ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ7) Pipeline opponents who were trying to block the path of project surveyors last Thursday will be challenging state officials during meetings next week.
“They are as important as any process we’ve been through yet,” said Roberta Bondurant, a Bent Mountain resident who opposes construction of the Mountain Valley Pipeline.
The Department of Environmental Quality has scheduled public hearings on August 8th in Radford and August 9th in Chatham, and two additional public meetings on August 10th in Newport and Roanoke County.
And there’s a difference for people who wish to comment on the natural gas pipeline project.
“If they’re going to Newport, if they’re going to Cave Spring, those are not formally recorded hearings,” Bondurant told us, “so that if they come without written comments those will not be legally considered by DEQ, at least as far as we are informed so far.”
Two weeks ago, Delegate Sam Rasoul stood on the banks of the Roanoke River and called for the DEQ to suspend the hearing process, until additional studies can be completed.
On Wednesday, DEQ officials told him that won’t happen.
Rasoul said he is disappointed with the decision.
“Especially what we saw with Tinker Creek, how sensitive our water sources can be,” Rasoul told WDBJ7, “the Virginia Department of Health has clearly said more work needs to be done and DEQ really needs to recognize that.”
Senator John Edwards has also called for a more thorough review of the potential impact, and a suspension of the comment period until the analysis is complete. He also requested additional public hearings in locations along the pipeline route.
“DEQ needs to extend the period of time, provide more public input and make sure the concerns of citizens with regard to water quality and the other environmental concerns are fully considered,” Edwards said, “and right now I’m very concerned that’s not happening.”
Following is information from the Department of Environmental Quality on the public comment process:
How to comment on proposed 401 Water Quality Certifications for the Atlantic Coast and Mountain Valley pipelines.
You have the right to provide public comments on the proposed Section 401 Water Quality Certifications for construction-related activities in upland areas that are located near state waters and that may affect state water along the proposed routes of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP) and Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP).
WDBJ 7 TV – Joe Dashiell – 08/02/2017
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