Dear Editor:
This proposed pipeline would require a 200 foot wide clear-cut through the National Forest public lands and would need access roads to build and maintain it. It may also require a compressor station. And it may be that Dominion Resources would spray herbicides along the right of way.
The Pocahontas Times of Dec. 4th reports that Dominon Resources’ 8-inch pipeline across the Panhandle has been cited for 13 water pollution violations impacting a total of 17 streams. One pipeline break leaked crude oil into Dry Fork in Doddridge County. The others involve soil slip and erosion. Dominion Resources failed to report the pipeline break that leaked crude oil.
The proposed pipeline would fragment the forest and wildlife habitat. The pipeline would encourage drilling for gas in the National Forest.
George Washington National Forest is in the Allegheny Mountains, being steep and narrow-crested, rising to 4,700 feet in West Virginia, so it would be subject to soil slip and erosion.
Eight rivers begin in Pocahontas County. Laying a 42-inch pipeline across these headwaters would be grossly irresponsible and would violate the Greenbrier River Watershed where we get our drinking water.
For these reasons Dominion Resources application for special use permits should be denied.
Robert Head
Lewisburg