Preserve Craig is urgently seeking tax deductible donations for the legal efforts to stop the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP). Current focus is on blocking the Forest Service from changing its management plan, which would allow construction through Jefferson National Forest on very steep terrain. Since the launch of this effort, the non-profit has raised $10,000, which is one third of the $30,000 estimated cost to appeal and block the final Forest Service Record of Decision.
Preserve Craig launched this expanded fundraising campaign at the Craig County Fall Festival earlier this month and is making great progress toward this initial goal to protect our forests. The Forest Service announced on Monday that it was coldly and boldly rejecting all objections to its proposed changes, without explanation or intention to honor requests to meet and arbitrate the changes.
There are also other legal avenues being pursued, including reversing the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) decision and following up with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. These efforts are also being coordinated with other groups.
Other related legal efforts are also in the news this week. The Roanoke County Board of Supervisors voted this week on a motion to request a re-hearing of the FERC license for MVP at its meeting on October 24, 2017. The Board held a closed-door session last week to discuss the motion. At press time, the final decision was not available.
Both lawsuits to block MVP from eminent domain are also moving forward. The first hearing federal court hearing of the Gentry-Locke case will be held next Friday, November 3, at the Poff Building in Roanoke.
Finally, the Preserve Craig petition asking the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and the State Water Control Board to protect our soils and waters from undue erosion and permanent damage was submitted this week with hundreds of signatures. The Water Control Board is scheduled to meet in December to decide if it will allow MVP to build on steep slopes, cross hundreds of streams and wetlands and generate tens of thousands of tons of sedimentation.
Special thanks to all the new volunteers and donors!! Please give us a call or email, check out our website. More information on these efforts and what you can do to participate can be found at the Preserve Craig website.
Preserve Craig, Inc. is a 501C3 nonprofit volunteer public charity formed in 1991 using volunteers and donations to protect our natural, historical and cultural resources. Tax-deductible donations are welcome online at http://www.preservecraig.org or by mail to: Preserve Craig, Inc., PO Box 730, New Castle, VA. 24127. Phone: 540-309 9560. Email: preservecraig@gmail.com