Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Constitution Pipeline would destroy almost half-a-million trees.

HAVE YOU REGISTERED as an INTERVENOR yet?
Deadline Wed July 17!!

StopThePipeline.org


I did some calculations here
http://williamahuston.blogspot.com/2013/02/how-many-acres-of-forest-lost-in-pa-due.html
...to figure out...

1) How many trees will be destroyed during the construction of the Constitution Pipeline?
2) How many acres of forest lost forever?
3) How many acres of farmland lost forever?

Bottom Line-- it is likely, using reasonable estimates,
  • 1466 acres will be cleared, 1,100 football fields
  • 430,000 trees-- cut -- gone.
  • 400 acres farmland destroyed (~300 football fields)
  • Half will be "reclaimed" (yeah right)
Assumptions (from PA data)
  • PA forests are 500 trees per acre
  • PA is 57% forest.
  • PA is 27% farmland.
121 miles * 50' permanent easement
+121 miles * 50' temp. Construction easement.

121 mi * 5280 ft/mi * 50' easement
= 31,944,000 ft sq. = ~733 acres = ~550 football fields.
So that 733+733 acres total during construction=1466 acres.
Or 550+500 football fields = 1,100 football fields.

This is the total size of the Right of Way to be cleared during constructions.

How many trees destroyed for the pipeline?

1466 acres total for the pipeline R.O.W. * 500 trees per acre *.57 (percent forest)  ~430,000 trees.

How much farmland is destroyed for the pipeline?
1466 acres * .27 (27% farmland)
= 400 acres farmland disrupted
(~300 football fields)
 

Half that will be "reclaimed".
But what does that mean?

Over how much time...?
20 years? 50 years? 

Will it ever be the same?


--
--
May you, and all beings
be happy and free from suffering :)
-- ancient Buddhist Prayer (Metta)

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