Carrie Jennings
Minnesota Geological Survey
2642 University Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55114-1057
(612) 627-4780, ext. 220
carrie@umn.edu

Subject: Pipeline, Eureka Twp. and organic farming

Dear Judge Heydinger,
 
I am sure that you know what all of the topics in my subject heading have in common.  
 
I am a geologist as well as a Eureka Twp resident. .  I live within walking distance of the Diffley farm and have mapped the geology of Dakota and surrounding counties.  I would probably be the geologist contacted if there were questions about the subsoil along the pipeline route.  I know how important it is to get natural resources to refineries and markets but also know of the unique soil qualities at the Diffley’s Gardens of Eagan farm that have been carefully amended over years of organic farming practices.    
 
All of this experience helps me to assert that this pipeline route could be shifted north or south with no great hardship to the refinery or oil producer.  However, keep the route where it is, running through the middle of an organic farm that has already been forced to move once because of development pressure, and you will be sacrificing something that has been very hard won, is not easily recreated, and would most likely represent the end of a livelihood for the Diffleys. Is that really the path that Minnesotans should be taking?  Irreparably scar one of our prized examples of sustainable local organic farms?  Now that you are aware of this conflict, I am sure that you agree that  we cannot allow this to happen.   
 
Sincerely,

Dr. Carrie Jennings
Minnesota Geological Survey
2642 University Ave.
St.  Paul, MN 55114-1057
(612) 627-4780, ext. 220
carrie@umn.edu