mayor
Attest:
Teresa Begley, City Clerk
Approved as to form and legality:
Anita Geraci-Carver, City Attorney
First Reading
Council Member ________ moved the passage and adoption of the above and foregoing Resolution. Motion was seconded by Council Member ________ and upon roll call on the motion the vote was as follows:
YEA NAY John Griffin Tim Loucks James Smith Dina Sweatt Evelyn Wilson
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