Oct. 17--The wooded path that leads from Matt Baum's home to Chimney Rock in Hellam Township is strewn with leaves, stones and the occasional low-hanging branch.

Baum knows the short route well enough that he doesn't need to watch his step.

Once at Chimney Rock, an outcropping of boulders that seconds as a local landmark, Baum quickly jumps on to the formation and, from the high vantage point, surveys the rest of his property.

There's little doubt that Baum knows his way around Chimney Rock.

What Baum doesn't know is what that formation -- which he says is about 550 million years old -- is worth.

And that's the answer that Baum said he has sought from both state and Spectra Energy officials for nearly a year.

Pipeline near Baum's property

Within the next two months, Spectra Energy is hopeful that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will authorize the company's plan to build a natural gas pipeline from Ohio to Pennsylvania, said Marylee Hanley, a Spectra spokeswoman.

About 30 miles of that pipeline would run from Lancaster County through southern York County.

Under Spectra's proposed plan, the pipeline would stretch from Lancaster County, under the Susquehanna River, and through municipalities such as Hellam, Lower Windsor and Chanceford townships, ultimately connecting with an existing pipeline in southern York County.

If approved by the commission, construction of the line would start next spring.

About 97 percent of the pipeline would run parallel to existing rights-of-way for power lines.

One of those rights-of way borders Baum's property.

Spectra's proposed plan calls for the pipeline to run about 300 feet east of Chimney Rock, Baum said.

However, Baum's concern is that the vibrations generated by any blasting conducted in the course of installing the pipeline may damage Chimney Rock, he said.

"I want a written statement of value that would put a value on Chimney Rock should they damage the rock," Baum said. "This property is my investment. Why should the gas company come in and ruin my investment."

Asked about Baum's request, Hanley said the company does not publicly discuss information concerning impacted land owners and that Spectra's proposed pipeline route is not on Baum's property.

Last spring, Spectra Energy and state officials visited Baum's property to examine Chimney Rock.

Soon after that visit, Jim Shaulis stated in a letter to Spectra's engineering firm that his agency did not feel that construction of the pipeline would degrade the site.

Shaulis is the senior geological scientist with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources -- Bureau of Topographic Geologic Survey.

"If controlled blasting is required in this area, Texas Eastern's blasting plan will be designated to minimize potential vibrations in the area of the Chimney Rock Pinnacle feature," according to a letter drafted by Spectra's engineering firm.

Texas Eastern is subsidiary of Spectra Energy.

A geo-heritage group within the bureau of topographic geologic survey is evaluating the significance of Chimney Rock, Shaulis said.

In general, the group evaluates a site's historical, cultural, ecological, educational and aesthetic value.

The group forwards its evaluations to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, which often uses that information to determine what construction methods may be used around a site that would cause the least amount of disturbance, Shaulis said.

"We value Chimney Rock and we want it to be preserved," he said. "I'm hopeful things will be resolved there. Those rocks are so interesting to look at."

Shaulis said the group could complete its evaluation of the site in the coming weeks.

sadkins@ydr.com; 771-2047

Also of interest --Hellam Township's Chimney Rock threatened: 'Time is short'

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