Virginia DEQ Reveals Initial Plans for Water Quality Hearings

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality has informally announced that 5 public hearings will be held in August to receive public input on the state’s consideration of applications for water quality certification under Section 401 of the federal Clean Water Act for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP) and the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP).

According to sources, three hearings will be held for the ACP and two for the MVP,

as follows:

ACP

August 7, Harrisonburg, VA – James Madison University, Festival Conference & Student Center (Grand Ballroom), 6-10 pm

August 10, Farmville, VA – Longwood University, Jarman Auditorium, 6-10 pm

Dinwiddie, VA – Dinwiddie High School (date and details to be announced)

MVP

August 8, Radford, VA – Radford University, Preston/Bondurant Auditorium

Chatham, VA – Chatham High School (date and details to be announced)

Virginia DEQ Reveals Initial Plans for Water Quality Hearings

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.