Permits issued for new gas pipeline
The Barton County Engineering Office has issued nine utility permits for the ONEOK pipeline project in the northern part of the county, according to County Engineer Barry McManaman.
The Tulsa, Okla.-based natural gas pipeline company is constructing the Elk Creek Pipeline that includes the gas processing plant in Rice County. Of the 900 miles covered by the project, 230 will cross 10 counties in Kansas, and 27 of those will pass through northern Barton County.
In January, the company announced plans to build the $1.4 billion 20-inch pipeline system to move natural gas liquids, according to a company news release. These include such products as propane, ethane and butane.
The pipeline is designed to transport up to 240,000 barrels per day, but will have the capability to be expanded to 400,000 bpd with additional pump facilities, the company reports.
Construction started this summer and it is expected to be operational by the end of 2019.
The Barton County Road and Bridge Department started sealing county blacktops on Aug. 13. The plan is to wrap up by next week, but the recent rains may hinder this, Count Works Director Darren Williams said.
The crews started at Radium Road (SW 50 Avenue) and are moving east to the Rice County line. To date they have sealed 80 miles.
After the sand-sealing is done, they broom off the excess sand to prepare the roads for paint striping. The outside company that does the striping is supposed to began first part of October.
The department reseals or surfaces these roads on a four- or five-year cycle. The number of miles each year is in part based on the price of oil which impacts the cost of the asphalt.
This year, the focus is the southeast and south central parts of the county. The plans included sand-sealing 95 miles and overlaying 35 miles with new asphalt.
The overlaying is done, but if weather permits, Williams said his people will do some patching this fall.
The overlay costs between $45,000 and $50,000 per mile, and the sand-seal costs about $9,500 per mile. In all 25,000 tons of cold-mix asphalt and oil will be used.
County Engineer Barry McManaman
• Krier Dozer Service is working on the final grading and placement of rock at the new bridge on East Barton County Road, however the recent rains may delay this. Engineering technician Sean Kelly has been performing inspection duties.
• Cartographer Bj Wooding participated in webinars for the NextGen 911 processes.
• Provided information to the design firm for the 2019 High Risk Rural Roads signing project.
• Reviewed bridge inspection recommendations for signing on various bridges and started work on a plan of action.
• Worked on the Cow Creek Floodplain remapping project via phone calls and emails with the Kansas Division of Water Resources. A new resolution to adopt the map will be presented to the County Commission sometime later this year.
County Works
• Mowing crew been around the Claflin area moving west.
• Noxious Weed – crews are busy spraying bind weed around the county and have started spraying on the Johnson grass.
Environmental Manager Judy Goreham
• The next regular meeting of the Barton County Planning Commission will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 11, in the Barton County Courthouse first floor conference room. The public is invited to attend.
• Total permits issued during this period – 31
Septic system permits – 11
Water well permits – 14
Building permits – six
Emergency Risk Manager Amy Miller
On Aug. 14, the Barton County Local Emergency Planning Committee, sponsored by Barton County Emergency Management, held its third meeting of 2018.
The Committee reviewed Emergency Support Function Number 10, which deals with oil and hazardous materials, and discussed the decontamination capabilities of local hospitals in the event of a hazardous materials event.
Miller discussed a recent planning meeting for the Central Kansas Wetlands Contingency Plan, which includes Cheyenne Bottoms and Quivira National Wildlife Refuge. The wetlands plan was developed to respond to a hazardous chemical spill or release within the confines of the two wildlife areas.
Miller informed the committee members about training that was conducted by FEMA for faith communities on Aug. 8 in Wichita. FEMA provided materials for faith communities to encourage individual and family preparedness within houses of workshop.
The steps for preparing emergency plans for houses of workshop were also discussed.
County Treasurer Jim Jordan
Barton County Treasurer’s Office handled:
• 2,696 registration renewals
• Titled 73 vehicle
• Added liens to 48 vehicles
• Issued 63 permits
• Issued 36 disabled placards.
All banking is current and up to date.
Juvenile Services Director Marissa Woodmansee
• Juvenile Intake and Assessment has completed 23 intakes since Aug. 2.
• Juvenile Intensive Supervised Probation and Case Management is currently supervising 45 youth post adjudication with an additional six on pre-adjudication supervision.
• Project Stay is the Case Management program for youth who have truancy issues and currently provides Case Management for 16 youth in the 20th Judicial District.
• Immediate Intervention (Diversion Supervision) has 29 youth currently participating.
