Three Rivers Reduces Impact of Pipeline
November 17, 2009

Northern Natural Gas Company (NNG) has begun an expansion of its natural gas pipeline that intersects Lake Rebecca Park Reserve in western Hennepin County. The expansion involves the abandonment of one current pipeline and the construction of a new, larger pipeline. NNG has owned and operated pipelines in the park and adjoining area since the 1960s. Federal approval for the gas pipeline was not in contention, but Three Rivers Parks was able to work with NNG to re-route the work zone to minimize the impact on the park trees and environment.

The gas line approximately parallels County Road 50 from the southwest corner of the park near the intersection of County Road 11 and continues to East Lake Rebecca Road.  The new agreement allows NNG to extend the pipeline north along East Lake Rebecca Road and then east, parallel to the Soo Line Railroad, to County Road 92.

The pipeline construction will require the removal of all trees in the 4.25-mile corridor that is approximately 30 yards wide. Tree removal will begin on November 18, and will take approximately two weeks to complete. “The loss of trees is unfortunate, but we worked closely with Northern Natural Gas to minimize the environmental impact, keeping the total loss to about two percent of the trees in the park” said John Barten, Director of Natural Resources Management for Three Rivers Park District. NNG’s original preferred route would have taken the pipeline project on a more direct route through the heart of the park and would have crossed through Lake Rebecca’s forest sanctuary, including an area that the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has classified as having statewide significance for biological diversity. “We appreciate the fact that they were willing to take a less direct route through the park and allow us to protect more critical habitat,” Barten said.

Grading of the pipeline corridor is scheduled for early December. Because the pipeline corridor intersects the horse trail and the hiking and biking trail at several points, these trails will be impacted by the use of heavy equipment. For safety reasons, park guests should expect temporary closures along these trails during construction. Compensation from NNG for the route through the park is being negotiated and will be used toward reforestation of the pipeline route. 

Anticipated Trail Closures

Please observe all posted signs. View map of trail closures.

• Horse Trail - The portion of the horse trail east of East Lake Rebecca Road paralleling the railroad tracks to County Road 92 and the portion of the horse trail going west from the horse trailer parking lot and south to County Road 11 will be closed until late spring or summer 2010.  The designated winter horse trail is expected to remain open.
• Snowmobile Trail - Closed for the 2009-10 season.
• Hiking and biking trails - Will experience intermittent temporary closures.