BOLD Nebraska along with 15 other groups have written the State Department outlining concerns regarding the Keystone Pipeline project proposed to cross Nebraska.  The State Department is currently working on their Environmental Impact Statement for the project.  BOLD Nebraska’s Ben Gotschall says one of their major concerns is the need for a water analysis study.

Gotschall says that’s because the proposed pipeline crosses East Verdigree Creek which feeds Growth Lake and its lake trout rearing station. He says another concern is the need for a study on the cumulative effects of carbon pollution.

He says the map defining the Sandhills route Keystone will be using is inadequate. Gotschall says Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality used an Eco Regions map which marks what’s above ground, not underneath where the pipeline will be.  Gotschall says a hydrogeologic map should have been used which shows soil and groundwater.