In the last month, some Papillion homeowners have received letters from Northern Natural Gas Company detailing plans to clear the pipeline easement of any trees, bushes, or debris starting in 2026.In a conversation with KETV, the company said the removal process is to meet national standards from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. Northern Natural Gas would not confirm how many customers will be affected, or how much of the pipeline route will be cleared.”Work will include the removal of trees, brush, and other woody vegetation that may interfere with pipeline operations, inspections, or access. These activities are essential to maintaining the safety, operational integrity, and accessibility of the pipeline system,” Britany Shotkoski, deputy general counsel for Northern Nebraska Gas Company, said in a statement.One homeowner expressed frustration with the letter after living with the pipeline in his backyard for 22 years.”I understand that if there’s something wrong right here, come in and cut the tree down. But cut 1800 miles of pipeline, just clear-cut all the trees out of the way, and then spray an herbicide to kill everything? That seems over overkill,” Jett Curtis said.Curtis said at least four trees in his backyard fall within the width of the easement, according to the letter. He has spoken several times with Northern Nebraska Gas and called elected officials about the project. “I mean, that’s a 50-foot easement. That’s 25-foot in my yard and 25-foot of the neighbor’s yard. And whatever’s growing is going to be cut down,” Curtis said.Curtis said he didn’t want to tell his wife about the letter because of the memories the backyard holds.”This is her sanctuary. She called it. We she sits on the porch, and it was kind of like a tree house up there. So now I got to tell her today,” he said. “All the Easter egg hunts, all the, you know, my grandkids put on plays down here.”He said the hardest part is that there’s little he can do about it.”There’s nothing they can do. I mean, it’s a federal agency. It’s an easement. They have access. They’re legally allowed to do what they want to do,” Curtis said.Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
In the last month, some Papillion homeowners have received letters from Northern Natural Gas Company detailing plans to clear the pipeline easement of any trees, bushes, or debris starting in 2026.
In a conversation with KETV, the company said the removal process is to meet national standards from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. Northern Natural Gas would not confirm how many customers will be affected, or how much of the pipeline route will be cleared.
“Work will include the removal of trees, brush, and other woody vegetation that may interfere with pipeline operations, inspections, or access. These activities are essential to maintaining the safety, operational integrity, and accessibility of the pipeline system,” Britany Shotkoski, deputy general counsel for Northern Nebraska Gas Company, said in a statement.
One homeowner expressed frustration with the letter after living with the pipeline in his backyard for 22 years.
“I understand that if there’s something wrong right here, come in and cut the tree down. But cut 1800 miles of pipeline, just clear-cut all the trees out of the way, and then spray an herbicide to kill everything? That seems over overkill,” Jett Curtis said.
Curtis said at least four trees in his backyard fall within the width of the easement, according to the letter. He has spoken several times with Northern Nebraska Gas and called elected officials about the project.
“I mean, that’s a 50-foot easement. That’s 25-foot in my yard and 25-foot of the neighbor’s yard. And whatever’s growing is going to be cut down,” Curtis said.
Curtis said he didn’t want to tell his wife about the letter because of the memories the backyard holds.
“This is her sanctuary. She called it. We she sits on the porch, and it was kind of like a tree house up there. So now I got to tell her today,” he said. “All the Easter egg hunts, all the, you know, my grandkids put on plays down here.”
He said the hardest part is that there’s little he can do about it.
“There’s nothing they can do. I mean, it’s a federal agency. It’s an easement. They have access. They’re legally allowed to do what they want to do,” Curtis said.
Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.
NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |