Oil and Gas Drilling: Appalachian wildlands

The Mountain Valley Pipeline, a proposed 370-mile pipeline to carry natural gas from northern West Virginia, through Virginia and into North Carolina, stands to rip apart old-growth forests, beloved trails and family farms.

Despite huge public outcry, plans for the pipeline have advanced relentlessly. But recent victories in federal court bring hope, stopping construction and forcing a reanalysis of the project’s impacts.

Now, the future of the Appalachian Trail, as well as the health of forests, wildlands and waters in the pipeline’s path depend on the fate of the pipeline project.

First announced in 2014, the Mountain Valley Pipeline in West Virginia and Virginia and its Southgate extension into North Carolina would leave an everlasting scar along the proposed 370-mile route. Scaling steep ridges in the mountains and running parallel to the Appalachian Trail and Blue Ridge Parkway, the pipeline would blemish a forest escape revered and visited by many.

We oppose this pipeline because it recklessly endangers wild mountains, family farms and water quality for thousands of people. The proposed route would disturb habitat for black bears, foxes and beavers, pollute bubbling forest streams and mar the views from many beloved recreational areas such as the Peters Mountain and Brush Mountain Wilderness Areas. Moreover, no evidence has been provided to show that this infrastructure is even necessary.

We will continue our fight to defend against this pipeline, holding federal agencies accountable for preserving beloved public lands and trails.