The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality is currently planning to permit developers of the massive fracked-gas Atlantic Coast and Mountain Valley pipelines to drive a gash through the headwaters, streams, and wetlands of six major river basins, including the headwaters of the Potomac and James Rivers, on which millions of Virginians depend for their drinking water.
| Please attend one, two or all of Department of Environmental Quality’s hearings and demand that the DEQ do a full public review of all erosion and sediment control plans for the ACP prior to any 401 Water Quality Certification. We want DEQ to put a hold on the process and reinitiate it only after the requested detailed information on Dominion’s exact and specific plans have been made public. Without those plans, the public cannot frame a fully informed response. |
| DEQ has posted on its website guidelines about what topics will be considered at the hearings and in written comments that are submitted. For those seeking guidance on major points to make in their testimony (3-minute limitation) or written submissions, we urge that comments be as personal as possible (e.g. how clean water is important to you and why the proposed pipeline would endanger that water).
In addition, we commend to you the suggested talking points developed by ABRA members Wild Virginia and the Sierra Club – Virginia Chapter. DEQ hearings Sample Comments 8-10-17 Augusta Alliance Comments: DEQ’s Process Meets Dominion’s Schedule Instead of Ensuring Water is Protected Appalachian Voices petition and further comments to DEQ |
| For Next Steps, Walking the Line folks ask that people join them to support those testifying. They will bring musicians and sing their pipeline resistance anthem “Sow Em on the Mountain”. They will bring their Sacred Places Map. And they plan to bring 500 “This is Not a Hearing” gags and 500 “This is a robbery” gags. Will they bring you? |
| ACP hearings begin at 6. Walking the Line program begins at 5:15 and can be joined until 6. |
- Monday, Aug. 7, 5:15 to 10 p.m. James Madison University, Festival Conference and Student Center, Grand Ballroom, 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg. Parking is in lots C11, C12, and D3.
- Thursday, Aug. 10, 5:15 to 10 p.m. Longwood University, Jarman Auditorium, 201 High St., Farmville. Parking is in Wheeler Lot, Crafts Lot, High Street Lot, Randolph Lot or other university-owned lots.
- Monday, Aug. 14, from 5:15 to 10 p.m. Southside Virginia Community College Center for Workforce Development, Christiana Campus, 109 Campus Drive, Alberta VA 23821.
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