Wetland finding forces regulator-station relocation; Kinder Morgan project manager replaced, board told

The Kemper County Utility District on June 18 heard that Kinder Morgan replaced its prior project manager and that Kinder Morgan’s environmental consultant identified a damp area at the planned regulator station that was classified as wetlands, requiring relocation of the regulator station.

In a written update, Terrell Temple said the Kinder Morgan environmental consultant “found a damp spot - after a rain - that he classified as wetlands.” Temple explained that because of the delineation, the regulator station must be moved north out of the wetland area; the revised alignment will run northerly parallel to the gas line and then cross the gas line perpendicular to the relocated regulator station.

Temple noted a recent Supreme Court decision narrowing Corps jurisdiction to Waters of the United States (WOTUS) and said Mississippi must finalize its regulations before assuming responsibility; he added that, in his view, the site did not qualify as WOTUS. The relocation will require TVA approval, a new topographic survey, and site grading design before construction work can proceed.

Temple also reported Kinder Morgan had replaced an inexperienced prior project manager with a more experienced manager, which he said should help move the metering‑station work forward. The board did not take formal action on the regulator relocation at the June 18 meeting.