A proposed pipeline that will devastate the Appalachian Mountains and the Appalachian Trail Experience
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) is strongly opposed to the proposed Mountain Valley Pipeline project, which would dramatically scar the scenic landscape of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.), could contaminate clean drinking water, and cause local cities and towns that rely on outdoor recreation-based tourism to lose significant revenues.
The ATC has a history of working with various energy providers and other industries to ensure that the energy needs of the public are met while simultaneously preserving the beauty of the Appalachian Mountains and the unique hiking experience that the A.T. provides.
However, after the release of the questionable HYPERLINK “https://elibrary.ferc.gov/idmws/file_list.asp?accession_num=20170623-4000” \t “_blank” Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the proposed project and witnessing the inadequacies of the environmental compliance process initiated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), we feel the proposed Mountain Valley Pipeline threatens the A.T. on an unprecedented scale.
The HYPERLINK “https://www.mountainvalleypipeline.info/” \t “_blank” Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP), spearheaded by HYPERLINK “https://www.eqt.com/” \t “_blank” EQT Corporation, is designed to deliver natural gas to Virginia and West Virginia, though it has been mired in controversy since its initial proposal. The pipeline would carry fracked natural gas for over 300 miles through the Virginia and West Virginia countryside, crossing over dozens of water sources, protected areas and, at one point, over the A.T. itself. The proposed project fails to meet numerous criteria the ATC laid out in a HYPERLINK “http://www.appalachiantrail.org/docs/default-source/trail-management-policies/pipeline-crossings-2015.pdf?sfvrsn=2” \t “_blank” 2015 policy offering guidance on proposed natural gas pipeline projects.
The ATC, the HYPERLINK “http://www.ratc.org/” \t “_blank” Roanoke Appalachian Trail Club and many other local stakeholders provided input on how the project could be adjusted to avoid unnecessary environmental hazards and unsightly alterations to Appalachian vistas — including following existing infrastructure corridors already cut into the landscape — but, unfortunately, almost all of this advice went unheeded.
Here are some of the major concerns we have about MVP:
Permanent damage to iconic views along the Appalachian Trail
The pipeline approval process failed to adequately study the visual impact MVP would have on the A.T. and the surrounding areas. Multiple iconic viewpoints in Virginia are predicted to be severely impacted, including Angels Rest, Kelly Knob, Rice Fields and Dragons Tooth — some of the most visited and photographed locations on the entire A.T. The proposed route for the project would require the creation of a “utility corridor” around the pipeline roughly the size of a 12-lane highway, which would effectively eliminate thousands of acres of pristine forest. The ATC estimates that the pipeline corridor could be viewed from up to 60 miles away at many viewpoints along the A.T.
Health, safety and water quality concerns for nearby communities and the surrounding environment.
Numerous safety concerns loom over MVP as well. HYPERLINK “http://augustafreepress.com/karst-geology-poses-severe-challenges-mountain-valley-pipeline/” \t “_blank” Situated on land that is geologically unstable — crossing over a designated seismic zone — the risk of severe erosion, landslides and pipeline failure are extremely high. Such instability also poses a high likelihood of natural gas leaks, which could poison the surrounding environment and contaminate the drinking water used by nearby communities.
Harmful changes to the Jefferson National Forest Management Plan
In order to accommodate the visual and environmental damage that would be caused by MVP, the U.S. Forest Service agreed to lower the Jefferson National Forest Management Plan standards for water quality, visual impacts, the removal of old-growth forest and the number of simultaneous projects passing through the borders of federally protected land. This unprecedented change is ill considered, not only because it would permit MVP to destroy thousands of acres of pristine forest, but it would open the gates for future infrastructure projects to cause similar destruction. All of these changes were made without sufficient public review or input from other partners — a rash and dangerous change from the standards previously established through decades of cooperation.
A potentially significant impact on the economy for nearby communities.
The negative impact this pipeline would have on nearby Virginia towns — including Pearisburg, Narrows and Newport — would reach beyond safety concerns. These communities are staunch supporters of the A.T. and benefit from tourism dollars provided by hikers and other visitors. HYPERLINK “http://www.appalachiantrail.org/docs/default-source/Conservation-Documents/advocacy/economiccostsofthemvp_technicalreport_final_20160518.pdf?sfvrsn=2” \t “_blank” This economic study highlights some of the potential impacts the pipeline would have on the income and property values in the surrounding areas. Both Pearisburg and Narrows have passed resolutions opposing the pipeline, as the wellbeing of their communities is at risk.
The ATC does not take this position lightly — for months, we have attempted to find ways to minimize environmental and visual impacts through collaboration with MVP officials and the project’s various partners, including the U.S. Forest Service. However, due to the massive impact the proposed project would have on the Appalachian Trail, the surrounding environment, and multiple communities and small businesses, the ATC strongly opposes the construction of the MVP, and we urge our members, the A.T. hiking community, outdoor lovers, and the citizens of Virginia and West Virginia to stand with us.
For more information about MVP and how you can take action, visit HYPERLINK “http://appalachiantrail.org/MVP” \t “_blank” appalachiantrail.org/MVP.
– Submitted by Jordan Bowman
