VONORE (WATE) – No one likes it when the government threatens eminent domain. In Monroe County a proposed natural gas pipeline has caught the wrath of many local residents.

Monday night, at a meeting room at the Grand Vista Hotel, company representatives from East Tennessee Natural Gas are likely to get an earful from people whose property may be affected by the proposed Loudon Expansion Project. East Tennessee Natural Gas has filed an environmental assessment plan with the federal government and hearings required as the project is under consideration.

The manufacturing company, Tate and Lyle, which makes artificial sweeteners, plans to convert from coal to natural gas. East Tennessee Natural Gas, a subsidiary of Spectra Energy, already has an existing pipeline. They want to bury a 12 inch pipeline ten miles, cutting through the property of about a dozen families in the Lovin Farms Subdivision.

“They want to run the pipeline across our property, down along the highway, taking away all of the tree and vegetation between us and the highway,” said Chris Mueller. Mueller says his serene tree shaded property that he’s spent years developing will be laid barren if the pipeline is approved.

C.H. Thomas said his family, which has lived in the area for three generations, already gave up property when TVA built nearby Tellico Lake. “We understand that the gas company is going to do something, they’re going to put in their gas line somewhere, our point has always been work with us,” said Thomas.

While the proposed line will run directly through Lovin Farms, it will bypass Rarity Bay where there is already a smaller gas line running under the golf course. “They’re just going around a gated community and taking people’s private property when it is totally unnecessary,” said Barry Duckett.

The existing easement goes through the middle of Rarity Bay, according to the plat, the old natural gas line has been there for years. “We pay taxes just like Rarity Bay, our houses aren’t million dollar houses, but to us they are million dollar houses,” said Mike Strickland.

“I want to hear them go back to the existing right of way is what I want to hear,” said Mark Hudson. “They’re chewing us up and we don’t know what our property values are going to wind up being.”

A final decision on the proposed Loudon Expansion Project is expected in late summer. If approved construction on the new pipeline could begin next Spring.