Town, Atmos at odds over tree removal

Plans by Atmos Pipeline-Texas to remove a large number of trees in Flower Mound drew the ire of Texas Senator Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound) this week.

And just wait until more tree conservationists in Flower Mound hear the plan.

Monday, representatives from Atmos Pipeline-Texas explained to the Flower Mound Town Council why they are proposing to clear a large number of trees throughout the town to enhance safety and to better survey part of its high-pressure transmission pipeline system.

The pipeline itself runs 6,000 miles, spanning from the Red River to Houston and from West Texas to Carthage in East Texas. It provides natural gas to Atmos Energy Corporation Mid-Tex Division customers and CoServ customers.

Flower Mound's portion of the pipeline equates to about 12 miles. The path starts near the Lakeside Business District in the southern end of town, and travels north through The Sanctuary, the Wellington subdivision and Tour 18 Golf Course. The Sanctuary is the first conservation neighborhood the town created and contains many old trees.

The original plan called for clear cutting to begin Nov. 1, and after breaking for the holidays, tree removal would continue after the first of the year.

After hearing concerns from the council, Charles Yarborough, vice president of rates and regulatory affairs for Atmos Pipeline-Texas, said Atmos would postpone its plans until discussions between his company and the town staff could take place to try and find a middle ground.

But before that agreement, tensions were high over the idea of so many trees being destroyed.

Yarborough said the tree removal is necessary to allow utility officials access to the pipeline, which is 24 inches in diameter and operates with a pressure up to 602 psi. He said the tree removal would make it easier to patrol and conduct gas leak surveys.

"We need to get to that pipeline in case it needs maintenance quickly," Yarborough said. "Taking time to cut down the trees could hinder a response to an emergency situation by days as opposed to hours."

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Town, Atmos at odds over tree removal