Elected Officials Comments to DEQ-Section 401 Process

Elected Officials’ Comments to DEQ regarding the Clean Water Act Section 401 Process
– Atlantic Coast Pipeline & Mountain Valley Pipeline

Delegates and Senators making up the Western Caucus of the Virginia General Assembly have expressed concern over the expedited review of impacts to Virginia waters due to the construction and operation of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline and Mountain Valley Pipeline. The letters urge Governor McAuliffe and Virginia DEQ to perform a thorough review and not to take shortcuts that would put Virginia waters and constituents at risk.

Virginia Western Caucus letter to DEQ regarding 401 certification and timeline – 8/7/2017

Some have also written individual letters to DEQ regarding the 401 certification process and timeline.

Senator John Edwards, Virginia Senate, D- 21st District – 7/27/2017

Senator Emmett Hanger, Virginia Senate, R- 24th District – 8/3/2017

Richard (Dickie) Bell, Virginia House of Delegates, R- 20th District – 7/29/2017

Gregory Habeeb, Virginia House of Delegates, R-8th District &
Joseph Yost, Virginia House of Delegates, R-12th District – 6/14/2017

Steve Heretick, Virginia House of Delegates, D-79th District – 7/11/2017

Steven Landes, Virginia House of Delegates, R-25th District – 8/7/2017

Sam Rasoul, Virginia House of Delegates, D- 11th District – 7/18/2017

David Toscano, Virginia House of Delegates, D- 57th District – 5/25/2017

Joseph Yost, Virginia House of Delegates, R-12th District – 8/21/2017

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.