By Russell Chisholm
for the Greenbrier River Watershed Association

Some brave young people are risking their lives atop Peters Mountain to help call attention to the travesty that is taking place across West Virginia and Virginia by the Mountain Valley Pipeline. They have positioned themselves in trees within the Jefferson National Forest where the MVP will cross the Appalachian Trail.

MVP has filed a complaint against them in Monroe County Circuit Court in West Virginia and a court hearing was held in Union on Tuesday, Mar. 13, at 1 p.m. at the Monroe County Courthouse.

The hearing may have been held in Monroe County, but the cause affects us all. While not condoning illegal activity, Save Monroe and other groups in West Virginia have called for a strong show of support for the cause these tree-sitters are championing and respectful presence in the courtroom. We urge POWHR coalition groups to join this effort.

The tree-sitters are bringing attention to a critical need: It’s time to call “Time-Out” on the Mountain Valley Pipeline. Construction should not be allowed to proceed until there is a fair Rehearing of the FERC Certificate and a resolution to pending legal challenges on fundamental eminent domain and environmental issues.

POWHR has no affiliation with the tree-sit on Peters Mountain, nor are we encouraging any illegal action. We hope, however, there will be a strong show of coalition support. This is a good opportunity for our coalition to show solidarity with a group who have risked their own personal safety, health and freedom to speak out and insist that this fight is not over.

For more information about the tree sitters you can see their public page: https://www.youcaring.com/pipelineresistance-1112790.