The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced it will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a proposed issuance of an incidental take permit (ITP) under section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in response to an application from a coalition of nine energy companies that wish to conduct upstream and/or midstream oil and gas activities within West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania. The November 25 Federal Register Notice indicates that 5 different species of bats would be potentially subject to incidental taking if the permit requested is granted. While the EIS that will be prepared does not directly involve pipeline projects that ABRA is following, the development bears scrutiny concerning its possible precedential implications.

Fish and Wildlife to Consider Incidental Taking of Endangered Species

ABRA CONSERVATION HUB

ABRA’s Conservation Hub program promotes responsible resource management by providing access to critical information needed for effective public involvement in environmental review and oversight.

Following the defeat of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline in 2020, ABRA initiated the Conservation Hub to support informed public engagement with the broader range of environmental issues confronting the Allegheny-Blue Ridge Mountain region. The Conservation Hub builds on the analysis and information sharing capacity achieved through ABRA’s Pipeline CSI project during the years of ACP opposition.

The Conservation Hub is based on the use of GIS mapping to provide details and context for land development projects and management practices that involve risk of environmental harm, as well as for environmental preservation and restoration initiatives. The Conservation Hub also provides access to regulatory documents and assessments related to specific projects or issues.

Multiple Conservation Hub sites, focused on individual projects or issues, have been developed collaboratively with ABRA’s partners and allies. Going forward, we invite conservation groups, individuals, and communities to provide ideas for new Hub sites and GIS mapping that can contribute to informed public engagement on behalf of environmental integrity in the Allegheny-Blue Ridge region.