Kinder Morgan Pipeline Proposal Raises Concerns Among Georgia Farmers

A proposed Kinder Morgan natural gas pipeline in southeast Georgia is drawing attention from farmers and landowners concerned about potential impacts on agricultural operations, property use and local water resources.

(P&GJ) — Farmers in Georgia’s Screven County are voicing concerns about a proposed Kinder Morgan natural gas pipeline that would cross agricultural land already affected by existing pipeline infrastructure, according to a report by Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB). 

Landowners say previous pipeline construction has reduced crop yields, compacted soil and permanently altered portions of their property.

Kinder Morgan is seeking to build the $430-million Bridge Project, a 30-inch pipeline designed to transport gas from the Elba Express Pipeline system in Georgia to a planned Dominion Energy power plant in South Carolina. More than 30 property owners in Screven County have received requests from the company to survey their land as part of the routing process.

Several farmers told GPB they are worried another pipeline corridor could further impact productivity and limit future land use. Carl Huggins, whose property already contains multiple pipelines, said years of construction activity have damaged fields and created ongoing challenges for farming operations. Other landowners have expressed concerns about potential effects on wetlands, irrigation wells and wildlife habitats near the proposed route.

Kinder Morgan said the current survey requests are intended only to evaluate possible routes and do not authorize construction. Company representatives also said no final alignment has been selected. However, as reported by GPB, some residents fear federal approval of the project could eventually lead to the use of eminent domain to secure easements.

The proposal has also drawn opposition from environmental groups, which have distributed signs urging residents to reject the pipeline project. While some landowners remain opposed, others say they are instead trying to negotiate route changes that would minimize impacts on farmland and existing agricultural operations.