Speak Up to Protect Organic Farms from Pipelines

Do you think organic food should be grown on top of crude oil pipelines? Do you think organic farms should be protected from damage to soil health and certification caused by pipelines? Do you think organic farms are a unique and sensitive environmental resource, which need to be protected? This summer, you have a chance to speak up at a pipeline permit hearing and help protect organic farms.

As you may have heard, the Minnesota Pipe Line Company (MPLC) wants to run a crude oil pipeline across Minnesota to bring oil from Canadian oil sands to the Koch refinery in Rosemount. This pipeline would carry as much 350,000 barrels per day of petroleum crude oil and would operate at a maximum pressure of 1,462 pounds per square inch.

In order to avoid suburban areas, the MPLC's prefer red route would cross 149 miles of farmland, including four organic farms. In its plans for construction of the pipeline, removal of soil and use of chemicals, the MPLC makes no distinction between conventional and organic farms. The MPLC has proposed to route its crude oil pipeline through the center of the Gardens of Eagan organic farm, putting the survival of this certified organic farm at risk.

We know that organic farms are vulnerable to soil and ecosystem losses, chemical contamination and the risk of lower production as a result of pipeline construction, pipeline maintenance and the possibility of crude oil spills. For this reason, MOSES, the Land Stewardship Project, the Twin Cities Coops and the Organic Consumers Association have gotten involved in the Minnesota Pipe Line case to advocate that organic farms should be avoided if there are feasible alternatives and that special precautions should be taken to protect organic ecosystems and certification.

It is vitally important that organic consumers and advocates, alternative health practitioners and organic farmers, speak up in favor of protecting organic farms. There will be an open public hearing in every county affected by the pipeline and you are needed to come and express your views. These views can influence not only the route of the Minnesota Pipe Line Company pipeline, but state policy on whether organic farms should be protected as pipelines, transmission lines and other infrastructure are planned to cross agricultural land. You can come testify in the Minnesota Pipe Line hearings even if this pipeline isn't planned to cross your land. Thank you for your willingness to speak up and help protect organic farms.

As soon as specific times and locations for the hearings are set, we will post them at www.wedge.coop. They will also be found at www.gardensofeagan.com.

Tips on Public Testimony to Protect Organic Farms

Put your testimony in writing and bring a copy to give to the hearing judge and the court reporter.

Summarize your testimony--speak no more than 3 to 5 minutes.

Explain who you are and your experience with organic farming/food.

To the depth that you feel comfortable, speak about these key ideas:

• Minnesota cannot afford to lose any organic farmland to pipeline construction.
• Organic farms are vulnerable to loss of certification, soil destruction and ecosystem damage. Where possible, routes should avoid organic farms.
• Where it is not possible to avoid an organic farm, pipeline companies should be required to take precautions to reduce and repair damage to organic farms.
• This isn't just about money. This is about preserving sustainable agriculture.
• Organic food is vital for many people's health as well as to serve the market for customers in the Midwest.

There is a lot of information on how the crude oil pipeline would affect organic farms on the Gardens of Eagan web site at www.gardensofeagan.com.

The official page for the pipeline permit application is at the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission's website

Preliminary Pipeline Hearing Schedule

Minnesota Pipe Line Company Crude Oil Pipeline

(Judge Beverly J. Heydinger June 9, 2006 Order)

• August 24, 2006 Clearwater and Hubbard Counties
• August 25, 2006 Wadena County
• August 28, 2006 Todd County
• August 29, 2006 Morrison County
• August 30, 2006 Stearns County
• September 5, 2006 Dakota County
• September 7, 2006 Scott County
• September 11, 2006 Wright and Meeker Counties
• September 13, 2006 McLeod County
• September 14, 2006 Sibley and Carver Counties