Wicomico County Council approves Eastern Shore Natural Gas easement plan

Wicomico County Council is moving forward with plans to facilitate a new natural gas pipeline project, following discussions during their legislative and open work session on April 1, 2025. Eastern Shore Natural Gas has proposed a pipeline that will run alongside railroad tracks near the county's correction center and former sheriff facility. To support this initiative, the council is considering granting a permanent easement of 25 feet and a temporary easement of 60 feet for construction purposes.

The permanent easement, covering approximately one-third of an acre, is valued at $15,500, while the temporary easement, spanning about 1.3 acres, is estimated at $21,800. The project is expected to commence later this year and conclude by early next year. Council members emphasized the importance of ensuring that the construction does not disrupt parking at the detention center, which has limited capacity.

While there is no legal requirement to hold a public hearing for utility easements, the council is open to the idea of conducting one on May 6 at 6 PM to address any community concerns, although they anticipate minimal public impact from the project.

In addition to the easement discussions, the council also addressed the potential dissolution of the current Wicomico County Planning and Zoning Commission to establish a new commission. This move aims to enhance the planning and zoning processes within the county, although further details were not provided during this session.

As these initiatives progress, the council remains focused on ensuring that community needs and concerns are prioritized, paving the way for infrastructure improvements while maintaining public safety and accessibility.