A coalition hoping to stop a proposed high-pressure gas pipeline from Coos Bay to Malin plans a public meeting Saturday in Medford to show others how they can get involved.

"The fact is, this project is not needed in Oregon," said Dan Serres, one of the coalition's organizers, noting the gas would be piped down into California from Malin in an already existing pipeline. "This is essentially a California-driven scheme. That's where the customers are."

The session to discuss the roughly 225-mile project through Oregon will be from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday in the Medford public library, 205 S. Central Ave., Medford.

Estimated to cost between $700 million and $850 million, the Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline would be used to ship liquefied natural gas from the yet-to-be-built Jordan Cove Terminal in Coos Bay.

Spearheading the 3-foot-diameter buried pipeline project is Williams Northwest Pipeline of Salt Lake City, whose representatives say the project is safe and not a threat to the environment or landowners.

But members of the Southern Oregon Clean Energy Coalition, which is organizing the Medford meeting, disagree.

"One of the lead issues for Southern Oregonians is the potential of having their private property taken by eminent domain," said Serres. The firm has acknowledged it would resort to eminent domain if there is no other alternative.

Serres, a member of the Grants Pass-based Friends of Living Waters, noted the pipeline would cross five major rivers and dozens of streams, potentially putting them in jeopardy.

"But it isn't just an environmental issue," he stressed. "Our coalition is made up of environmental groups, landowners and people concerned about public safety.

"Pretty much anyone who is not going to benefit directly from this is against it," he added. "People from all sides, whether they want to use the land for habitat or timber, are concerned."

Saturday's session is intended to inform and educate, he said.

"If people get organized and band together, they can stop it," he said.

Jody McCaffree of Coos Bay, a member of the coalition and of Citizens Against the Liquefied Natural Gas project, agreed.

One of her main concerns is that once the liquefied gas arrives at the terminal, it will be heated to a gaseous form before being placed in the pipeline and shipped to Malin.

"The hazard zone created by the pressurized gas is very significant," she said, noting it may pose a danger to nearby residents as well as forests.

"I've never been involved in something like this,' said McCaffree, a homemaker who works part-time for a disabled person. "But people have to do something. We're fighting big energy here."

In addition to the Medford session, a similar meeting will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Canyonville Youth Center, First and Pine streets, Canyonville.

Meanwhile, the company on Tuesday announced it had selected a preferred route through the Coos Bay area, according to spokeswoman Michele Swaner in Salt Lake City.

No preliminary routes have been decided for Douglas, Jackson or Klamath counties, she said.

"We're still working on those reroutes," she said. "After we file with the FERC early next year we will release maps of those."

The preliminary route must be first filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission as part of the certificate application, after which there will be hearings, environmental impact reviews and comment periods.

The preliminary Coos Bay route originates from the north spit and parallels the shipping channel underwater, tying into the land route near Coos River, she said.

"We listened to comments in meetings and worked with oyster growers in the area," she said. "They helped us understand the issue and find the best route."

Last August, U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Springfield, wrote to FERC urging that it avoid using eminent domain to establish a route for a proposed natural gas pipeline and instead stick to existing rights of way on public lands. FERC will make the final decision on the pipeline route.

J. Mark Robinson, director of the Office of Energy Projects in Washington, D.C., responded that the commission is exploring existing utilities routes, "looking everywhere to find the least intrusive path, so as to minimize conflicts."

Reach reporter Paul Fattig at 776-4496 or e-mail him at pfattig@mailtribune.com.