H.R. 2936, The Resilient Federal Forests Act of 2017 (more commonly called the Westerman Bill) is currently being discussed in the House of Representatives. This bill is intended to “expedite environmental analysis and availability of categorical exclusions to expedite forest management activities.” Apart from being destructive to forest ecosystems, the Westerman Bill is designed to… Read more
Thank you for your interest in helping to search for the Rusty Patched Bumble Bee along the proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline route. One of the bees was found by an ACP surveyor in Bath County. We would like to find more anywhere along the route, if possible. We are welcome to search on public Forest… Read more
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by Donna Fitzgerald This summer, hike around in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests or do some wildlife watching and camping. Summertime in Virginia is one of the best times of year to get outdoors and enjoy some of the state’s most beautiful forests. Whether you spend as much time as you can outdoors,… Read more
The US Forest Service (USFS) just released their Draft Record of Decision (ROD) for the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP). This document would allow 11 exceptions to the Jefferson National Forest Plan and adopt an amendment that would allow the destruction of old growth forests, rare species, and wetlands by the proposed Mountain Valley Pipeline. In… Read more
Today, the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) was released. What’s in it – or more importantly – what is not? The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has again failed to adequately address many of the most important impacts and issues related to the Mountain Valley Pipeline. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) had… Read more
What’s the status of the FERC Review? FERC is scheduled to release the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline on July 21, 2017. The FEIS will apply to the entire project, including permits to cross the Monongahela and George Washington National Forest. All comments on the Draft EIS are part of… Read more
What’s at stake for our national forest lands? Water Pollution: Sedimentation caused by construction could threaten the water quality especially those of special concern such as native brook trout streams and the headwater streams that supply the water used by the Shenandoah Valley. Habitat and Natural Processes Destruction: Construction of the pipeline would fragment habitat,… Read more
DPMC has published a new report on construction of the proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline across Little Valley in Virginia’s Bath County. Little Valley: High-Hazard Pipeline Construction The Little Valley area, like much of the proposed ACP route through the mountains, presents extreme challenges for pipeline construction due to steep slopes, high-excavation requirements, erodible and slip-prone soil… Read more
David Sligh, Wild Virginia’s very own Conservation Director, was recently named a winner of the River Hero Award through the River Network! One of only five awardees across the United States, David was nominated for his environmental enthusiasm and commitment to preserving water bodies and water quality. Over the last thirty-five years he has made a… Read more