Please read and go to the site to send your comments on this. Thanks so much. I think this is very worth it. Virginia Chapter Sierra Club Comment now on Dominions proposal to survey for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline pipeline9.jpgThe 550 mile Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP) has made a lot of headlines lately. The pipeline would cut a path through the Shenandoah Valley region - passing through sensitive karst geology, pristine unroaded areas, across trout streams, and prime farmland. The purpose of the pipeline is to deliver fracked natural gas from West Virginia and the Ohio Valley over the mountains. Ultimately, if hydrofracking begins in Virginia, the pipeline could also be used to transport dirty fracked gas from Virginia as well. Natural gas pipelines accelerate the impacts of climate change. The pipeline is an investment in fossil fuel infrastructure, and it discourages utility investment in renewable energy as well as energy conservation. It encourages hydraulic fracturing, which leaks methane pollution. Methane pollution is a greenhouse gas, just like coal’s byproduct carbon dioxide, except methane traps 80 times more heat in our atmosphere per ton of air pollution. Over 12.6 miles of the proposed route would pass through the George Washington National Forest, a treasured part of our region that protects our water supplies, supports our economy, and offers abundant opportunities for outdoor recreation. The Forest is the largest, most intact national forest in the eastern United States, and its scenic vistas, world-class trout streams, remote wildlife habitats, and exceptional outdoor recreation opportunities are readily available to 10 million people who live within a few hours’ drive. The Forest Service is requesting comments on Dominion’s application to conduct pipeline surveys on our public lands. A very wide 2000-foot survey corridor around the proposed 300-foot study corridor would be surveyed. Maps, documents, and other information about the pipeline can be found at: fs.usda.gov/detail/gwj/landmanagement/projects/?cid=stelprd3824603 and wildvirginia.org/our-programs/dominion-pipeline/. Although there may be other stages to the project, this is your first opportunity to tell the Forest Service, “no destructive pipeline through the George Washington National Forest!” The ACP does not benefit the residents of Virginia and poses a serious threat to the environment and to the broader communities along the route. Don’t miss this opportunity! You must act by January 9, 2015, the Forest Service’s comment deadline. Recipients Tom Speaks Dear [Decision Maker], Over 75,000 comments have been received by the GWNF opposing fracking in the national forest. Here as elsewhere, natural gas development accelerates the impacts of climate change, and discourages the development and use of renewable energy. It encourages hydraulic fracturing and increases methane emissions that are 80 times more harmful than CO2 emissions. The proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline would facilitate increased development of hydraulically fracked natural gas throughout the eastern United States. The proposed pipeline will cut through the heart of the George Washington Natural Forest and would have a devastating impact on some of the wildest habitat remaining in the Appalachians. * Personalize your message The GWNF is a very special place. Its protection of our water supplies, support for our economy, and the abundant opportunities for outdoor recreation are all important to me. Its scenery, world-class trout streams, remote wildlife habitats, and hiking trails are all within a few hours drive of my home. Please protect it. Too many times our good intentions end up destroying our lands and animal habitats. Where I am the deer are constantly being hit by cars and trucks because their habitats have become housing areas or business places. Other animals as well come into housing areas looking for food and water or just a place to sleep. There is nothing more beautiful than walking or hiking into the wide open spaces and stopping by a beautiful stream to relax. Dont ruin this for our children. I request that you deny the application for the special use permit to allow Dominion to survey across the GWNF. If you consider allowing surveys, please consider the following issues: (1) I request that a full assessment of the environmental impacts of the cumulative impacts in the reasonably foreseeable future of survey, including those related to the construction and operation of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline be included in the analysis for the issuance of the temporary special use permit. (2) The proposed survey route passes through the most remote parts of the Forest. Due to the configuration of the proposed survey route, upon completion of the survey, Dominion and the Forest Service would be predisposed to routing the pipeline along this route. A full range of alternatives should be considered for the survey routes, including (1) my preferred alternative: not constructing the pipeline at all, (2) identifying and surveying routes entirely co-located along existing road and utility corridors rather than through remote parts of the Forest, and (3) locating the pipeline away from approaches to farmlands, trout streams, and other important privately-owned and public resources. (3) The Forest Service should not rely entirely on the work of privately-hired consultants for activities that impact our public lands. The Forest Service should ensure that surveyors are adequately trained and follow the highest professional standards, and that surveys are thorough and complete. (4) The pipeline could impact soils with landslide potential, erosion hazard, karst topography, and other inherent risks. Therefore, soil surveys should be very thorough. (5) Surveys should consider the safety concerns associated with accidents, rupture of pipes, and leakage, especially around sensitive areas. (6) The Forest Service should ensure that surveys for biological resources are conducted over an adequate length of time, are conducted at times of the year and times of the day when rare plants, wildlife and biological communities are most likely to be detected. (7) There must be adequate oversight will there to ensure that surveys are thorough and that survey results are presented in an unbiased manner. Thank you for the opportunity to comment. Sincerely, [Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State ZIP]
Posted on: Sun, 21 Dec 2014 15:42:26 +0000