Watertown-area landowner asks Codington County to consider one-mile setback for proposed CO2 pipeline

At the Jan. 7 Codington County meeting in Watertown, landowner Rita Brownlee urged commissioners to consider adopting a local ordinance that would set a larger setback for a proposed carbon dioxide (CO2) pipeline that she said is slated to cross her property.

Brownlee told the board the pipeline originating at the Glacier Lakes Ethanol plant would cross land she owns and come within "less than 300 yards" of her home and "less than 500 yards" of the city limit south of her property. She said the route also approaches recreational facilities and a gun range and that a pipeline break could affect the ethanol plant and nearby public areas.

"I just want to give a little, or why I'm here is because I'm very concerned. Safety is actually what I'm concerned with," Brownlee said. She asked commissioners to consider a setback of about 1 mile for CO2 pipelines rather than the smaller setback she said currently applies.

Brownlee noted that some neighboring counties have adopted ordinances addressing CO2 pipeline setbacks and said that even if state or federal authorities could override a local rule, "at least we made the effort."

Commissioners accepted Brownlee's comments for the public record; there was no board action on the topic at the meeting. The county did not state any upcoming steps on the matter during the session; Brownlee asked the board to "see if there's any chance" of pursuing a local ordinance and left the item in the record for the board to consider.

Public-comment items do not themselves change county policy unless the board takes formal action later.