Meeting being held in Barton County over eminent domain concerns

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – A meeting is currently happening in Barton County to discuss a proposed federal energy corridor through the area.

Residents are concerned that the energy corridor could lead to the federal government buying properties using eminent domain.

The meeting is meant to give residents and leaders more information about this energy corridor, which could become home to power lines to transport electricity.

It’s been in the works for three years, and some Kansas congressional delegates say they’ve been aware of it for that time.

Recently, county leaders in Pawnee, Russell and Barton counties are raising the alarm about the potential change, and are trying to stop it.

Barton County’s commissioners hope to find a way out at tonight’s meeting.

“We briefly heard about it a few months ago, and just more lately when Pawnee County had been discussing it and Russell (County), and we were provided a map,” said Barton County District 2 Commissioner Barb Esfeld.

Local Barton County leaders say they weren’t alerted by federal representatives, some who knew about the project since 2021.

“Had we known earlier, then we could’ve investigated and learned more to see if there’s anything we can do for the citizens of Barton County,” Esfeld said.

One concern has to do with how wide the corridor is.

“We’ve noticed that from Colorado to Kansas to different places, some areas the corridor is very small,” Esfeld said. “Ours is 5 miles. We want to know why.”

Another concern has to do with how it would affect residents.

“We’ve been told that it really won’t benefit the people that live in Barton County,” Esfeld said. “The people that live here will have a lot to give up but won’t be gaining anything.”

Federal delegates said they’re looking for solutions.

“We want to make sure there’s not an overreach coming out of the energy department or EPA… in terms of making a big land grab,” said Rep. Ron Estes, R-Wichita.

Estes said he believes the public comment period for the project was very short.

“More often than not, that gets overturned by the courts when they look at inappropriate processes being used, so we want to make sure that there is an appropriate amount of time to allow people to provide their comments,” Estes said.

Staff from Senators Marshall and Moran’s offices and Representative Tracey Mann’s office are all planning to attend the Barton County meeting to address concerns.

The meeting began at 6 p.m. and is being held at the Great Bend Events Center, 3111 10th Street . For those who cannot attend, the meeting will be livestreamed at this link: https://bit.ly/3SXeQbY . People who join via the link will not be able to join the live discussion.

To learn more about the energy corridor, click here.

Tune into KSN News at 10 for continuing coverage with Payton Steiner.

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