The below article was written by Charles Holdefer, an Iowan who is currently residing in Brussels and is a published author and teacher at the University of Poitiers in France. You can see photos of Charles’ family’s land below.
My father grew up on a farm in Jasper County, Iowa, as did his father. As did HIS father. Through two world wars and a depression, it was not deemed necessary for “public good” to force them to give up their land, although other sacrifices were made, e.g., my father spent almost two years of his life in a VA hospital after World War II.
Now property owned by my brother and his wife in Jasper County is supposedly subject to eminent domain to promote the “public good.” Are we really supposed to believe that the current situation is more grave than the challenges of the past, and that this historically unprecedented measure is necessary? Or, if serving the “public good” is really the goal (?), that we must entrust it to an out-of-state private company?
I am reminded of the U.S. Constitution, whose reference in the Fifth Amendment to taking private property mentions only “public use.”
If Energy Transfer Partners (or any other company) wants to do business, let them respect the private market, like other Iowa businesses. Why should the state of Iowa serve as both their crutch and their enforcer?
This is no time for short-cuts or political expediency.
Out of respect for constitutional principles and for previous generations of Iowans who have lived on this land, I urge everyone to actively oppose the Bakken Pipeline by submitting a letter of objection to the Iowa Utilities Board.
Charles Holdefer
Holdefer family land impacted by the proposed pipeline:
The backyard of the Holdefer home west of Mingo provides the simple pleasures of garden produce, croquet, and sunsets. The proposed Bakken pipeline route cuts directly through this property.
A native Iowa catalpa tree, in full bloom in May, greets visitors to the Holdefer home west of Mingo. The proposed Bakken pipeline route cuts directly through this property.
In early spring, from the backyard of the Holdefer home west of Mingo, the neighbor’s well-tended farmland promises bounty. The use of this land, as well as of the Chichaqua Valley Trail flanked by rows of trees visible in the distance, would also be disrupted during pipeline construction.