DEC. REPORT TO CARBON COUNTY STAKEHOLDERS
By SAVE CARBON COUNTY
PennEast/UGI Pipeline Project- Prepared 12/31/2020
There are only two remaining permits to be issued by the PA. Dept. of
Environmental Protection (PADEP) for the shortened Pennsylvania-only
PennEast pipeline. They are permits concerning erosion and sediment control
(Chapter 102) and water obstruction and encroachment (Chapter 105). This version of
the pipeline is only 68 miles long but it will impact over 17 acres of wetlands and cross
96 waterbodies. Most of these waterbodies and wetlands will be crossed using the
open-cut or trenched method—the most damaging option.
Nearly half of the impacted streams are in Carbon County; 16 are located within the
Aquashicola Watershed. This watershed has been under study by PADEP biologists
for re-designation to “Exceptional Value/Special.” These pipeline crossings will surely
diminish the water quality in this important Carbon County watershed and damage
habitat for native brook trout.
Carbon County residents value the beauty and special environment found here. This
pipeline will have a huge negative impact on that environment. It will cross Hickory
Run State Park, Bethlehem Water Authority lands, Weiser State Forest and Beltzville
State Park as well as preserved farms leaving an unnatural clear-cut through forests
that will be filled by non-native species like the Tree of Heaven and Japanese
Knotweed. Now is the time to speak out. Send your comments to
RA-EPPENNEAST@pa.gov before Jan. 20th.
Albertine Anthony passed away on Dec. 9th. She was 95 years old, a lifelong
farmer and the owner of one of the prettiest farms in the County. She put her family
farm in the farmland preservation program to protect it from development. Over the
years, she had many lucrative offers for the farm but always refused. When the
PennEast Pipeline came along she was adamant about fighting the pipeline and never
agreed to sell easements. More than once, she kicked PennEast land agents off of her
property and was not shy about telling company representatives what she thought of
their pipeline.
She left us a strong example of how to stand up to powerful interests. I am so glad I
had the opportunity to get to know her.
Save Carbon County is a member of a regional and two-state effort to stop the PennEast/UGI pipeline. Local
information can be found on FaceBook at “Stop the Fracking Pipeline.” Regional Information can be found on FaceBook at “Stop PennEast Pipeline.”
HALT PennEast 