[CANUFNET] Fwd: Roots causing damage to Gas and Oil pipelines

[Mead, Mark]

Ray, I would concur. WE have somewhat similar issues with clay sewer lines. The root incursion occurs after the clay has fractured due to soil movement and age, not because of root pressure.
I would be curious to see what level of chemical breakdown occurs due to root proximity at a micro ecological level, most of the coatings are fairly toxic, however, maybe this is a new wave of investigation.

From: canufnet-bounces at list.web.net [mailto:canufnet-bounces at list.web.net] On Behalf Of Philip van Wassenaer
Sent: Friday, November 25, 2011 6:40 AM
To: 'Canadian Urban Forest Network'
Subject: Re: [CANUFNET] Fwd: Roots causing damage to Gas and Oil pipelines

Ray,
In this situation it seems to me that the onus of providing the scientific proof is on them. You should ask them to come up with peer reviewed science that shows this to be true...never, ever heard of this anywhere before.
For a prairie town this seems even more important since trees are hard to establish and maintain....

Philip van Wassenaer, B.SC., MFC
1248 Minnewaska Trail
Mississauga, Ontario
Canada, L5G 3S5
Tel:  (905) 274-1022
Cell: (647) 221 3046
Fax: (905) 274 2170
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www.urbanforestinnovations.com<http://www.urbanforestinnovations.com/>




From: canufnet-bounces at list.web.net<mailto:canufnet-bounces at list.web.net> [mailto:canufnet-bounces at list.web.net] On Behalf Of Ray Morgan
Sent: Wednesday, November 23, 2011 10:41 AM
To: canufnet at list.web.net<mailto:canufnet at list.web.net>
Subject: [CANUFNET] Fwd: Roots causing damage to Gas and Oil pipelines


As per the subject line, I just came back from a meeting with a high profile oil company on how roots of trees/shrubs are decaying/corroding the protective coating on oil and gas pipe lines.
They are saying that because of the moisture content that surrounds the pipes, roots are attracted to this and are now "wrapping" themselves around the lines. They are claiming that this(roots causing damage) is causing the protective coating to decay or corrode, which they say, increases the risk for pipe failure.

The pipeline is situated on a city easement that allows for the current underground oil & gas infrastructure and for future additions, essentially it's a oil and gas easement.
Trees and shrubs have been planted (1989) on this city easement to provide a visual barrier to the industrial and commercial areas of Regina. The company has signed an agreement to this, back in the early 90's.
They are requesting that the plant material be removed because there is a concern that if the roots continue to corrode or decay the coating, this may cause leaks, explosions and loss of life.

This will have a significant impact to other areas of the municipality as there is natural gas, oil and other underground petroleum utilities. This decision could be precedence setting, even for homeowners.
I'll have our legal staff take a look into this and get their input as well.

There is no question that public safety is one of our first priorities here in Regina and that if a tree is of a public safety concern and we've determined this, we will remove it.

My questions are;

1. Has anyone dealt or heard of this concern before?

2. They have verbally indicated this, but I feel they should have data to support this. Is there any documentation out there that supports their claim?

3. If the data/research is there that supports their claim, please pass this onto me.

Much appreciated and look forward to your response,



Ray Morgan
Manager, Forestry, Pest Control &
 Horticulture Branch
Parks and Open Space Department
City Operations Division

P: 306.777-7065
C: 306.531-5119
E: rmorgan at regina.ca<mailto:rmorgan at regina.ca>
 Regina.ca

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