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Magistrate raises pipeline safety concerns; proposes ordinance to ban balloon releases
Summary
A magistrate urged caution about aging pipeline materials after receiving a Kinder Morgan mailing and proposed researching a local ordinance to prohibit celebratory helium-balloon releases after reports of wildlife and livestock deaths from ingested balloons.
A magistrate told the court he received a Kinder Morgan mailing and described long-standing reservations about aging pipeline infrastructure running through the county, referencing past incidents in nearby counties and concerns about product changes and line integrity.
Speaking from his district, the magistrate described historical pipeline construction and soil-settlement concerns that, in his view, warrant careful attention and coordination with 811 before digging near pipeline easements. He said he had previously written columns on the topic and urged ongoing vigilance when changes in pipeline product or activity occur. "I have reservations about those lines," he said, adding that pipelines installed decades ago and backfilled by farmland warrant scrutiny.
Separately, the magistrate proposed that the county study and draft an ordinance limiting the release of helium balloons after constituents shared photos and reports of animals that died after ingesting deflated balloons. He asked staff to work with counsel to draft possible language and signaled intent to raise the matter at the state level after he leaves office.
