Dominion Resources has proposed a 42" interstate natural gas pipeline through the Monongahela and George Washington National Forests to connect gasfields in West Virginia to markets in North Carolina. This would be the largest pipeline Dominion has ever proposed in Virginia. The proposed route crosses through the southeastern portion of our Shenandoah Mountain National Scenic Area proposal. This is just the type of high impact heavy industrial development that scenic area and wilderness designation prevents. The proposed route would:
If approved, the pipeline would create a permanent linear clearing across Shenandoah Mountain and Hankey Mountain that would be a pathway for invasives. The 150' construction swath and permanent 75' swath would degrade habitat for the Cow Knob Salamander (found in the direct path of the pipeline) and would fragment the national forest, creating "edge effect", which favors nest predators like the cowbird over the wide variety of birds, like warblers and many songbirds that need unfragmented mature forest habitat. It would also permanently degrade Braley Pond recreation area, which is popular for hiking, mountain biking, fishing, hunting, camping, and picnicking.
Based on these impacts to the Shenandoah Mountain area, Friends of Shenandoah Mountain opposes the Dominion pipeline and has written to GWNF Supervisor Tom Speaks, asking him to deny Dominion a special use permit to build the pipeline.
- cross Ramseys Draft stream outside the Wilderness area;
- cross Braley Pond access road;
- obliterate the Dowells Draft forest road;
- pass through the Chestnut Oak Knob Ruffed Grouse Habitat Project; and
- pass very close to the east end of the Staunton Dam tunnel through Hankey Mountain, potentially threatening Staunton's municipal water supply.
If approved, the pipeline would create a permanent linear clearing across Shenandoah Mountain and Hankey Mountain that would be a pathway for invasives. The 150' construction swath and permanent 75' swath would degrade habitat for the Cow Knob Salamander (found in the direct path of the pipeline) and would fragment the national forest, creating "edge effect", which favors nest predators like the cowbird over the wide variety of birds, like warblers and many songbirds that need unfragmented mature forest habitat. It would also permanently degrade Braley Pond recreation area, which is popular for hiking, mountain biking, fishing, hunting, camping, and picnicking.
Based on these impacts to the Shenandoah Mountain area, Friends of Shenandoah Mountain opposes the Dominion pipeline and has written to GWNF Supervisor Tom Speaks, asking him to deny Dominion a special use permit to build the pipeline.
RSS Feed