Iroquois Pipeline Operating Co

[captgriz]

  From the Watertown Daily Times Carthage/Lowville section dated July 12, 2011

  A Letter to the Lewis County Community

  The Iroquois Pipeline Operating Company would like to take this opportunity to provide our neighbors with a important message regarding its property in the towns of Turin and West Turin.

  Iroquois realizes there are many visitors and residents in Lewis County that enjoy the recreational use of ATVs and snowmobiles. However, Iroquois' position has always been to not allow these vehicles access to any of its right-of-way or other properties because "of the potential impact to the environment that can occur."  Due to special circumstances, Iroquois was willing to consider granting limited access across its parcel of land between Burdick's Crossing and Belmont Street. In  that regard, late last year we began discussions with Lewis County officials for the possibility of allowing such access for snowmobiles only.

  While iroquois' offer was under consideration by the County for some time, unfortunately negotiations were unsuccessful.  As a direct result, we had no alternative but to permanently close off this property for public access. We regret any inconvenience this closing may cause; however, "safety and concern for the environment are of high priority for Iroquois."

  Iroquois remains "committed to being a good corporate neighbor through its dedication to safety and its ongoing support of environmental and recreational  initiatives in its pipeline communities."
  Sincerely,

Iroquois Pipeline Operating Company

The quotes have been installed by me and are not the intent of the article, so what do you think of a ATV and snowmobile trail existing on a railbed of a no longer existing railroad which was built over a century ago with no impact? 

[mirageags]

what a bunch of A- holes. they have no concern for the environment, the trail already exists, and has been there forever. there is nothing to "hurt" except the local ATV riding community, and money spent in lyons falls by that community.

when i was down there, i could have gotten around thier pathetic gate install. we got around two of them first. all i had to do was go around through the drive in through the tall grass. then we came to another one up the trail but a bike could easily have just gone around it. the only reason i didnt is i did not want to get in trouble for tresspassing again. on the way back, i just barred the bike through the 1 ft opening.
 so we went into the town of lyons falls via lyons falls rd instead and nobody cared. we drove right through town on both bikes, and a sherriff drove right by us and did not even care.

all they are really going to see come out of this is illegal riding im sure, around those gates. they are better off just working with lewis county, there was no reason not to, the trail already exists. sounds like they are trying to suck on the tree hugger teat instead. the snowmobiles will find another way to go, and the atv's will follow.

[JoeR]

It's a shame.  The ATV Trails have already proven to be a great benefit to the local economy.  Unfortunately big companies can be tough to deal with, especially when their legal departments get involved.  They won't do ANYTHING that would increase their liability.  Frivolous lawsuits brought by winners of the Darwin Awards will always hurt trail access(and lots of other stuff too).  I don't know if that's why negotiations broke down with them, but it's a fair guess.  Anyone know for sure what their sticking point was?  It would be interesting to find out.

Joe

[himiler]

   I wonder what there time frame is for the pipe in the ground as far as there contract ROW ?  Is there some loop/pool that might be found to leverage them in a another direction?  Time for being nice sounds like it's over.