Forest Service Permits Construction on Mountain Valley Pipeline

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Forest Service has issued a decision allowing construction of the Mountain Valley Pipeline on public land in the Jefferson National Forest. 

Amy Mall, senior advocate with the Nature program at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council), made the following statement:

“Permitting a pipeline to run through the Jefferson National Forest is an egregious example of handing over public lands for the private profit of a wealthy few. There has never been any documented need for this pipeline or the gas it might supply. 

“This would allow construction on very steep slopes through a pristine forest, creating significant safety risks, not to mention the sedimentation, hydrology and wildlife impacts it is sure to bring. 

“We stand with the communities and thousands of people who oppose Mountain Valley Pipeline and the threats it brings to clean water, climate and ecosystems.”

Construction of the pipeline has been on hold since a court voided federal permits, and will require further permitting by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which is expected to make a decision next month.

The states of Virginia and West Virginia have alleged that the pipeline’s operator has more than 300 violations of state water quality standards. 

NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Established in 1970, NRDC uses science, policy, law, and people power to confront the climate crisis, protect public health, and safeguard nature. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Bozeman, MT, Beijing and Delhi (an office of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd). Visit us at www.nrdc.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC.