COLUMBUS - Marathon Ashland Petroleum doesn't want to have to notify the state each time it performs what it considers minor maintenance on its fuel pipeline under public land.
The new 149-mile pipeline _ from Kenova, W.Va., across the Ohio River to Columbus _ carried its first fuel last month, and is expected to be running at full capacity later this month or early next.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources is currently reviewing a company request submitted last month, which one official called unusual.
We want to make sure that we're protecting our properties from activities that would be detrimental
said ODNR Deputy Director Scott Zody, adding that his staff didn't recall ever receiving a similar request.
Marathon said it has such an arrangement with the 11 other states where its pipelines run. In a letter dated Dec. 17, Marathon Compliance Manager Terry Busching said the arrangement would streamline work that doesn't threaten the environment.
Zody said Marathon is required to notify the department at least 48 hours before nonroutine maintenance on state land. Neither state officials nor the company would disclose a full list of state lands crossed by the pipeline. 17
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