Oregon Public Broadcasting

Some farmers and landowners in Northwest Oregon are concerned about what two proposed natural gas pipelines would do to agriculture in the region.  Andrew Theen reports.

Governor Ted Kulongoski's natural resources advisor and other local leaders went on a tour of vineyards and farms, and even a school that lies within the proposed route of two natural gas pipelines.

The pipelines even intersect at one point near the town of Gales Creek.

Anne Berblinger owns an organic farm in Gales Creek.   The pipeline proposed by  "Oregon LNG" would run through her farm.  She's upset about it, but believes it ultimately won't happen.

Anne Berblinger: "I'm actually fairly optimistic as more people pay attention that we're going to figure out we can't afford to do this."

Northwest Natural is one of the partners on another project, the Palomar Pipeline.  Company officials say they don't build "willy nilly through people's land."  They say previous projects have preserved farmland successfully.