Sunoco Logistics is moving forward with their natural gas liquid pipeline (Mariner East) project and the judge is sending in the sheriff’s department for backup.
A scheduled hearing was held today for Sunoco representatives and proper owners Ellen and Stephen Gerhart’s attorney to give statements.
Huntingdon County Judge George Zanic’s ruling was the same as it had been before; Sunoco Logistics is allowed to clear-cut the trees on the Gerhart’s property.
Crews are coming Tuesday morning to start cutting down trees. They have until Thursday. After that, the area is protected through September for endangered wildlife.
Protestors will reportedly be on the property when the tree-cutting begins. Judge Zanic advised they may be there as long as they are not obstructing the project. Anyone who is could be facing six months jail time for indirect contempt of court.
Sunoco Logistics has eminent domain, which allows them to cut. The Gerhart’s attorney said they do not have the proper permits to work in a wetland area and that an application for such permit had been rejected last year. A representative said their application for water crossing through the Department of Environmental Protections was not rejected. He said the DEP requested additional information and those permit applications are pending.
“The environmental protection process is long,” said Rich Raiders, attorney for the Gerharts. “It’s convoluted. It’s complicated, but if there is a problem then DEP will, in most situations, step up and take care of business. Unfortunately it’s after the fact.”
The Gerharts have been fighting this pipeline since last February. The pipeline will cut through their property on its way to Delaware from Ohio.