DEP to host hearings on proposed pipeline
BUCKHANNON — The public has an opportunity to comment on the proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline’s Water Quality Certification, the permit that ensures the project meets West Virginia’s water quality standards.
As proposed, the Atlantic Coast Pipeline would span three states: North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia, and could impact approximately 400 stream segments in West Virginia. The proposed project would be comprised of approximately 99 miles of natural gas pipeline along with compressor stations, meter stations, access roads and interconnects through Harrison, Lewis, Upshur, Randolph and Pocahontas counties.
The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection is hosting public hearings on the Water Quality Certification to accept written or oral comments. Public hearings are scheduled for 6 p.m. July 31 at the Buckhannon-Upshur High School Auditorium and 6 p.m. Aug. 1 at the Pocahontas County High School Auditorium.
The State 401 Water Quality Certification (WQC-15-0010) is for activities that will or may discharge fill into waters of the state. The Atlantic Coast Pipeline project is proposing to mitigate for streams and wetlands that would be permanently impacted by this project.
According to the permit application, the proposed project “will have temporary impacts to approximately 36,071 linear feet of streams and 31.18 acres of wetlands resulting from mainline pipeline construction and temporary access roads in West Virginia during the construction phase. It is anticipated that ACP will permanently impact an estimated 7,341 linear feet of streams and 4.40 acres of wetlands primarily due to permanent access road improvements.”
To view the application for 401 Water Quality Certification for this project, anyone interested can visit www.dep.wv.gov/WWE/Programs/Pages/401Certification.aspx.
Any interested person may submit written comments through Aug. 4 on the State 401 Water Quality Certification. Comments should be addressed to the Director of the Division of Water and Waste Management, and they can be emailed to dep.comments@wv.gov or mailed to: WVDEP, Division of Water and Waste Management, ATTN: Laura Cooper, 601 57th Street SE, Charleston, WV 25304-2345.