WS Chronicle

Staff Report

The Winston-Salem Chronicle

WINSTON-SALEM, NC — In a narrow 4-3 decision on March 5, 2026, the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners approved an easement agreement with the Transcontinental Gas Pipeline Company (Transco) for a project running through Triad Park. The vote followed intense public opposition and a last-minute increase in the company’s compensation offer.

The Decision and Compensation

The Board approved a resolution authorizing a temporary access road easement, an additional line receipt, and a purchase and construction agreement with Transco. Deputy County Attorney Fred Johnson revealed that after a briefing on the previous Monday, Transco increased its compensation offer from $110,000 to $180,000.
Of that total, $96,000 was contingent on the Board’s approval by March 6th. The revenue will be split between Forsyth and Guilford Counties, as the affected portion of Triad Park is located on the Guilford County side.

Legal Context: Eminent DomainA primary factor in the approval was Transco’s federal authority. Attorney Johnson explained that because the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has already issued a “certificate of public convenience and necessity,” Transco possesses federal eminent domain authority.
“This is a voluntary process; it helps us protect our park,” Johnson stated, noting that if the county had refused, Transco could have initiated a “quick take” federal lawsuit. In such a scenario, the company could begin construction immediately, and the county would only be entitled to “fair market value,” potentially losing the specific protections negotiated in the voluntary agreement.

Negotiated Protections for Triad Park
The approved agreement includes several concessions intended to minimize the impact on the community:
– Trail Access: Specific timelines were established for reopening walking trails.
– Road Closures: Restrictions were placed on the number of hours access roads can be closed.
–  Emergency Access: Transco must ensure emergency vehicles can enter the park at all times.
–  Environmental Impact: County staff noted that the access roads will not affect any large trees; the only trees to be removed are approximately 1.5 acres of “scrub pines” along the existing right-of-way.

Community Opposition
The vote was preceded by strong testimony from residents and environmental advocates. A member of the Piedmont Environmental Alliance urged the Board to “categorically oppose” the project, citing the risk of contaminated watersheds and poor air quality. Other speakers expressed frustration with the “tight timeline” and questioned if $180,000 was truly fair market value for the disruption to a public park.

Commissioner Perspectives

The Board was visibly divided on the issue:
– The Majority (4): Those in favor argued that since the pipeline’s construction was inevitable due to federal law, settling was the only way to secure funding for the county and protections for the park’s infrastructure. Commissioner McDaniel noted, “They’re going to get it anyway… I think we just need to try to help the public understand where we are”.
– The Dissent (3): Commissioners voting “no” expressed deep reluctance. Commissioner Bessie stated that while the county was taking a risk in litigation, “so would the company,” suggesting Transco might have been pushed further. Vice Chair Whisenhunt, while moving the approval, acknowledged the difficulty of the choice.
The project is expected to move forward quickly, with Transco indicating they intend to begin work within weeks.

Full Meeting Video: Board of County Commissioners Meeting – Mar 05, 2026