The Allegheny National Forest Bradford Ranger District has approved a special use right of way for a Catalyst Energy, Inc. natural gas pipeline in Pleasant Township.
Bradford District Ranger Macario Herrera approved the plan on June 12 for a 2,000-foot pipeline that will run parallel to Forest Route 169 in Pleasant Township. The pipeline right-of-way will be 15 feet wide and pipe will be buried along the road five feet from an existing ditch.
"The pipeline right-of-way is necessary for this company to extract and market their petroleum product from their mineral lease," Herrera said in the decision memo.
According to Herrera, the "decision, with impacts limited to the immediate area of activity, would not affect ANF Wilderness Areas."
"Approximately one-half acre of tree cutting (20 trees) and soil disturbance would occur, respectively," Herrera said. "This decision would be implemented through issuance of a Special Use authorization that meets the requirements of the decision and Forest Service regulations. Forest Service regulations require the applicant to pay any necessary fees; post any necessary bonds; and secure any state or federal permits or authorizations required by law."
The project is not located in or near a floodplain, a wetland, a National Recreation Area and will not affect ANF Wilderness Areas or Wilderness Study Areas, Herrea said.
The decision to permit the pipeline is also consistent with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act, the National Forest Management Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Clean Water Act, Federal Cave Resources Protection Act, the National Historic Preservation Act and the Archaeological Resources Act.