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
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
Dominion has stated that the proposed 600 mile Atlantic Coast Pipeline will require ‘extensive’ mountaintop removal along the Appalachian ridge lines in Virginia and West Virginia. What exactly does this mean? How much mountaintop will need to be removed? Dominion has said that 10-60 feet of mountaintops will be “reduced” in… Read more
Last week was packed with fun adventures in the youth program! On Monday, Wild Virginia met a group of students from Monroe High School at Ivy Creek Natural Preserve, where all the trees and flowers were in bloom and beautiful. We found a patch of grass surrounded by walking paths, colorful flowers, and some… Read more
Just over a century ago, the mountains from West Virginia to Georgia were being clearcut, burned, and eroded in one of the worst logging rampages in history. Flooding from the denuded mountains was so destructive to the lowlands that in 1911, Congress was pressured to pass the Weeks Act. This law authorized the Forest Service… Read more
Besides providing beautiful sites for hikers, habitats for wildlife, and lush natural scenery, forests play an invaluable part in protecting our planet from climate change. Read on to learn some fascinating, often-overlooked functions of forests and to understand why it’s especially important to look out for their welfare. 1. Forests regulate rainfall When it comes… Read more
We drove into the Oakland School on a crisp Wednesday morning. The campus was beautiful— rolling hills littered with white paneled, barn-house style buildings. I was there with Bette and Lilly, two other Wild Virginia volunteers, to teach a youth group about the importance of different habitat types for animals. There were about 20 students… Read more