That “motorway” among the woods to transport the gas

"They’re ruining the landscape, they’re making a motorway in the woods.” The readers’ comments on the cutting of the woods in Arsago Seprio are scathing. And the very visible intervention also gives way to some questions; where does the methane pipeline lead to? How will the woods look like at the end of the intervention?

First of all, the project we are talking about is the new methane pipeline by Snam, between Somma Lombardo and Besnate, to be built with the aim of reinforcing the flow of gas from the main conduit (Veruno-Vedano), towards the hill area. According to the documents by "Snam Rete Gas", the intervention has planned a conduit of 5.9 km, a pipe of 300 mm located at 90 cm of depth; the route is winding (in order to follow differences in level and, partially, the existing farm "viability"). It crosses the woods from the Somma-Vergiate border up to Besnate, in the heart of the natural area which is much more evidently injured by the A26 motorway.

The Region, the Province, Ticino Park, as well as the "Soprintendenza ai Beni Culturali" (the regional board of the ministry of cultural heritage and environmental conservation, since the project also implicates historical buildings such as the little church of SS. Cosma and Damiano in Arsago) have all expressed their views on the project, on the parts of their competence. The Communes were asked last, that is, according to the mayors, when negotiations with the owners of farmlands and woodlands had already started. Most owners have signed the transfer of their land-lease in a friendly manner, and they opposed the project in just a few cases. Among these, furthermore, there is also the Comune of Arsago Seprio, which owns a piece of land over the route. "We have not signed, and they have expropriated it." confirms mayor Claudio Montagnoli. For what concerns the future of the areas that are being deforested today, they will purportedly be sown in meadows (before February), and partly replanted. "The plan is to replant before next autumn." adds Montagnoli.