Commissioners approve road-use and pipeline-crossing agreement for Chemical Gas Trading pending $1 million bond

Freestone County Commissioners on an agenda item approved a road-use and pipeline-crossing agreement for Chemical Gas Trading, with approval conditioned on receipt of a $1,000,000 surety bond to cover potential damage to county roads and bridges.

The action followed discussion about the extent of roadway impacts. A county official identified the proposed road use as covering about 15.27 miles and listed County Road numbers referenced for use in the agreement. An elected official asked that the surety bond be set at $1,000,000; another official moved the approval and a colleague seconded. The chair noted the approval would be subject to receiving the bond. The motion carried.

Why it matters: The bond is intended to ensure funds are available to repair damage to county roads and bridges caused by pipeline construction or heavy equipment. Commissioners referenced specific county roads and bridges in their discussion and asked staff to require a single surety bond that would cover both related permit numbers.

Details: Commissioners and staff said the road-use agreement covers multiple county roads and includes pipeline-crossing permits. During discussion an official clarified that although the same road is included in more than one permit, there are different bridges involved, and the one bond would be intended to cover both. One official asked whether an additional bond would be required for a separate permit; staff said no additional bond would be put on it beyond the required $1,000,000 surety bond. The county made approval conditional on receipt of that bond.

Next steps: The county will not finalize the agreement until the required surety bond is delivered and verified by the county clerk's office.