Water district, federal government reach $5.4 million pipeline settlement
The El Paso Water Improvement District 1 and the Federal government have reached a $5.4 million settlement with Comanche Trail Pipeline LLC over a new natural gas pipeline near San Elizario in the Lower Valley.
In November, a judge ordered the company stop construction arguing it could endanger the area’s water supply.
The government feared the installation of the pipeline at a depth of 10 feet under the Franklin Canal could result in the collapse of the canal or damage to the pipeline, the El Paso water supply, or residents in the vicinity. “Such damage would be irreparable as the water could not be recovered and loss of life cannot be restored,” the restraining order stated.
The restraining order issued to stop construction has been lifted.
“They have complied with what we wanted,” said Jesus Reyes, with the Water District, “In the future, we want a record of where the pipeline is and how deep it is.So, 15 years from now when we’re not here, they know where it is and how deep it is. They met all our criteria.”
Earlier this year, a canal collapsed after the company drilled under it during irrigation season. A portion of the settlement money will pay for repairs made to the damaged canal, Reyes said.
“We wanted to do anything we could so that pipeline that is there will be in a safe location. They agreed that the places where they hadn’t gone through yet, they agreed to the depth that we recommended, and agreed to pay for concrete lining in that area,” Reyes said.
