A new general permit that authorizes stormwater discharges from activities associated with oil and gas construction activities, including pipelines, in West Virginia has been proposed by the state’s Department of Environmental Protection. The permit is a reissuance of the existing permit and will be in effect for a five-year term. The reissued permit strengthens many requirements from the existing general permit, requiring enhanced best management practices for Tier II and II streams and requiring groundwater protection plans to be reviewed. The deadline for public comments is October 21. Details on the oil and gas construction stormwater proposal and how to comment are available here. The Atlantic Coast Pipeline and the Mountain Valley Pipeline are currently operating under the existing general stormwater permit, but would have to reapply and meet new standards under the new proposed permit if their respective projects are not completed by May 2019.

West Virginia Proposes New Stormwater Permit

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.