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FERC deadline for Constitution 'interveners' July 17
7/9/2013 |
The public has until next Wednesday, July 17, to "intervene" with the Federal Regulatory Commission on the proposed Constitution Pipeline.
Those who intervene become an integral part of the review process, according to the Center for Sustainable Rural Communities' Bob Nied; the organization has been fighting plans for the 122-mile natural gas pipeline through parts of Schoharie County since it was first proposed more than a year ago.
Those who want to become interveners must register with FERC, which is now reviewing the project.
Directions for how to register are on the Stop the Pipeline website, Stopthepipeline.org.
Stop the Pipeline's Schoharie Action Committee will be conducting door-to-door visits along the proposed pipeline this week to help people with the intervention process.
The Center for Sustainable Rural Communities, 296 Main Street, Richmondville, will hold special training sessions to help those wishing to intervene on Thursday, July 11, from 10am-2pm, Friday, July 12, from 6-8pm, and Saturday, July 13, from 9am-noon.
The group will provide high-speed internet access, computer terminals, and volunteers to help with the FERC registration process.
The group is also offering consultation to town, village, and county boards that wish to intervene. Call 872-3903 or email info@ruralcommunities.org.
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One of the groups which has already registered as an intervener is the Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society, which has hired Earthjustice to represent it in the process.
DOAS is concerned about environmental impacts from the pipeline, especially threats to local birds, said Co-President Andy Mason of Jefferson.
"The pipeline as planned will fragment some of the best remaining bird habitat in the region," said Mr. Mason, running through state forest land as well as a designated Audubon Important Bird Area.
"Clearly there is little regard on their part for sensitive environmental areas."