STLToday.com
Rocks as big as hubcaps called combine killers are what sits on the surface of farmland in Green County, Illinois as a result of the Spire STL Pipeline. Foot-deep gullies scar areas of farmland where crops used to grow along with piles of debris.
Years after the pipeline began delivering gas to the St. Louis region, Illinois farmers claim its construction damaged portions of their land making it impossible to grow crops and dangerous to run farm machinery through. A consultant representing landowners said he is aware of about 40 damaged properties. Spire is pushing to dispel the latest petition stating that it hasn’t violated any laws or regulations. The company added that it will “continue to work in good faith by being proactive and transparent in resolving outstanding restoration concerns.”
When the pipeline was put into the ground, the topsoil and the lower-quality lighter soil beneath were supposed to be kept in separate piles and then dropped back into place. But that didn’t happen correctly in some places leading to drainage and erosion problems washing the topsoil away. One farmer had some of the most productive farmland in the state, even winning awards before the pipeline was built across his land. “They’ve destroyed the productivity,” Gettings said.