by Garth Meyer
Lawndale resident Jay Gould received a letter last week from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) stating an “anomaly” had been detected in a jet fuel pipeline under his backyard.
The 20-mile long pipeline runs from the Torrance Refinery to Los Angeles International Airport. The pipeline parallels train tracks, along Metro right of way.
Gould and his neighbors are outspoken opponents of a Metro proposal to extend the C-Line (Green Line) parallel to the train tracks between their Lawndale homes. They prefer the extension run down Hawthorne Boulevard.
Three weeks ago, Gould and his neighbors brought widespread media attention to evidence of a gravesite on the right of way in their neighborhood.
The Metro letter to Gould said that the pipeline anomaly “requires immediate inspection…” and that Gould could be financially responsible for work related to repairing the pipe beneath his yard.
“(Metro) expressly reserves all rights to maintain its right of way now and in the future,” it read. “Including to clear out any additional encroachments and to seek reimbursements of costs from the encroaching party.”
“I don’t want my stuff torn up. I’ve been telling the truth for years,” Gould said, referring to his opposition to the Green Line route, and to the headstones in his neighborhood.
“Now they’re attacking me, because I told the truth, and they don’t like the truth.”
Jose Ubaldo, Metro communications manager/media relations, said it is a coincidence that the pipeline issue was discovered shortly after Gould brought media attention to the headstones.
Ubaldo said ground-penetrating radar will be used to determine if there is a problem with the pipe, and if it needs to be repaired.
“Obviously, if there’s a danger to the public, we’re not going to stand in the way,” Gould’s attorney, Ernesto Aldover said. “(But) this is under Jay’s property and no one else’s? It sounds fishy. What is this anomaly? It feels like they want to rip up his property to make his life hell.”
The Metro letter does not identify the anomaly.
Following media attention to the potential gravesites, the Metro Board of directors — chaired by L.A. Mayor Karen Bass – announced a postponement in its decision on which route to select for the C-line extension.
Metro previously sued Gould, in 2016, for allegedly encroaching on its right of way with a paved patio, deck and retaining wall.
The case was dismissed “with prejudice,” at Metro’s request. (Cases dismissed “with prejudice” may not be refiled.)
Early mornings
On Monday, Oct. 16, Metro officials arrived at Gould’s property at 7 a.m. to survey the right of way (ROW).
Surveyors marked the right of way with an orange line drawn down the middle of Gould’s yard.
On Tuesday, Metro officials returned with a crew assigned to find the pipeline with ground-penetrating radar, and to inspect it.
Gould’s attorney, Aldover, convinced Metro to postpone the inspection, pending further negotiations.
“We said, they could not do any excavation, and we will work with the pipe company (Torrance Logistics), for them to do the inspections and repairs only, and put it all back,” Aldover said.
Lawndale City Manager Sean Moore said Gould may indeed have to pay for the cost of tearing up his large patio if that becomes necessary.
“It’s Metro’s right-of-way. They’re a public entity so costs have to be recouped,” Moore said.
Burlington Northern — Santa Fe Railroad sold Metro the right of way in the 1990s.
City Manager Moore told the Easy Reader that, for decades, permission has been given to residents to encroach on the right of way.
Gould’s house, which he has lived in since 1973, is one of many in the neighborhood to have encroachments. A freight train runs down the middle of the ROW each day.
Lawndale City Manager Sean More. Photo by Kevin Cody
Metro Communications Manager Ubaldo issued the following statement:
On Sept. 28, Metro was notified by Torrance Logistics of an anomaly detected along their pipeline, which runs below ground within the Metro Right of Way located between 17oth Street and Artesia Boulevard in Lawndale.Torrance Logistics will coordinate inspection of the pipeline with Metro, and make any necessary repairs to ensure safety, and comply with local, state and federal guidelines.
The inspection and repairs will involve removing land encroachments that have been previously built in the right of way and are blocking access to the pipeline.
“It feels like (Gould) is being targeted for showing the news crews the gravestones,” attorney Aldover said.
“Over the years, Metro has always been out there. But I have not heard of them going onto a property before,” Lawndale City Manager Moore said.
He has worked for Lawndale since 2016.
“Hopefully they can get in there and fix the pipe without much damage or (displacement),” said Moore.
In February, Gould had a heart attack while addressing Metro representatives during a Lawndale town hall meeting. ER
