Pipelines and the National Forests: A Conflict of Values
By Lewis Freeman, Executive Director, Allegheny-Blue Ridge Alliance It has been over four years since the first proposals were set forth to build two natural gas pipelines that begin in [...]
Congress fails to reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund
National and State of West Virginia conservation and recreation groups have requested that legislators permanently reauthorize theLand and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and not to allow the LWCF to expire [...]
The story on the Allegheny Front Migration Observatory in the September issue of The Highlands Voicegave an example of a question that a volunteer there would pose to visitors: Which [...]
Now that the new edition of the Hiking Guide to the Monongahela National Forest has come out, it is interesting to see where it all began. This is from the August, [...]
Atlantic Coast Pipeline Gets Another Go-Ahead
In September, The Highlands Voice reported that construction on the Atlantic Coast Pipeline had been stopped by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) because it did not have proper permits. [...]
Plan for Logging in Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge Draws Fire
By Rick Steelhammer A plan to commercially log at least 1,600 acres of northern hardwood forest in Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge to achieve wildlife and plant habitat improvement goals [...]
Entrance Fees in State Parks?????
A legislative audit has recommended that the Legislature should consider entrance fees for state parks. The park system estimates that the states needs between $75 million and $100 million for [...]
Forest Service Thinking about Drilling in National Forests
By John McFerrin The United States Forest Service is considering revising its rules that govern drilling for oil and gas in the National Forests. Background The United States Forest Service [...]
“I am the Lorax, I speak for the trees.” So says a line of a beloved children’s book. At this time of year, we urge you VOTE for the trees…and [...]
Maybe a New Acquisition for the Monongahela National Forest?
The United States Forest Service has an opportunity to acquire a 367 acre tract known as the Hooke Property. The property has high recreational value because it lies directly [...]
CROWDSOURCING OVERSIGHT OF PIPELINE CONSTRUCTION
By Rick Webb, Highlands Conservancy Board Member and Chair of the Allegheny-Blue Ridge Alliance CSI Program The Pipeline Compliance Surveillance Initiative (CSI), a program of the Allegheny-Blue Ridge Alliance (ABRA), [...]
Pipelines crossing the streams near you
By Cindy Rank ADMISSION: Having participated in, closely studied, and been fairly conversant with legal issues and challenges involving water law and problems caused by the coal industry – mainly [...]
West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection Wants to Make Pipeline Permitting Easier
By John McFerrin The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is trying to change the conditions that are placed on permits for stream and wetland crossings for natural gas [...]
Department of the Interior Kills Rule to Prevent Methane Waste on Public Lands
By John McFerrin The United States Department of the Interior has eliminated a rule that would reduce the leaking of methane from wells on public land. The rule being eliminated would [...]
Mountain Valley Pipeline Halted (for now) in Summers County
The Circuit Court of Summers County (Robert Irons, J) has granted a temporary stay of construction of the Mountain Valley Pipeline where it is proposed to cross the Greenbrier River [...]
