Preserve Craig, Inc. Is a 501(C)(3) Nonprofit Corporation Formed in 1991 Using Volunteers and Donations to Protect Our Natural, Historical, and Cultural Resources
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Ms. Kimberly Bose, Secretary June 14, 2015 Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 888 First Street NE Room 1A Washington, D.C. 20426 Re: Docket # PF15-3-000 - Mountain Valley Pipeline EIS Scoping Issues Petition Dear Ms. Bose: This letter transmits a petition to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission that identifies key issues that must be studied in the MVP Environmental Impact Study (EIS). This petition was circulated to the public by Preserve Craig between May 21 and June 14, 2015 in paper form and online. Of the 2,133 citizens who signed the petition, it is significant to note that over 62% are residents of Craig County, representing over 25% of the total population of Craig County. This petition brings to the attention of the FERC the fact that the Mountain Valley Pipeline proposed 110 Alternative Routes follow a nearly identical route to the utility corridor rejected by the federal government and the Commonwealth of Virginia in 1996 and should be eliminated from further consideration. The petition also outlines nine key issues that need to be included in the EIS. These issues are as follows: 1) Unstable slopes and karst terrain 2) Endangered Species 3) Water Quality 4) Cultural Attachment 5) Economic Impact 6) Public Safety 7) Damage to infrastructure 8) Alternative means of natural gas transport 9) Liability for damages More detailed descriptions of these issues are provided in the attached petition. We appreciate your prompt and thorough attention to this matter, and look forward to your response. Preserve Craig, Inc. Steering Committee Martha Dillard, Pam Easterling, Sam Easterling, Bill Gentry, Chuck Harris, Bonnie Joyce, Mary Keffer, Scott Klopfer, Marge Lewter, Tracy Roberts, Gene Seago, Larry Willis, Bill Wolf, and Jim Workman Preserve Craig, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation formed in 1991 using volunteers and donations to protect our natural, historical, and cultural resources. Tax Identification Number: 54-1597979 PRESERVE CRAIG PETITION TO THE FERC – ITEMS TO INCLUDE in Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) FOR Docket No. PF15-3-000 We the undersigned citizens respectfully request that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) accept and act upon the following issues regarding the proposed Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) natural gas transport project. The same path as the Mountain Valley Pipeline, Alternate 110 routes was thoroughly studied by the federal government and the Commonwealth of Virginia as to suitability for a utility corridor. In 1996 the Alternative 110 routes were denied as a utility corridor. Therefore the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) should promptly eliminate the Alternate 110 routes from further consideration in the certification process. If not eliminated at this time, then the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) must thoroughly analyze and respond to the following issues as they specifically relate to the 110 routes and Craig County during its environmental impact review process: 1) UNSTABLE SLOPES and KARST TERRAIN. Construction on our very steep slopes will cause irreparable damage. 2) ENDANGERED SPECIES. Soil erosion will pollute streams and harm wildlife, including the rare and endangered James Spinymussel, Atlantic Pigtoe, Roughhead Shiner, Orange Finned Madtom. The pipeline would disrupt bald eagles, bats, and several plant species. 3) WATER QUALITY. Craig County is headwaters and primary water storage reserve for much of the mid-Atlantic. Construction will harm our water supply, negatively impacting springs, wells, surface and underground. Clean water, a matter of national security, is critically important to Craig County with its heavy dependence on wells and springs for household and livestock supply, and for all who live downstream. 4) CULTURAL ATTACHMENT. With 5000+ residents in a County dominated by 54% National Forest, the landscape is what defines us, our communities, and our lifestyles. A deforested corridor will permanently scar the landscape and our view sheds and irreparably damage our ties to the land, to which our rural culture is significantly attached. 5) ECONOMIC IMPACT. Negative economic impacts to tourism, agricultural land usage, and property values will directly harm Craig County and needs to be assessed by itself and separately, in the context of Environmental Justice given the disproportionate number of elderly in the population and the number living under the poverty level. 6) PUBLIC SAFETY. As a matter of public safety, including fear of and risks of human harm, MVP must avoid any structures within the 3709 foot “Recommended Evacuation Distance”. Location near wilderness and much national forest poses risk of devastating forest fire. 7) INFRASTRUCTURE. The pipeline corridor is dangerously close to flood control dams in the Johns Creek area that will be at risk from excess sediment and storm water runoff. Impacts on the dams and loss of flood control must be analyzed. 8) ALTERNATIVES. There must be thorough analysis of all alternative means of transporting natural gas including rail, the use of existing utility and transportation corridors, as well as shorter transport to Lake Erie and subsequent LNG or compressed gas by ship to domestic and foreign markets. 9) LIABILITY. There needs to be a requirement of a permanent bond to be held by Craig County, adequate to cover all potential future costs and damages, including FEMA reimbursements, and eventual removal of the pipeline. This is especially important given that Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) is a limited liability company (LLC) and EQT, managing partner of Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP), has a record of committing environmental crimes. These significant negative impacts cannot be avoided nor mitigated. If the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) does not exclude the Alternate 110 routes from further consideration, the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) must provide full and complete analysis of these effects and alternatives. Preserve Craig Petition to the FERC-Items to Include in the EIS May 21, 2015 through June 13, 2015 http://www.petitionbuzz.com/Exported on June 14, 2015 Date Name Location May 21 2015 Bill Wolf Sinking Creek, Craig County, VA May 22 2015 Martha J. Dillard Craig County VA May 22 2015 William H. Gentry II Craig County May 22 2015 Scott Klopfer Simmonsville, VA May 22 2015 Patricia Ann Seago Craig County, VA May 22 2015 Gordon Jones craig County May 22 2015 Donna Jones Craig County May 22 2015 Stephanie Surprenant Botetourt, Virginia May 22 2015 James Workman Craig Co. May 22 2015 Alison Deforest Jones Denver Colorado May 22 2015 Elizabeth C. Huffman Craig County May 22 2015 Greg S. Huffman Craig County May 22 2015 Morgan Leigh Vass May 22 2015 anne chambers giles county May 22 2015 Heather Huffman New Castle, VA May 22 2015 fran green bedford va May 22 2015 Jeremy Bradley Newport, VA May 22 2015 Mary Leigh Smith Morbey Craig County, Virginia May 22 2015 Pamela Easterling Black Diamond, Craig County May 22 2015 JAY SPRAKER 24127 May 22 2015 James B Ringer Black Doamond Craig co. May 22 2015 Judith Wilhoit Hopkins 1878 Miller Cove May 22 2015 Katharyn Douglass Hopkins 1878 Miller Cove May 22 2015 Brian R. Murphy Craig County, VA May 22 2015 Martha A. Murphy Craig County, VA May 22 2015 Chip & Debbie Snead Craig County, VA May 22 2015 Charles G. Harris SInking Creek, Craig County May 22 2015 Virginia A Duggins Craig County May 22 2015 Margie Harris Sinking Creek, Craig County May 22 2015 Marge Lewter Craig County May 22 2015 Carrie B. Crawford Craig County, VA May 22 2015 Erik Engberg Cary, NC May 22 2015 Goce Kalinov California May 22 2015 Linda Stewart Charleston, SV May 22 2015 Leighanna Morbey New York May 22 2015 Ruth Zimmer Hendrick Craig County May 22 2015 Jennifer Anne Thomas Virginia Beach, Virginia May 22 2015 David Somers May 22 2015 W. Eugene Seago Craig county May 22 2015 Katie Shoemaker Christiansburg, VA May 22 2015 Kristi DeCourcy Catawba, Virginia May 22 2015 Raymond Gary Hendrick Miller Cove Craig County May 22 2015 Emily Susko Santa Cruz, CA May 22 2015 Danielle Sparks Peaceful valley road craig county May 22 2015 Brendan Runde May 22 2015 Terri Waid Mount Tabor, Blacksburg May 22 2015 Beatriz Mogollon Blacksburg May 22 2015 Kathleen alexander Blacksburg VA May 22 2015 David R. Lugar Mt Pleasant, NC 28124 May 22 2015 Michael r.paxton craig co. May 22 2015 jessie bostic craig May 22 2015 Steven paxton craig co. May 22 2015 Anne Hilborn Blacksburg VA May 22 2015 Eric Hallerman Blacksburg, VA May 22 2015 david john woodward richmond, virginia May 22 2015 Victor DiCenzo Blacksburg, VA May 22 2015 Andrew fuller May 22 2015 Nellie Keffer Craig county May 22 2015 Eddie Meadows Craig May 22 2015 Allison Meadows Craig May 22 2015 Della Meadows Craig May 22 2015 Brittany Boyd Craig May 22 2015 Louise Mullins Tazewell May 22 2015 Enoch Mullins Tazewell County May 22 2015 Ronals Mullins Tazewell County May 22 2015 Patti Lynn Spangler Allman 7083 Foxfire Rd. Catawba, Va. 24070 May 22 2015 Ann Workman Craig May 22 2015 Elza Duncan Craig Co. May 22 2015 Sharon Okie Blacksburg, VA May 22 2015 Ned Okie Blacksburg, VA May 22 2015 Katherine Okie Blacksburg, VA May 22 2015 Mike Allen Florida May 22 2015 Lauren Olbeter Brownsville, TX May 22 2015 Thomas A. Morgan 14510 Cumberland Gap Rd, New Castle May 22 2015 Maureen gerald cowley farmington mi May 22 2015 Phyllis E. Morgan 14510 Cumberland Gap Rd, New Castle May 22 2015 James C Watkins Charlotte Court House, VA May 22 2015 Colleen Whiteford Shenandoah County VA May 22 2015 Amy Wehrle Kentucky May 22 2015 Dennis Huffman craig co May 22 2015 Florence Huffman craig county va May 22 2015 Jaclyn Lindsey Dinkins New Castle, VA May 22 2015 Andrew Shamaskin Starkville, Mississippi May 22 2015 Sarah Coyle Roanoke, VA May 22 2015 Beverly Taylor Montgomery County May 22 2015 Catherine Gillespie Diaz Fairfax VA May 22 2015 Sheree Ringer Black Diamond Craig County May 22 2015 M.W.