Some Southwest Memphis residents still are apprehensive – for different reasons – about a proposed crude oil pipeline that would run through parts of Southwest Memphis.
The major concerns focus on residents receiving a fair price for their property and potential environment dangers.
During the fourth informational meeting (Oct. 17) about the Byhalia Pipeline Connection at T.O. Fuller State Park, residents and members of the Boxtown Neighborhood Association once again made their feelings clear about the project.
“I felt like they chose the community of Boxtown, to choose the route of least resistance,” said Lonnie Britton. “They are trying to rent the land from residents. I told them, ‘No, you have deep pockets. Buy the land from residents.’”
If the 45-mile pipeline is approved as proposed, it would run through Boxtown and approximately 650 feet from Double Tree Elementary School in Westwood.
The project is a joint venture of Plains All American Pipeline L.P. and Valero Energy.
Plains All American Pipeline Communications Manager Katie D. Martin issued a statement Wednesday (Oct. 21), regarding Saturday’s meeting:
“Our Byhalia Connection team appreciated the opportunity provided by the Boxtown Neighborhood Association to share information about our project, answer questions, listen to the community’s experiences, and continue our ongoing dialog with the residents of south Memphis,” the statement read.
“We want our neighbors to understand that we’re dedicated to protecting the health and safety of those who live and work near our pipelines, and that we will remain committed to building respectful, long-term relationships with landowners.”
The pipeline connection would impact Southwest Memphis, which includes Boxtown and Westwood, and Whitehaven on its way to Mississippi.
The pipeline would run from the Valero Memphis Refinery off Interstate 55 next door to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.-Riverside Park through DeSoto and Marshall counties in Mississippi.
It would connect the Diamond pipeline with the Capline pipeline to transport light crude oil from storage in Oklahoma to the Gulf Coast.
“I asked how much it is going to cost to construct this pipeline,” said Britton. “They said it will cost $2.5 million per mile. I then asked how much is that oil going to make them. I never did get an answer to that question.”
Other residents have raised concerns about health risks, getting too little for their property and being unable to live somewhere else if they are low-balled on the sale of their land.
“I was born right there on Boxtown Road,” said Britton, who owns five and a half acres. “The mid-wife lived right across the street. A lot of these families have been in the same place for generations. We are willing to sell, but it must be at a good price.”
Britton said he and other long-time residents are not opposed to the pipeline.
“We don’t want to stand in the way of progress,” said Britton. “We have questions because if the pipeline comes through, and we are still here, there are concerns about spills and contamination. But if we can get a good price for our property, then I’m all for the pipeline. We won’t have to worry about those things.”
State Rep. Barbara Cooper attended Saturday’s meeting and expressed her sentiments about the pipeline. The Boxtown community is included in her district.
“I have said to company representatives before to just listen to the people,” Cooper said. “Answer the questions residents have, and if you need to use their land, be fair with the price. But the community belongs to the people. Grants have been given to some organizations, and that is good. Also, spend some of that money here in Boxtown.”
Martin touted the benefits of a pipeline in communities.
“There will be a $2.4 million estimated impact in Shelby County during construction,” said Martin. “Also $500,000 annually in property taxes will support schools and first responders.”
Martin said Plains All American has already given away $450,000 to organizations that support those who live in close proximity to the pipeline’s proposed route.
Among those recipients are: Memphis Branch NAACP, Mid-South Food Bank, Uplift Westwood CDC, SchoolSeed and Regional One.
But, residents in effected communities had questions that Martin and other company representatives could not answer.
“There was a big oil spill in Santa Anna, California” said Linda Street, president of the Walker Homes-West Junction Neighborhood Association. “The oil company paid the city $60 million because it hurt the environment so badly.
“The pipe had corroded and burst. It was a long time before the leak was discovered. What about oil spills here? How will the pipe be checked for spills? Has any research in the area been done? No research has been done.”
Street was present to support adjacent Boxtown residents. She said 32 percent of Boxtown residents are elderly. About 95 percent are African-American. Seniors may not understand everything that is going on, Street said.
“If you don’t have $100, and you are offered $25,000 to run the pipeline through your backyard, that sounds like a whole lot of money,” Street said. “Where are they supposed to go and live for $25,000?”
“Something could go wrong down the road – a spill or something. Families need enough money for their property to move away,” said Britton. “Buy the land outright, and build the pipeline. We’re all for progress.”
Plains All American said it looked at many possible routes and tried to choose the “option with the fewest collective impacts.” It was routed through Southwest Memphis because of Valero’s location.
More than half of the pipeline passes through commercial property to lessen the impact on residential properties, the company’s handout states.
