The Cow Knob Salamander has become SSVC's new best friend. The Forest Service cited protection of this rare woodland salamander as one of the reasons it rejected the Atlantic Coast Pipeline route across Shenandoah Mountain. Photo by Steven David Johnson The US Forest Service has denied the Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP) a special use permit to build a 42" natural gas pipeline over Shenandoah Mountain in Virginia and Cheat Mountain in West Virginia, citing protection of sensitive resources, including the Cow Knob Salamander, the Cheat Mountain Salamander, the West Virginia Northern flying squirrel, and Red Spruce ecosystem restoration areas in West Virginia. The Forest Service stated in its Jan. 19, 2016 letter that in order for the ACP application to receive further consideration, Dominion must develop route alternatives that completely avoid Shenandoah Mountain and Cow Knob Salamander habitat.
This is good news for SSVC. The proposed pipeline route would cross Shenandoah Mountain just south of Signal Corps Knob, cross Rt. 250 near Mountain House Picnic Area and Braley Pond, and then follow Dowells Draft Rd over Hankey Mountain. Our chapter took a position opposing the pipeline because of potential harmful effects on trails, scenic beauty, and plant and wildlife habitat:
As you may recall, SSVC led a series of hikes along the pipeline route both on Shenandoah and Hankey mountains and on the Blue Ridge near Humpback Rocks in late 2014 and early 2015. We wrote letters to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the George Washington National Forest, asking both to deny Dominion's application to build the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. Several club members spoke at public meetings on behalf of our chapter. Other club members have taken photos of special resources along the pipeline route that have been helpful. SSVC joined the Allegheny-Blue Ridge Alliance, a coalition of groups opposing the pipeline. Although this route rejection is a major setback for Dominion, their spokesman Jim Norvelle announced that they hope to find an acceptable alternate route elsewhere through the two national forests.
SSVC applauds the Forest Service decision not to allow the pipeline to pass through some of our most precious and beautiful recreational lands.
This is good news for SSVC. The proposed pipeline route would cross Shenandoah Mountain just south of Signal Corps Knob, cross Rt. 250 near Mountain House Picnic Area and Braley Pond, and then follow Dowells Draft Rd over Hankey Mountain. Our chapter took a position opposing the pipeline because of potential harmful effects on trails, scenic beauty, and plant and wildlife habitat:
- in the proposed Shenandoah Mountain National Scenic Area which our club has endorsed
- in the Braley Pond area
- along the Great Eastern Trail
- along the Appalachian Trail and Blue Ridge Parkway in the Humpback Rocks area
- in the Sherando Lake area
As you may recall, SSVC led a series of hikes along the pipeline route both on Shenandoah and Hankey mountains and on the Blue Ridge near Humpback Rocks in late 2014 and early 2015. We wrote letters to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the George Washington National Forest, asking both to deny Dominion's application to build the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. Several club members spoke at public meetings on behalf of our chapter. Other club members have taken photos of special resources along the pipeline route that have been helpful. SSVC joined the Allegheny-Blue Ridge Alliance, a coalition of groups opposing the pipeline. Although this route rejection is a major setback for Dominion, their spokesman Jim Norvelle announced that they hope to find an acceptable alternate route elsewhere through the two national forests.
SSVC applauds the Forest Service decision not to allow the pipeline to pass through some of our most precious and beautiful recreational lands.
The Forest Service has rejected the Atlantic Coast Pipeline route, shown in red.
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