The February 27 announcement includes notice of the opening of the scoping process that the [FERC] will use to gather input from the public and interested agencies on the projects. Your input will help the Commission staff determine what issues they need to evaluate in the EIS notes the FERC document.

Locally, two scoping meetings will be held: one at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17 at the Prince Edward County High School auditorium, at 1482 Zion Hill Road in Farmville, and at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18 at the Nelson County Middle School, located at 6925 Thomas Nelson Highway, Lovingston, Va., 22949.

According to the FERC, the purpose of the meetings is to provide an opportunity to verbally comment on these projects. If a significant number of people are interested in commenting at the meetings, we may establish a three to five-minute time limit for each commentor to ensure that all people wishing to comment have the opportunity

The commission says that a transcript of each meeting will be added to their administrative record to ensure that comments are accurate.

The environmental impact statement will discuss impacts that could occur as a result of the construction and operation of the planned projects under these general headings: geology and soils; land use; water resources, fisheries, and wetlands; cultural resources; vegetation and wildlife; air quality and noise; endangered and threatened species; socioeconomics; and public safety.

FERC notes Dominion’s previously announced route alternatives, one of which, in Buckingham, could see the 42-inch natural gas pipeline pass much closer to the Yogaville community than the original route

Part of our NEPA [National Environmental Policy Act] analysis will include evaluating possible alternatives to the planned projects or portions of the projects…We are specifically soliciting comments on the range of alternatives says FERC.

According to the document, the EIS is an independent analysis of the issues, and will be published and distributed in draft form for public comment.

FERC says it has already identified several issues it thinks deserve attention based on a preliminary review of the planned facilities and environmental information provided by Dominion and Atlantic Coast Pipeline.

The preliminary list includes land use impacts, the use of eminent domain, future land use restrictions, impacts on property values, safety issues, route alternatives, concerns regarding construction and operational noise, and impacts on local emergency management systems, forested areas, surface water resources, groundwater resources, protected species and habitats, and cultural resources.

You can make a difference by providing us with your specific comments or concerns about the projects, notes the FERC. Your comments should focus on the potential environmental effects, reasonable alternatives, and measures to avoid or lessen environmental impacts. The more specific your comments, the more useful they will be. The 17-page document explains that the public can submit comments by writing the FERC directly, or logging on towww.ferc.gov and using the eComment or eFiling features under the documents and filings link.

The FERC docket number for the proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline is PF15-6-000.