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Landowners press commissioners to protect private property and limit eminent-domain use
Summary
Landowners and residents told the board that the pipeline threatens private-property rights, lowers property values, and that Enbridge has used surveys and litigation in ways residents described as coercive; they asked commissioners to oppose the project and protect local land-use rights.
Multiple landowners described receiving survey notices, legal threats and in some cases lawsuits from Enbridge or its agents. Speakers argued that permanent easements reduce property values and constrain future land use and asked the commission to use its voice to minimize eminent-domain outcomes and support voluntary agreements.
"Prove us wrong by protecting our agriculture zoning property from Enbridge's attempt to place an industrial corridor across our zoned province," John Alderman said, asking the county to modify ordinances to require conditional-use permits similar to neighboring counties. Danny Keck and others argued a pipeline built primarily to power a data center does not constitute public use and urged the county to hold the company to legal standards for eminent domain.
Speakers noted local lawsuits and claimed surveyors used intimidating tactics; they asked the board to consider protective ordinances, to document harms for future regulatory records, and to explore legal strategies to limit property takings.
