HomeMy WebLinkAbout20140957 Ver 2_Against Letter_20170822August 16, 2017
Karen Higgins
Supervisor
401 & Buffer Permitting Branch
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC
27699-1617
Re: Proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline
Common sense should tell us that it is not possible to build a 36" diameter pipeline, 186 miles in
length, pumping 1.5 billion cubic feet of methane gas a day through, under, or across every
wetland, stream, creek, and river the length of Eastern North Carolina without something going
wrong. The project will certainly degrade the State's waters.
I also seriously doubt that the State has the resources to properly inspect such a construction
project.
But there is another, larger issue at play, and one that resource agencies everywhere are going to
have to grapple with sooner rather than later.
The New York Times published an unreleased draft on Monday, August 7, 2017. The 543 -page
report was written by scientists from 13 federal agencies, including the Environmental Protection
Agency and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
It concludes that temperatures in the U.S. have risen sharply, by 1.6 degrees Fahrenheit, over the
last 150 years and that it is "extremely likely that most of the global mean temperature increase
since 1951 was caused by human influence on climate."
The report, completed this year and part of the National Climate Assessment, has already been
approved by the National Academy of Sciences, according to the Times. "Evidence for a changing
climate abounds, from the top of the atmosphere to the depths of the oceans," the report states.
"Thousands of studies conducted by tens of thousands of scientists around the world have
documented changes in surface, atmospheric, and oceanic temperatures; melting glaciers;
disappearing snow cover; shrinking sea ice; rising sea level; and an increase in atmospheric water
vapor. Many lines of evidence demonstrate that human activities, especially emissions of
greenhouse (heat -trapping) gases, are primarily responsible for recent observed climate changes."
With "very high confidence," the scientists concluded that "the magnitude of climate change
beyond the next few decades depends primarily on the additional amount of greenhouse gases
emitted globally."
So why would we continue to approve projects that contribute to the problem, namely, the demise
of life on this planet as we know it.
Not only will the Atlantic Coast Pipeline contribute to the degradation of Eastern North Carolina's
water resources, but the doubling down on the use of methane gas will contribute to the planet's
global warming.
This project cannot be approved and the permit application must be denied.
Sincerely,
Stuart W. Bass
PO Box 176
Red Oak, NC
27868
NO PERMIT MEETING 8/15/17
I am an endangered citizen and that is why I am speaking! The Atlantic Coast Pipeline is a dangerous
Project, full of risk at every step; it must be stopped. Those who have studied the dangers and speak
against the pipeline are our protectors; they should be thanked. They are trying to protect the
environment, water, land, air, wildlife and human life. They want us to have a decent future. The
energy companies damage and destroy for GREED.
Those here today from state agencies, that are charged with being our protectors, keeping us safe, and
healthy with a viable future. Please help us. Enough evidence has been produced to date to show the
pipeline is not needed and puts our health, air, water, !and everything at risk. We ask, plead and even
beg of you to protect us from the known risks and stop the pipeline. No permits! Many spills from
industry; often on purpose had to be discovered later. We know the pipeline is a huge danger and risk
before it is built. We can prevent the danger it will cause to our environment, air, water, land, health
and well-being. it is beyond conscience to believe at this point our leaders would allow this to be built
knowing short term and long- term people will be hurt and long-term health issues will cause death!
Short term damage includes environmental issues, loss of wetlands and endangered species and human
life. Seniors and low-income folk have been targeted. Land and home values really lowered, use of
!and, agriculture losses, air, water, water and land pollution every day from leakage of methane gas,
which is 85 percent more dangerous than coal to the air; and the water and the land it spreads into has
greater damage.
Long term air quality is greatly harmed—the air quality for residences can cause constant health issues.
The damage to the atmosphere and the ozone layers causes huge warming of the planet with very
dangerous chemicals. NO PERMITS.
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Just a note ...
August 12, 2017
NC Division of Water Resources
401 Permitting
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh NC 27699-1617
Dear Committee Members,
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I write to petition you to vote against further Atlantic Coast Pipeline development.
My reasons are based on several factors including my deep concern for our
common environment, my questioning that at this time we no longer need the
pipeline, that the economic bottom line and about economic development. The plan
of economic development will wreck the human condition of many of the most
vulnerable communities along the pipeline route.
Leaks of Methane gas from the pipeline and of volatile organic compound
emissions from compressor stations will obviously increase greenhouse gas
emissions, both which will impact the neighboring community health and will
move us beyond the 2% Celsius level.
• The very need for increased gas supply capacity is currently questionable. Some
studies suggest that the pipeline will be underutilized since electric utilities
appear not to need the projected gas they have contracted for. Also, ratepayers
should not be liable to pay for construction costs and the capacity that utilities
have already contracted to purchase.
• Safety and economic risks, finally, seem the most urgent cause for pause and re-
consideration of the very premise of the ACP, still expected to finish by late
2018.
■ Expediting the schedule can predictably means higher safety risks for
residents, higher costs for local governments and less time on vital
inspection and oversight.
Close proximity of the ACP to residential areas could cause increases in
homeowner's insurance, detrimental effects on market value of nearby
properties. Landowners are at risk of having to sell property at a loss.
They also risk having their property seized through eminent domain for
less than market value and temporarily or even pennanently damaged by
construction operations.
I urge each of you to examine in your minds and hearts, these significant and very
concrete concerns I have described, as grounds for your re -consideration of any
further ACP development. Your responsibility is surely to the people and not to the
companies who will profit for their shareholders.
I ask your examination as an older person (I will be 80 in November), as a mother
and grandmother of the next generation who has to bear the financial burden and
the very air they breathe—dependent on this specific decision and otherrsimilar.
Respectfully submitted,
Lucy Christopher (Lifelong North Carolina citizen)
August 7, 2017
TO: 401 Permitting Branch
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
I am writing to you with upmost urgency to say NO/REJECT any permit for Atlantic Coast
Pipeline or any pipeline to be put through our waterways and farms/land in Halifax County.
Many of my own family members and I were born and grew up on our parents and
grandparents farm and have been contemplating on building homes on our farm in Enfield.
We, in Halifax County, are faced with the EXTREME exploitation by Atlantic Coast Pipeline to
put a high pressured pipeline through our community of mainly African-American farms. Farms
for many years have been a source of income for livelihood in our African-American
Community. Our farms produce natural/organic foods for us and we want them to stay that
way.
This pipeline will contaminate our waterways, water sources, be destructive to our
ecosystem/habitat, and destroy our precious mineral resources. In addition, we will lose acres
of land and our farms will be devalued/degraded. Our property rights will be restricted as to
what and when we can build on our own farms. No pipeline last forever, instead they can and
have in many instances succumbed to leaks, breaks and rust which can cause devastating
explosionsH WE DO NOT WANT A PIPELINE ON OUR LANDH
PLEASE, PLEASE DO NOT ISSUE ANY PERMITS TO ATLANTIC COAST PIPELINE AND THEIR
AFFILIATES/COMPANIES TO DESTROY THE PURITY OF OUR WATER, WATERWAYS AND
ENVIRONMENTH HELP USI! THE ENCLOSED ATTACHMENT OF INFORMATION WILL SHOW THE
EXTREME NEGATIVE IMPACT OF THE PIPELINE ROUTE—THE APPALACHIAN KARST/ALSO
KNOWN AS COASTAL PLAIN UNCONSOLIDATED SEDIMENTS AND CARBONATE ROCK WILL HAVE
ON OUR WATERWAYS, FARMS/LAND IN HALIFAX COUNTYI I HELP USII PLEASE SAY NO/REJECT
THIS PIPELINE OR ANY PIPELINE TO PROTECT OUR WATERWAYS, WATER AND ENVIRONMENT.
P
Sincerely, ``
Normandy Solom , Blackman
Concerned Stewards of Halifax County/BREDL Chapter
2129 Hidden Valley Lane
Silver Spring, MD 20904
301-989-2572
August 6, 2017
TO: 401 Permitting Branch
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
I am writing to you with upmost urgency to say NO/REJECT any permit for Atlantic Coast
Pipeline or any pipeline to be put through our waterways and farms/land in Halifax County.
Many of my own family members and I were born and grew up on our parents and
grandparents farm and have been contemplating on building homes on our farm in Enfield.
We, in Halifax County, are faced with the EXTREME exploitation by Atlantic Coast Pipeline to
put a high pressured pipeline through our community of mainly African-American farms. Farms
for many years have been a source of income for livelihood in our African-American
Community. Our farms produce natural/organic foods for us and we want them to stay that
way.
This pipeline will contaminate our waterways, water sources, be destructive to our
ecosystem/habitat, and destroy our precious mineral resources. In addition, we will lose acres
of land and our farms will be devalued/degraded. Our property rights will be restricted as to
what and when we can build on our own farms. No pipeline last forever, instead they can and
have in many instances succumbed to leaks, breaks and rust which can cause devastating
explosions!! WE DO NOT WANT A PIPELINE ON OUR LAND! I
PLEASE, PLEASE DO NOT ISSUE ANY PERMITS TO ATLANTIC COAST PIPELINE AND THEIR
AFFILIATES/COMPANIES TO DESTROY THE PURITY OF OUR WATER, WATERWAYS AND
ENVIRONMENT IN HALIFAX COUNTYH HELP USI!
Sin rely,
Normandy Solomolackman
Concerned Stewa ds of Halifax County/BREDL Chapter
2129 Hidden Valley Lane
Silver Spring, MD 20904
301-989-2572
�,�! 5 2017
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If the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, LLC. or any pipeline Is permitted to cross our waterways, then we neglect
All for survival and sustainability for now and our generations to come.
There are three crucial reason why.
1. The permitting would: affect a disproportionately large impact on African American's water
Quality 67 % living along the pipeline route according to Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel, Ph.D Associate
Professor and University Faculty Scholar North Carolina State University with the Department of
Forestry and Environmental Resources analyzed demographic data.;
2. , The ACP has chosen as its route, the Appalachian Karst, also call the Coastal Plain Unconsolidated
sediments and Carbonate Rock. FERC has advised that Karst areas are avoided. Karst areas
according to Doctor Dan Doctor in his digital copy listed Karst in the United States: A digital map
compilation and database: U.S. Geological Survey pen -File Report That coastal plain units that
contain limestone and/or other carbonate mineral accumulations generally do not pose a risk of
subsidence through surface collapse. solutional meanings pathways in the sedimentary layers
exist, these pathways may contribute to enhancing rapid groundwater flow, and thus the aquifers
within these units may be susceptible to contamination from the surface. Therefore all people east
of this pipeline route water quality will be affected. ACP discloses how they will work with surface
water bodies but what about the subsurface bodies of water.. If nothing is done to protect all
sources, then eventually. the entire east coast of NC will become contaminated and all living
things impacted from Northampton to Robeson Counties
3. We need to take a very close look at the protection listed on NC DEQ site Sources of Potential
Ground water Contamination. It is stated there that with groundwater, once a contaminate - let's
say it is LNG - reaches the ground water among factors such as size, form and rate of movement,
and is hidden from view, contamination can go undetected for years. We are concerned not only
about our surface bodies of water but protection of subsurface areas also.
The Concerned Stewards of Halifax County adamantly ask that NO permitting is given since we are
coastal with turbulent weather conditions and personal effects on our properties.
This paper provides a breakdown of each reason.
A Precursor to the human development approach is a traditional list of immediate "basic needs" - food &
water, shelter, and clothing. Without water, the others cease to exist for ALL living things. Limiting
factors in our environment can prevent living things from surviving. His findings shares the number of
African Americans affected by the impact of environmental justice to our water resources. He found that
African Americans make up nearly 52% of the county's population, yet they make up 67% of the people
living along the pipeline route in Halifax County. In contrast, the county is 40% White, yet Whites make
up only 19% of people living along the Pipeline route in Halifax County. He continues to share that If the
effects of the pipeline were equal in the county, you would expect about half of the people living along the
route to be African American, and you would expect about 40% of them to be White. Instead, you find
that African Americans make up a greater fraction of the population than expected, and Whites make up a
smaller fraction than expected. This is a disproportionately large impact on African Americans
living in Halifax County. Data that He used from the DEIS give the following census tracts along the
pipeline route in Halifax: CT 9306, CT 9308, CT 9309, CT 9310d, CT 9301.
Secondly, from Northampton County on south to Robeson County However, where Therefore, my
concerns are if we must be careful of these sensitive areas even as it relates to tourist, then we should be
very careful of heavy pipelines, equipment and materials. According to Dr. Dan Doctor, a senior
Geologist: in his Karst in the United States: A digital map compilation and database: U.S. Geological Survey
Open -File Report Report That coastal plain units that contain limestone and/or other carbonate mineral
accumulations generally do not pose a risk of subsidence through surface collapse. solutional meanings
pathways in the sedimentary layers exist, these pathways may contribute to enhancing rapid
groundwater flow, and thus the aquifers within these units may be susceptible to contamination from the
surface. There are surface bodies of water but also subsurface bodies of water such as underground
springs, sinking streams, piping cave, sinkholes. For an example, citizens affected by the pipeline's
impact near the surface Fishing Creek also have sub surface Fishing Creek under their properties as
revealed by Arcgis. On our properties, there is the surface historic Beaverdam Swamp Creek Tributary
which is an aquifer of Fishing Creek needing portion of it unique Spiny Mussels of the Tar/ Pamlico River
Basin However, on the south end of our properties, there is the subsurface Beech swamp underground
which discharges in Scotland Neck, NC. ACP discloses how they will work with surface water bodies but
what about the subsurface bodies of water.. If nothing is done to protect all sources, then eventually. the
entire east coast of NC will become contaminated and all living things impacted from Northampton to
Robeson Counties.
Finally, it is very crucial according to your mission to protect our water supply that we esteem highly the
Wellhead Project Program. We need to take a very close look at the protection listed on NC DEQ site
Sources of Potential Ground water Contamination. It is stated there that with groundwater, once a
contaminate - let's say it is LNG - reaches the ground water among factors such as size, form and rate of
movement, and is hidden from view, contamination can go undetected for years. We are concerned not
only about our surface bodies of water but protection of subsurface areas also
We seek defense of water quality by protecting, preserving and conserving our water supply for ALL
livings, or otherwise it is imminent that nothing sustains, nor survives Let's protect our public and
private waterways.
Do not provide 401 permits. to destroy our communities, our, environments, our ecosystem, our
beautiful North Carolina, our Mother Earth which have been given dominion over by God such as of our
109 acres, 102 are impacted by stream stands either Perennial, intermittent, ephemeral, and ditches.
Protect All of us under your jurisdiction because characteristics for our farm is the same for all Halifax
County
Valerie Williams
Concerned Stewards of Halifax County/ BREDL Chapter
Valwilliams6C)gmail.com
252.903.1340
Suggested citation:
Weary, D.J., and Doctor, D.H., 2014, Karst in the United States: A digital map compilation and database: U.S.
Geological Survey Open -File Report 2014-1156, 23 p., https:Ildx.doi.orgl]0.31331gfr20]41156.
ISSN 2331-1258 (online)
August 7, 2017
TO: 401 Permitting Branch
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
I am writing to you with upmost urgency to say NO/REJECT any permit for Atlantic Coast
Pipeline or any pipeline to be put through our waterways and farms/land in Halifax County.
Many of my own family members and I were born and grew up on our parents and
grandparents farm and have been contemplating on building homes on our farm in Enfield.
We, in Halifax County, are faced with the EXTREME exploitation by Atlantic Coast Pipeline to
put a high pressured pipeline through our community of mainly African-American farms. Farms
for many years have been a source of income for livelihood in our African-American
Community. Our farms produce natural/organic foods for us and we want them to stay that
way.
This pipeline will contaminate our waterways, water sources, be destructive to our
ecosystem/habitat, and destroy our precious mineral resources. In addition, we will lose acres
of land and our farms will be devalued/degraded. Our property rights will be restricted as to
what and when we can build on our own farms. No pipeline last forever, instead they can and
have in many instances succumbed to leaks, breaks and rust which can cause devastating
explosionsH WE DO NOT WANT A PIPELINE ON OUR LANDH
PLEASE, PLEASE DO NOT ISSUE ANY PERMITS TO ATLANTIC COAST PIPELINE AND THEIR
AFFILIATES/COMPANIES TO DESTROY THE PURITY OF OUR WATER, WATERWAYS AND
ENVIRONMENTH HELP USI I THE ENCLOSED ATTACHMENT OF INFORMATION WILL SHOW THE
EXTREME NEGATIVE IMPACT OF THE PIPELINE ROUTE—THE APPALACHIAN KARST/ALSO
KNOWN AS COASTAL PLAIN UNCONSOLIDATED SEDIMENTS AND CARBONATE ROCK WILL HAVE
ON OUR WATERWAYS, FARMS/LAND IN HALIFAX COUNTYH HELP USI I PLEASE SAY NO/REJECT
THIS PIPELINE OR ANY PIPELINE TO PROTECT OUR WATERWAYS, WATER AND ENVIRONMENT.
Sincerely,
Normandy Solom n Blackman
Concerned Stewards of Halifax County/BREDL Chapter
2129 Hidden Valley Lane
Silver Spring, MD 20904
301-989-2572
5320 Cascade Dr.
Chapel Hill, NC
Aug. 3 2017
RE: Atlantic Coast Pipeline
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I am writing to ask you not to grant a permit for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. There are numerous reasoi
for this. It has been proven that methane is a much more potent contributor to greenhouse gases and
global warming that carbon dioxide. During this time of record heat and extreme weather events, to
name a few of the effects of global warming, it is destructive to the natural world and human
populations to continue to use natural gas, especially when we have good alternatives! I
I also understand and have heard this for a couple of years now, that in NC our electricity usage has
evened out, so that the building of the new gas fired plants is not even necessary. We don't need this
natural gas in NC. In our state we have so many opportunities to develop and use wind, solar and
geothermal technologies, as well as implement conservation measures. These are the areas we should
be focusing on. It seems that Duke Power is not motivate to pursue safe clean energy. They have a
track record of discouraging solar energy in our state. They actively fought the Energy Freedom Act, to
allow solar companies to install solar on private homes and buildings in NC, and their stated goal of
supplying energy using alternative energy sources in their company is very low, I believe well under 10%
of total energy.
Last, but definitely not least in importance, are the negative environmental and social impacts of
building a pipeline. Forests, wetlands, streams, and creeks would suffer. There are lots of issues having
to do with erosion, water quality, effects on groundwater etc. that are not adequately addressed. There
would be negative effects on fish and wildlife close to the pipeline. The impact on the human
communities, including Native American and disadvantaged people living in the affected areas has not
been adequately studied. We know the pipeline would provide very few and primarily temporary jobs.
I strongly encourage you to make a bold statement in favor of protecting our climate by NOT approving
this pipeline that is unnecessar,-, would Fromote the release of toxic methane into the atm,#Ai&u-ygr.CL0
would hurt our North Carolina woodlands, streams, wildlife and peoples. I have lived in NC for over 60
years and would love to see it be a leader in stopping harmful practices and thereby helping to create
clean and safe energy sources for all of us and our children and grandchildren.
Sincerely,
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SHELDON & SHEILA RAPPAPORT
12 TROON DRIVE
PINEHURST, NC 28374-6710
910 603-6361
shellyrap3@gmail.com
July 31, 2017
410 Permitting Branch
1617 Mail Service center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1617 4
RE: Proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline into North Carolina
AUG 0 2 2017
We are vehemently opposed to the construction of this pipeline. First, it is common
knowledge that fracking is costly and an inefficient method of obtaining natural gas. It
has been the cause for earthquakes in areas where they were a rare occurrence. Running a
massive pipeline with numerous compressing stations through both North Carolina and
neighboring states is detrimental to our environment and natural resources. Please do not
issue a permit for this project!
eldo�Rappaport Sheila Rappaport
1407 N. Overlook Dr. • Greenville, NC 27858 • Tel. 434-979-7033 • bdglover(dyahoo.com
July 24, 2017
Department of Environmental Quality
401 Permitting
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh NC 27699-1617
Dear DEQ Administrator:
RECEIVED
JUL 2 7 2 017
DENR-LAND QUALITY
STORMWATER PERMITTING
I write to oppose 401 permitting for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline project in Eastern North Carolina. As a resident of
this region, I am deeply concerned about my own drinking water, as well as the integrity of the local ecosystem
where I live. We do not need more fossil -fuel infrastructure; we should concentrate on solar and wind installations,
which can be built on already -disturbed agricultural and industrial land. This project would be a disaster for me, my
family, and everyone else who lives here in Eastern NC. Please do not issue a permit.
Sincerely,
Brian Glover
a
0
1617Mail Service Center
| oppose approval ofProject #2O14-O957v2 which would grant a4O1Water Quality Certificate and
Buffer Authorization to Atlantic Coast Pipeline, LLC (ACP). The construction of this pipeline would cause
massive disruption of ecosystems and waterways in North Carolina, all for the purpose of advancing the
private interests of Dominion, Duke Energy and their partners. The residents of North Carolina are
already paying, in the form of a rate hike recently announced, for the coal ash disaster that is the result
of Duke Energy's irresponsible custodianship of the environment. It is unfair to allow another such
burden tobeplaced om North Carolinians. ACPs application fails toacknowledge and address the likely
impacts of the construction and operation of the pipeline on our streams, rivers and wetlands.
Additionally, studies have shown that this pipeline is NOT necessary to meet future demands and the
building of additional fossil fuel infrastructure will discourage the pursuit of sustainable energy
alternatives such as wind and solar. I encourage and expect the DEQ to live up to its responsibility to the
people of North Carolina by NOT granting a 401 Permit for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline.
Ms Sara i Rod'riguez
504 Glenn Ave
Rocky Mount, NC 27803