Cow Knob Salamander Photo by Steven David Johnson The US Forest Service has just rejected the Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP) route 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 WV. According to a USFS letter, dated Jan. 19, 2016, the ACP route is inconsistent with the GWNF and Monongahela National Forest plans and the Cow Knob Salamander Conservation Agreement.
The proposed route, shown on the map below, grazes the southern boundary of our Shenandoah Mountain National Scenic Area proposal. It crosses Rt. 250 near Ramseys Draft Wilderness and passes through the GWNF near Braley Pond, one of the most scenic areas of the GWNF.
The FS letter states that "alternatives must be developed to facilitate further processing" of the ACP application. Any new alternative(s) must avoid Shenandoah Mountain. This is good news for special places on our public lands the Virginia Wilderness Committee is working hard to protect.
The proposed route, shown on the map below, grazes the southern boundary of our Shenandoah Mountain National Scenic Area proposal. It crosses Rt. 250 near Ramseys Draft Wilderness and passes through the GWNF near Braley Pond, one of the most scenic areas of the GWNF.
The FS letter states that "alternatives must be developed to facilitate further processing" of the ACP application. Any new alternative(s) must avoid Shenandoah Mountain. This is good news for special places on our public lands the Virginia Wilderness Committee is working hard to protect.
The US Forest Service has rejected the proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline over Shenandoah Mountain.
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