The Ypsilanti, Michigan Township Park Commission passed a resolution on April 3 opposing the construction of the Nexus natural gas pipeline through Michigan

The Nexus pipeline is being constructed by Enbridge, Inc., a Canadian corporation.  The pipeline will be used to distribute natural gas from the Appalachians to Ohio, Michigan, Illinois and Ontario. Natural gas would be supplied by fracking in the Appalachians, a process that will destroy sensitive natural areas.  The majority of fracked gas will be going to Canada, and the pipeline has the potential to irreversibly destroy waterways that feed directly into the Great Lakes. 

The resolution was submitted by Shauna McNally, a newly elected Green member and Vice Chair of the Ypsilanti Township Park Commission. Download the resolution as a PDF.

The Resolution

Resolution Opposing NEXUS Gas Transmission Pipeline Construction in Ypsilanti Charter Township Parks

Where as the NEXUS Gas Transmission Pipeline is currently planed for construction through Ypsilanti Charter Township. This pipeline is part of an international project to transport Appalachian shale gas obtained by fracking to Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, with an ultimate end destination of Ontario, Canada which will receive the majority of the natural gas.

Where as the proposed pathway will go directly under South Hydro Park, below the Huron River. This proposed route will jeopardize sensitive natural areas and waterways, such as the Huron River watershed, Ford Lake and Belleville Lake. The proposed NEXUS route runs dangerously close to residential areas and schools; future leaks will harm the citizens we have been elected to represent, as well as the public parks and waterways available to our community.

Be it Resolved that for these reasons, we, the Park Commission of Ypsilanti Township, are of the opinion that there should be no excavation or installation in Ypsilanti Township Parks. This project will harm public spaces and sensitive natural resources for the private gain of Enbridge Inc., a company based in Alberta, Canada, which is currently Canada´s largest natural gas distributor .

Motion passed at the April 3rd 2017 Meeting of the Ypsilanti Township Park Commission