\r\nCommissioners,\r\n<\/p>\r\n
\r\n\r\n \r\nAfter talking with many of the affected landowners at this meeting,\r\nit appears that there is a general misconception about the\r\ncertainty of this proposed pipeline. The officials from Sabal\r\nTrail, both in writing and in person, are telling landowners that\r\nthis pipeline is coming and there is little any of us can do to\r\nprevent it. This appears to be the main reason for the high\r\napproval rating for the initial surveys. We were told that if we\r\ndid not willingly participate in the survey, there would be little\r\nconsideration given to our input and opinions when the pipeline is\r\nbuilt. We were also told that our monetary compensation could be\r\nconsiderably less if we chose not to participate. I believe that\r\nmany of the affected landowners agreed to the survey simply because\r\nthey are scared they will not be adequately compensated if they \r\nchose to make it difficult for Sabal Trail. Most of the people I\r\nspoke with who agreed to the survey do not want the pipeline on\r\ntheir property, but do not feel that they have a choice in the\r\nmatter.\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n![](\"http:\/\/farm3.staticflickr.com\/2888\/10327372206_b9716b3815_n.jpg\")
<\/a>\r\nI would like to start by thanking Demarcus Marshall for attending\r\nthe meeting held by Sabal Trail at Wiregrass Tech on Wednesday. It\r\nis nice to know that some of our elected officials are concerned\r\nabout this project.\r\n<\/p>\r\n![](\"http:\/\/ferc.gov\/images\/ferc_seal.png\")
<\/a>\r\nI spent a few hours on the phone with the Federal Energy Regulatory \r\nCommission last Friday. According to the\r\nFERC<\/a> representative, we do\r\nnot have a choice on the survey. It will happen whether we agree or\r\nnot. However, the route of the new pipeline is not up the Sabal\r\nTrail. The have to submit a proposed route and it has to be\r\napproved by the FERC. The only way the FERC knows of problems,\r\nconcerns, or possible alternate routes is to hear from affected\r\nlandowners. These comments and concerns can be submitted through\r\ntheir website,\r\n\r\nwww.ferc.gov<\/a>. These comments will be attached to\r\nSabal Trails docket number, PF14-1, and can be viewed online. To\r\ndate there are only 3 comments filed, 2 by myself and one by my\r\nin-laws.\r\n<\/p>\r\n
![](\"http:\/\/farm4.staticflickr.com\/3799\/10327373155_e06ed6744a_n.jpg\")
<\/a>\r\nI would encourage you to speak to the affected landowners and get\r\ntheir input on their project. Please let them know about the FERC\r\nand encourage them to submit their comments there as well. I would\r\nalso ask that the commission set up a town hall meeting for the\r\nlandowners to come and voice their opinions. The officials at Sabal\r\nTrail said Wednesday that they would be in attendance if requested.\r\n<\/p>\r\n