ABRA conducted an in depth briefing and tour of sites along the Atlantic Coast Pipeline route for Board members of the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy (WVHC). The October 19 tour occurred in western Pocahontas County and adjoining Randolph County, West Virginia. The sites visited where were pipe has been installed in the ground, as noted in the photo below. The shortcomings of installed sediment control measures were prominently noted. WVHC is an original member of ABRA and is a supporter of ABRA’s Compliance Surveillance Initiative. See page 3 for a profile of WVHC.

West Virginia Highlands Conservancy Board Tours ACP Route

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.