JENNINGS — Jeff Davis Parish police jurors are considering increasing permit fees for pipelines to help them recoup the cost of road damage.

“We have a lot of damaged roads, and we need to make sure we have enough funds to fix them,” Police Jury President Donald Woods said.

The parish is expected to see an influx in pipeline companies, Woods said.

The Police Jury’s ordinance committee will meet at 2:30 p.m. Dec. 4 to consider drafting an ordinance on setting new pipeline permit fees.

Police jurors have said that damage is caused by pipeline companies digging to cross roadways and from heavy equipment used to install the pipelines. An ordinance revised by the Police Jury in December 2003 requires a $500 deposit for the first mile and $500 per mile for the next four miles for pipes less than 8 inches in diameter. If the line is over 8 inches, the cost is $1,000 per mile for the next four miles.  Every additional mile if less than 8 inches in diameter is $250 per mile and $500 per mile for those over 8 inches.

For those lines crossing roadways, an additional cost of $10 per diameter inch of pipe with a minimum deposit of $200 per project is assessed. Lines installed parallel to roadways in rights of way are $100 for less than one mile and $25 for each additional mile.

Additionally, permit and inspection fees are a minimum of $1,000, plus $100 per road crossing and $100 per stream crossing. For lines parallel to rights of way the cost is $50 per mile.

The parish also charges a $100 reinspection fee per road and stream crossing when requirements of the permit aren’t met on the first inspection.

Deposits are required for pipelines and communications and supply lines and must be paid when permit applications are submitted.

(MGNonline)