Ohio State to study pipelines’ impact on farmland

WOOSTER, Ohio — A study of how natural gas pipeline installations affect Ohio cropland productivity will begin this fall.

The study, to be overseen by The Ohio State University’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, focuses on soil disturbance caused by statewide pipeline installations. A $200,000 donation from Kinder Morgan Inc. allows the college to begin identifying and sampling soil from farmer fields this fall.

Steve Culman, soil fertility specialist with Ohio State University Extension, will be the project leader.

Over the course of three years, the college will survey and take samples from 50 fields statewide, predominantly in rural areas. Samples will be taken before and after pipeline installation.