Protecting the heritage, resources and economy of the Allegheny-Blue Ridge region
ABRA has unveiled the first phase of its National Forest Integrity Project (NFIP). The project, part of ABRA’s Conservation Hub, is a monitoring program created to track proposed and ongoing projects in the three National Forests that are located within the Central Appalachian Highlands (Monongahela in West Virginia and George Washington and Jefferson in Virginia).
The December decisions by Virginia and West Virginia to grant water certificates to the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) have been appealed to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Appalachian Mountain Advocates (Appalmad) filed with the Fourth Circuit on behalf of Sierra Club and five other conservation groups a petition for review of the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection’s December 30 approval of a permit for the MVP under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act.
The U.S. Forest Service’s (NFS) environmental assessment of one of its projects in the Monongahela National Forest is the subject of a strong objection filed January 3 by the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy (WVHC).
The Greenbrier Southeast project in the Monongahela National Forest,
Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC (MVP) on December 31 filed an appeal with the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals over the Virginia Air Pollution Control Board’s December 3 denial of a permit for the Lambert Compressor Station, a project associated with the Southgate Extension of the MVP,
The Virginia State Water Control Board voted 3-2 on December 14 to approve a water quality certificate for the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP). Two members were not present. The project still needs a water certificate from West Virginia, which is expected to act by December 31,
The past year has been an important year of transition for the Allegheny-Blue Ridge Alliance. Among our accomplishments have been:
Thirty-five conservation groups, including ABRA and several of its members, filed comments with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on December 3 in response to the agency’s Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking regarding incidental take regulations under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA).
Twenty-two conservation groups, including ABRA and several of its members, filed comments on November 19 with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the permit application for the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) to cross rivers and streams under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act.
H
Sponsor: Friends of Buckingham
Developer: Aston Bay
Since at least 2016, Aston Bay Holdings has drilled more than 20 exploratory holes in the A-1 agricultural zone on land situated between Yogaville and the Union Hill community.
Sponsor: National Forest Integrity Project
Developer: U.S.Forest Service
According to the US Forest Service, the Greenbrier Southeast project seeks to improve forest stand health and composition to improve future wildlife habitat and to provide for future commercial timber sales and economic projects.
Sponsor: Rockbridge Area Conservation Council
Developer: Apex Clean Energy
Apex Clean Energy is working to complete development and start construction on Rocky Forge Wind, potentially the first onshore wind farm in the Commonwealth.
Sponsor: Friends of Blackwater
Developer: WVDOT/WVDOH
Corridor H of the Appalachian Development Highway System, also known as US 48, will extend 157 miles from northern Virginia to central West Virginia. It is being constructed from Interstate 79 (I-79) in Weston eastward across the Allegheny Mountains to I-81 in Strasburg,