T-L Photo/ ROBERT A. DEFRANK Gulfport Energy representatives appear before St. Clairsville City Council during a special meeting Tuesday regarding the installation of a water line for fracking near the Ohio Valley Mall. From left are Brett Marlow and Randy Wehler, land managers; and Bob Watkins of McDonald Land Services. St. C council considers water line proposal

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — City council held a special meeting Tuesday to hear a proposal from Gulfport Energy, requesting to place an above-ground portable waterline across city property behind Memorial Park in St. Clairsville.

The line would be for the purpose of fracking beneath 640 acres known as the Barton unit, located behind the Ohio Valley Mall. The line would be almost 1,400 feet long. Mayor Terry Pugh said in lieu of a payment of $3,000, when the company has finished with the line, it will reclaim the area by installing a nature walk trail connecting to the municipal park.

“It’s a plus-plus for the community,” Pugh said, adding the park board was in favor of the proposal.

Brett Marlow, land manager for Gulfport, said the company wants to begin initial steps toward the project by June 20, so they brought the matter before council in an informative session before the next meeting on June 19. If council is satisfied with the proposal by that time, members will pass an ordinance on an emergency basis.

Marlow said Gulfport intends to have the line operating by the end of the month. The use of the line should be completed and the reclamation begun within a year.

The Barton unit includes multiple wells.

Pugh added this could benefit the city by cutting down the number of trucks hauling water on U.S. 40 and Barton Road.

“That’s the first major plus for the city,” he said, adding he believed residents will enjoy the proposed nature trail.

The trail would be a half-mile to 1 mile in length and almost 8 feet wide. It would pass one of the waterfalls in the area.

The agreement specifies that no tree with a diameter larger than four inches would be cut down. The right-of-way used for the line would be 25 feet.

Marlow added the water line would be 12 inches in diameter and personnel would respond immediately in the event of a malfunction. He said it would be a sufficient distance from residences to prevent any houses from being impacted by the fresh water from the line.

“We do monitor our lines and our pumps,” he said. “There’s always a presence around it.”