A coalition of environmental and conservation organizations, including 12 members of ABRA, filed a legal challenge to the Virginia State Water Control Board’s December 12 approval of a water quality certification for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP). The suit, filed

Virginia DEQ Shuts Down Public Input, Curbs Water Board in 401 Process

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has proclaimed that there is to be no further input from the public in the final stages of water quality certification (under Section 401 of the federal Clean Water Act) for the Atlantic

DPMC Asks Virginia Governor to Restore Integrity to Pipeline Reviews

The Dominion Pipeline Monitoring Coalition (DPMC) has written Virginia Governor Ralph Northam asking that he order responsible state officials to correct the failures and improper actions exhibited by the Department of Environmental Quality and State Water Control Board in its

Urge Governor Northam to Insist on a Credible 401 Review of the ACP & MVP

An on-line petition to Virginia Governor Northam, who was inaugurated last weekend, urges that he “ensure that DEQ’s continued investigation of pipeline impacts on Virginia’s waters is transparent, thorough and grounded in the best available scientific and engineering data —

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.