The preferred pipeline route was selected because the potential environmental damage along this route is measurably less than along the US7 alternative (Preferred Route Meeting Minutes).

The pipeline route will leave US7 in Mount Tabor near the Mount Tabor Inn and run west across the upper end of Quarry Hill Road to the Danby Quarry site. This portion of the route will require new right-of-way. There it will turn generally north and run along the OMYA 46 kv power line right-of-way just west of Easy Steet. It will cross Brook Road about 1/2 mile west of the village and Danby Hill Road just below Ann Rothman's house. (The Brook Road crossing will not be easy. In this area, it crosses the Town of Danby water supply.) It will cross Staples Road near the Staples farm and then run east of and roughly parallel to Colvin Hill Road and North Hill Lane. Near the Bushey place on North Hill Lane, the line will leave the OMYA right-of-way and run directly west through a wooded area, requiring a new right-of-way in the vicinity of private water supplies, to Tinmouth Road near Bob Smith's house. Crossing Tinmouth Road, it will follow a CVPS power line right-of-way to Otis Road where it will turn north, requiring a new right-of-way until it rejoins the OMYA right-of-way in Tinmouth.

The US7 alternative route was not selected owing to concerns about what impact the pipeline might have on deer wintering areas, on critical bear habitat, and on the many streams that cross or parallel the route. There was also a concern about right-of-way availability and use along the US7 highway corridor.