USFS seeking public comment on allowing pipeline surveys in the GWNF

It’s no secret that the Greenbrier River Watershed Association opposes the Atlantic Coast Pipeline project proposed by Dominion Resources in partnership with Duke Energy and at least 2 other energy concerns.  Part of the current proposed route of the 554 mile pipeline would travel through 12.6 miles of US Forest Service land in the George Washington National Forest in Highland and Augusta counties.  The USFS is seeking comments from the public on whether or not to allow surveys on this section of the GWNF.

According to a press release from the watershed association, the Forest Service will use public comments and an environmental review to decide whether to issue a permit for surveys in the forest.

The watershed association is asking for public comments to be submitted to the USFS, keeping the following in mind:

  •  That the Forest Service makes sure that Dominion collects the kinds of data necessary to make a decision about the construction of the proposed pipeline, saying now is the time to collect the data needed to document environmental conditions
  •  That the data collected should allow the Forest Service to do a comparative analysis of all three proposed pipelines that would impact the national forests in Virginia and West Virginia
  •  That the data should also reflect a correct and detailed assessment of the impact on habitat, wildlife and plants
  • That the potential for slope failure should also be considered since certain soils and rocks are susceptible to failure – and because Dominion has a track record of slope failure and stream sedimentation at other pipelines projects
  •  And that Dominion should also conduct an assessment of both water quality and quantity for all springs, wells, and streams within and adjacent to the forest and decide how water resources will be monitored if construction is approved

The USFS is a major player in the decision process being undertaken by the Federal Regulatory Energy Commission on whether they will grant a permit to Dominion to proceed with construction of the pipeline.  Comments to the forest service are being accepted through January 9th, 2015.

Comments may be submitted by:

Email: comments-southern-georgewashington-jefferson@fs.fed.us

FAX: 540-265-5145

Mail or Hand Deliver:

USDA Forest Service

Atlantic Coast Pipeline Survey Comments

5162 Valleypointe Parkway

Roanoke, VA 24019

You can also get more information from the Greenbrier River Watershed Association by contacting  elise@greenbrier.org 304-647-4792

Story By

Heather Niday

Heather is our Program Director and Traffic Manager. She started with Allegheny Mountain Radio as a volunteer deejay. She then joined the AMR staff in February of 2007. Heather grew up in the Richmond, Virginia, area and now lives in Arbovale, West Virginia with her husband Chuck. Heather is a wonderful flute player, and choir director for Arbovale UMC. You can hear Heather along with Chuck on Tuesday nights from 6 to 8pm as they host two hours of jazz on Something Different.

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