An appellate court in Ohio has directed a lower court to reconsider the merits of a proposed natural gas pipeline that would pass through a conserved farm, stressing the significance of public advantages in such a scenario.
The Ohio-based Columbia Gas seeks to acquire an easement, via eminent domain, for the 5-mile-long pipeline stretch, which would traverse a preserved farm located in Marysville, a city situated northwest of Columbus.
However, the employment of eminent domain to seize private land for personal use can be impeded if it would obliterate an existing public purpose, such as farmland conservation, as emphasized by Judge William R. Zimmerman in his April 17 verdict.
The Third District Court of Appeals has, therefore, referred the case to the Union County Court of Common Pleas to determine whether Columbia Gas can demonstrate that its proposed pipeline wouldn't harm the public purpose of farmland preservation.
Being a public utility firm, Columbia Gas has attempted to acquire the easement through eminent domain following unsuccessful negotiations with the landowners.
The Ohio Farm Bureau hailed the ruling as a positive step in upholding farmland preservation and underlining the urgency to reform the state's eminent domain regulations.
Photo Credit: Flickr - Maureen
Categories: Ohio, General