The deadline for public comments to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality regarding whether the Atlantic Coast Pipeline or the Mountain Valley Pipeline should receive water quality certification under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act is next Tuesday, August 22.

All persons concerned about the water quality impacts of the ACP and MVP are strongly urged to file written comments on the draft certification documents.

Written comments for the ACP draft certification document should be sent by email to: ; or by mail to: DEQ, P.O. Box 1105, Richmond, VA 23218. For those wishing to comment on the MVP draft certification document, written comments should be sent by email to: ; and by mail to: DEQ, P.O. Box 1105, Richmond, VA 23218.

Comments to Virginia DEQ on Water Quality Due Tuesday, August 22

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.