Public comment on WV-VA-MD pipelines thru Natl Forest

Unusually large pipelines proposed thru very rugged terrain

Comments to the Monongahela National Forest due by February 13, 2015

From Elise Keaton, Greenbrier River Watershed Association

The Monongahela National Forest (MON) is accepting public comments on the Atlantic Coast Pipeline’s request to survey in the MON. The deadline is February 13.

Send comments before February 13 to:
>> Email: comments-eastern-monongahela-greenbrier@fs.fed.us
>> Fax: (304) 637-0582
>> Mail or Hand Deliver: Monongahela National Forest, ATTN: Atlantic Coast Pipeline Survey Permit Comments, 200 Sycamore Street, Elkins, WV 26241

More information can be found on the Forest Service website at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/gwj/
It’s best for each writer to express their personal feelings and positive experiences about the forests in their own words, in addition to including some variations of any of the talking points below. What do you enjoy most about your trips to the forest? How do you personally feel about this potential pipeline? What are your deepest concerns?

Reasons that have been cited for opposing interstate pipelines in the National Forests  include:

A 125-foot clear cut across the mountain ridges will divide and fragment forest and wildlife habitat for numerous threatened and endangered species. This will also create favorable conditions for invasive species.

What will campers, hikers, fishermen and other visitors think when they see that the protection of valuable headwater streams is being tossed aside so that the gas industry can reap bigger profits?

The most negative impacts of the pipeline are likely to be water quality because of heavy equipment on the steep slopes. I am concerned about the fact that the WV DEP would be responsible for regulation of water quality, for which they have a very poor record.

Streams, creeks and rivers will be impacted by construction activities and our fresh water resources may be contaminated by leaks.

Trucks and heavy equipment would clog the roads and will contribute to increased diesel fuel pollution in the Forest.

A 125 food wide construction right of way and a 75 foot permanent easement cut through our forested mountains would scar the landscape and fragment natural animal pathways.

Small streams are diverted during construction.

For many or most of the larger streams that would be crossed in mountainous terrain it’s likely that the pipeline crossing will be achieved through direct excavation and possibly blasting of the stream-bed.

Thank you for submitting your comment(s), Elise Keaton ( elise@greenbrier.org )

See also the Mid-Atlantic Responsible Energy Project at: http://www.mareproject.org/

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