Friends of Nelson County

Compressor Station Air Permit Update & Community Meeting
2018-11-01 18:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Union Hill Baptist Church, 1496 Union Hill Road (Rt. 663), Buckingham, VA, 23921, United States
Join us for food, community, and updates on the Buckingham Air Permit next steps. We’ll have time to craft our comments for the upcoming Air Board Meetings in Richmond Nov 8 & 9 as well.

Augusta Board of Zoning Appeals Hearing on Proposed ACP Pipe Yard
2018-11-01 13:30 - 16:00 | Augusta County Government Center, 18 Government Center Lane, Verona, VA, United States
On Thursday November 1, 2018, the Augusta Board of Zoning Appeals will consider Dominion’s request for a pipe yard in West Augusta. This request was first continued from the September meeting, then continued again from the October meeting.

Pipeline CSI Local Coordination/Compliance Review Workshop
2018-10-23 10:00 - 13:00 | Rockfish Valley Community Center, 190 Rockfish School Lane, Afton, VA, 22920, United States
You are invited to attend a Pipeline CSI Local Coordination/Compliance Review Workshop on Tuesday, October 23 from 10am-1pm at the Rockfish Valley Community Center.
The ACP and MVP construction work that has occurred so far is alarming, and the agencies seem unwilling or unable to ensure compliance with basic environmental requirements meant to protect us all. The importance of the CSI could not be more clear.
Many of you have expressed an interest in the CSI effort by completing our online form or by other means, and we hope you can attend. If not, we hope you can attend one of the next upcoming workshops that are in the works. We are making plans to hold similar meetings this season in Augusta and Buckingham Counties in Virginia and in Pocahontas and Buckhannon Counties in West Virginia.
If you can join us, please RSVP at the link below so that we can get a head count for the lunch we’d like to provide.
Seating will be limited to ~40, so please RSVP sooner rather than later. An outline of our day’s agenda is below (may be subject to adjustments).
RSVP Link: https://goo.gl/forms/Gh8L0ZZKQDanuj8Y2
Please contact Ben Cunningham (silvercunning@gmail.com) with any questions or concerns regarding this upcoming workshop.
AGENDA: October 23, 10-1, Rockfish Valley Community Center, Rockfish, Va.
CSI Local Coordination/Compliance Review Workshop
1. Introduction
A. Description of meeting content and objectives
B. Components of incident review
C. Data management
2. Local coordinator playbook
A. Organization of local coordinators
a. ACP geographic segments
B. Volunteers
a. Volunteer roles (observers and water data collectors)
b. Recruiting/training/deploying
C. Landowners
a. Engagement plus access to observation and water sampling locations
b. Recruiting/signing
D. Pipeline construction process
E. Top ten compliance issues
F. Incident identification flow process
3. CSI Mapping System
A. Content and Navigation
B. Use for compliance review
4. Compliance issues
A. List of top ten issues and related regulatory requirements
B. Photos related to each issue
C. Discussion of photo documentation
5. Submitting complaints to agencies
A. Virginia DEQ
B. West Virginia DEP
C. FERC
D. Forest Service
6. Meeting wrap-up
A. Designation of local coordinators
B. Identified loose ends
C. Need for additional work sessions/meetings
a. Local Coordination/Compliance Review Workshops
b. General CSI Overview Meetings
c. CSI Mapping System training
d. Drone workshops
e. Water quality monitoring training

Circle of Protection
2018-10-21 13:30 - 15:30 | Union Hill Baptist Church, 1496 Union Hill Road (Rt. 663), Buckingham, VA, 23921, United States
On Sunday afternoon October 21, 2018, rain or shine, join the Circle of Protection, an interfaith prayer vigil, co-produced by Friends of Buckingham County, Virginia and Water is Life. Protect It, to protect Buckingham County (and all of us!) from the proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline and the proposed Union Hill ACP Compressor Station. Expect neighbors, story, poetry and song. Expect fun.
The 1:30-3:30 vigils are open air (inside if rain) on the grounds of Union Hill Baptist Church, 1496 Union Hill Road (State Route 663), Buckingham, VA 23921. Indoor pot luck and speaker following in the church basement. The Circle of Protection is a collaboration of Friends of Buckingham, Union Hill/Grove Baptist Church, Yogaville, VSEC and Water is life. Protect it.
Print out directions for the event before setting forth as reception can be vague to nonexistent in certain parts of the county.

Spruce Creek Camp/Gathering
2018-10-19 15:00 - 2018-10-21 11:00, 2018-10-12 15:00 - 2018-10-14 11:00, 2018-10-05 15:00 - 2018-10-07 11:00
Spend the day or stay overnight at Spruce Creek Camp in Nelson County, Virginia on land threatened by the Atlantic Coast Pipeline.
The biggest regional land-clearing project since the federal highway program of the 1960s is now underway in Virginia. In order to build the Atlantic Coast and Mountain Valley pipelines, Dominion Energy and EQT are targeting vulnerable communities, destroying precious ecosystems, and threatening the livelihoods of Virginians far and wide.
Enough is enough. Join us in Nelson County this October for a peaceful and family-friendly encampment on the property of the Averitt’s. The Atlantic Coast Pipeline is slated to go right through their property, destroying beautiful Spruce Creek and cutting through the heart of Nelson County’s tourist attractions.
Mandatory sign up is required to schedule a time to visit for a day or camp for a few nights and learn about why this project is wrong for the people of Nelson, and all of Virginia. The camp will be held the first 3 weekends in October, from Friday mid-afternoon to Sunday late morning.
Click Here to Register For This Event
Space is limited. After you fill out the form, we will follow up with all the details you need to know regarding location, directions, recommended items to bring and more

Spruce Creek Camp is located at the base of Wintergreen.
A first aid center with emergency phone service will be available at the camp, as well as a full-time coordinator to greet you and provide assistance as needed.
Please bring your own camping equipment, folding chair and flashlight.
There are wild animals in the area and for the safety of everyone, we ask that you keep your food tied up in a tree or locked in your car.
Sharing food on site will be allowed. The Averitt’s will be sharing their food at the camp making gluten free and vegan dishes. There are also several restaurants in the area close by should you choose.
You will have the option to participate in community meals, hike, watch pertinent movies, listen to featured speakers and participate in community forums to discuss ongoing resistance to the ACP in Nelson County. Off property hiking, biking and suggested areas where the ACP would have an effect close by will be suggested for campers who are interested in venturing out on their own.

*** You must sign up prior to arrival to join the camp.***
Note: Cell service is limited for most providers except for Sprint.
Contact Deborah and or Sam for more information at sprucecreekgathering@gmail.com

Click here to watch a presentation from the Congressional Briefing landowner (and camp-out sponsor) Richard Averitt, participated in earlier this month sponsored by the Niskanen Center. It is 11 minutes long and deeply personal. It will surely shed light on the human side of the abuse of Eminent Domain and the entirely unnecessary Atlantic Coast and Mountain Valley Pipelines.

Blessing for Ona at Miracle Ridge
2018-10-19 11:00 - 14:00 | Bath County, VA, United States
Landowners Bill and Lynn Limpert invite you to join us for an interfaith ceremony on Miracle Ridge in Bath County, Virginia. We will honor Ona, a 300-year-old Sugar Maple tree, in the path of the proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline and host the ceremony at the base of her tree. With a vision for her safety, protection, and long-life, and a commitment to appreciate and love Ona, we ask the forest of Miracle Ridge to help us, in turn, envision and create a world beyond waste, pollution, and conflict war.
At this ceremony, we will lay a sculpture carved from the wood of a White Oak tree recently felled by pipeline construction activity — a fate that the ACP is planning to bring to ONA. The sculpture will be a symbol of our dependence on the forest for air, warmth, shelter, and food and will be placed to protect Ona from the current threat of the fossil fuels industry.There will be music, affirmation, prayer, and ceremony on this date at this time near Ona.
Here are the details:
WHAT: “Ona Commemoration Celebration” – a celebration of 300-year-old sugar maple tree “Ona” that lies in the path of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline.
WHEN: Friday, October 19th, 2018. Ceremony at 12 noon (please arrive by 11 AM to walk to Ona) including prayer and speakers from across Virginia.
WHERE: At the base of Ona tree on “Miracle Ridge.” Please RSVP for directions and more information and you will receive an email from Jamshid Bakhtiari, jamshid@chesapeakeclimate.org.
WHO: Virginians directly affected by the harmful Atlantic Coast Pipeline, joined by dozens of others including residents, students, faith and social justice leaders, and climate activists.
Camping information:
Visitors are invited but not required to camp nearby overnight before or after the ceremony. Camping is available at Hidden Valley Recreation Area, a ½ hour away, and Douthat State Park, about an hour away. The Limpert property is a 2 and ½ hour drive from Charlottesville.
Hidden Valley: about a 1/2 hour away. 31 campsites; first come — first served; $10/night at a self-serve pay station. Bring your own drinking water.
There are a few more undeveloped camping sites at Poor Farm Area of the National Forest off of Poor Farm Road. It is free and also first come, first served.
Douthat State Park: about an hour away
Blowing Springs Campground in the National Forest is Closed for the season.
Nearby Accommodations:
In Warm Springs:
The Inn at Warm Springs
The Roseloe Motel
The Inn at Gristmill Square
RSVP today!

Protest at Virginia Dominion Energy
2018-10-17 11:30 - 12:30 | Dominion Virginia Energy (Charlottesville headquarters), 1719 Hydraulic Rd., Charlottesville, VA, 22901, United States
Wednesday, October 17, 2018, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Dominion Virginia Energy (Charlottesville headquarters), 1719 Hydraulic Rd., Charlottesville 22901, protest against the ACP. Bring your signs and wear your t-shirts to protest the ACP at Dominion’s Charlottesville headquarters. Sponsored by Friends of Nelson.

Circle of Protection at Spruce Creek Camp
2018-10-13 17:00 - 18:00
The Spruce Creek Circle of Protection will be an Interfaith Prayer Vigil with story and song designed to inspire and affirm the need for communities to protect their safety, water, and land values from the threat of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. With music from Wild Common powered by the Sun Bus, personal story by Spruce Creek landowner Richard Averitt, prayers by Pastor Louie Andrews and Asha Greer, poem by @Amelia Williams, 1000 Flags 1000 Waters and more.
Those who wish to attend the Circle of Protection must pre register for camp even if they do not intend to stay over, and those who come to the Circle of Protection without a stay over should bring their own food for a potluck dinner to follow the vigil.
Register here. Directions provided upon registration.

No Pipelines: Vigil for Archers Mill Grove
2018-10-06 15:00 - 18:00 | Archers Mill Grove, 2981 Archer's Mill Rd, Suffolk, VA, 23434, United States
What: No Pipelines: Vigil for Archers Mill Grove
Where: 2981 Archer’s Mill Rd, Suffolk, VA 23434, United States
When: Saturday, October 6, 3:00 – 6:00pm
RSVP: Click HERE To RSVP on Facebook, and invite all your friends! If you’re not on Facebook, RSVP to climatealert@chesapeakeclimate.org

The Atlantic Coast Pipeline is slated to cut through a beautiful land called Archers Mill Grove, a promising young sanctuary just outside of Suffolk. Virginia landowner Paulette Johnson has spent years nourishing this land from dry grass in 2007 to a beautiful, biodiverse forest with an abundance of plant and animal life. And now, large swaths of it could be destroyed by a pipeline we don’t need.
Join us on Saturday, October 6 for a vigil and tour of the nature sanctuary threatened by the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. Take part in a moment of solidarity and learn how to help Paulette fight back.
Paulette and her husband Clay are a retired Navy family who have chosen to settle down and remain in Virginia — mostly because of the trees. Paulette, originally from North Dakota, chose Virginia as her home because she fell in love with trees, so much so that she planted 3,500 of them beside her house!
Seven years later, she faces condemnation of her land in order to construct the Atlantic Coast Pipeline straight through the middle of Archers Grove, clearing eight to ten rows of trees and putting Paulette’s house in the incineration zone of the pipeline. This would be done in the name of supposed “public good.”
But where is the good in a dangerous, monstrous fracked-gas pipeline that would threaten the drinking water of millions of Virginians and could result in explosions just steps from Paulette’s home? When does a “public use” become eminent domain abuse?
But Paulette is not giving up. She has not accepted the easements for her property and is currently appealing her case to have a trial by jury.
Now, it is critical that she receives statewide support so that all of our pipeline opponents know that we are all sticking together! Join us at Archers Mill Grove on Saturday, October 6 at 3:00pm.
The public is invited to come and walk the path through the grove during this time and attend the vigil. The vigil will be held at 4:00 pm and there will be a special guest speaker.
With the continuous support of people like you, brave landowners like the Johnsons — and Bill and Lynn Limpert, who held a protest camp on their property in Miracle Ridge — are empowered to keep fighting against the injustices wrought down by big utility corporations.

Augusta Board of Zoning Appeals Hearing on Proposed ACP Pipe Yard
2018-10-04 13:30 - 16:00 | Augusta County Government Center, 18 Government Center Lane, Verona, VA, United States
On Thursday October 4, 2018, the Augusta Board of Zoning Appeals will consider Dominion’s request for a pipe yard in West Augusta. This request was continued from the September meeting.

Protest at Virginia Dominion Energy
2018-10-03 11:30 - 12:30 | Dominion Virginia Energy (Charlottesville headquarters), 1719 Hydraulic Rd., Charlottesville, VA, 22901, United States
Wednesday, October 3, 2018, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Dominion Virginia Energy (Charlottesville headquarters), 1719 Hydraulic Rd., Charlottesville 22901, protest against the ACP. Bring your signs and wear your t-shirts to protest the ACP at Dominion’s Charlottesville headquarters. Sponsored by Friends of Nelson.

Friends of Nelson Public Meeting
2018-09-30 18:30 - 21:00 | Rockfish Valley Community Center, 190 Rockfish School Lane, Afton, VA, 22920, United States
The Friends of Nelson public meeting, originally scheduled for September 16, 2018, will be held September 30, happily with the same two dynamic guest speakers! Join us from 6:30 to 9 pm at Rockfish Valley Community Center to hear our speakers, with time for questions and answers.
Guest Speakers:
Rick Cornelius – Rick has been practicing environmental law for over 45 years, and has worked with Friends of Nelson and the Southern Environmental Law Center on the pipeline issues since he first heard about them 4 years ago. Rick will give us overviews and updates on key cases before the courts.
Ivy Main – Ivy works with the Sierra Club and is a columnist with Power to the People. She’ll give a brief overview of the Virginia Energy Plan and updates on Virginia’s energy future, and give suggestions about actions we can take to push toward a carbon-free electric energy system for Virginia.

The Defenders - Dedication
2018-09-30 15:00 - 16:30 | Rockfish Valley Foundation, 1368 Rockfish Valley Highway, Nellysford, VA, 22958, United States
September 30th, 2018, 3:00-4:30 pm, Rockfish Valley Foundation, 1368 Rockfish Valley Hwy, Nellysford, VA 22958 – The Defenders dedication. The Defenders is the 8-foot tall 8-foot wide anti-pipeline sculpture created by Mark Schwenk and Cheryl Langlais of Berkeley Springs West Virginia.
Members of the public are cordially invited to the dedication of The Defenders sculpture being installed in Nelson County along Rt 151 next to the Rockfish Valley Foundation Natural History Center at 1368 Rockfish Valley Highway in Nellysford. This is the first of a series of 5 installations sites with public events along the proposed pipeline paths. The Installation Celebration will begin at 3:00 pm and last until 4:30 pm on Sunday September 30. Take your selfie with THE DEFENDERS and post on your face book page! And hashtag #TheDefenders!
The sponsors and several local dignitaries will also make remarks. Bring your children and enjoy Spruce Creek Park and its children’s nature trail along with the Natural History Center exhibits. Light refreshments.
Event sponsored by Climate Action Alliance of the Valley, Friends of Nelson, and Rockfish Valley Foundation.

Rally Against Pipelines
2018-09-26 17:30 - 20:30 | Dominion Virginia Energy (Charlottesville headquarters), 1719 Hydraulic Rd., Charlottesville, VA, 22901, United States
September 26, 2018, 5:30-8:30m at Dominion Energy’s Charlottesville headquarterson Hydraulic Rd, sponsored by Charlottesville’s Democratic Socialists of America.
We stand in solidarity with Red, Minor, Nutty, Lauren, Nettle, and all those who oppose the pipeline projects in West Virginia, Virginia, and North Carolina, specifically the Atlantic Coast and Mountain Valley Pipelines.
Fracked gas pipeline projects are one of the purest forms of capitalist exploitation. For short-term financial gains, energy companies will poison streams, mar the land, and decimate our local communities, particularly communities of color and low-income neighborhoods. Dominion Energy and Duke Energy – and the politicians, courts, and police who enable them – have no interest in the well-being of our communities. They will use every tool available to push the pipelines through, and to break those who dare oppose.
We recognize, too, that this struggle is a component of a larger effort to protect life-giving water from industrial pollution. We see in these pipelines echoes of the Dakota Access Pipeline and America’s long history of environmental racism, and recognize the Native American water protectors on the front lines of that struggle. We stand in solidarity with the people of Union Hill against Dominion’s racist decision to build a hazardous compressor station for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline in the historic Black community of Union Hill in Buckingham County. The need for clean water touches all of us from Standing Rock to Flint, and it is a right we must defend.
We demand that Governor Ralph Northam immediately direct Virginia’s Department of Environmental Quality to conduct a full stream-by-stream analysis of the environmental impact of the Atlantic Coast and Mountain Valley pipelines as a first step towards using Governor Northam’s existing authority under the Clean Water Act to immediately stop all pipeline construction.
The resistance now offered against the pipelines is but the continuance of the unending struggle against the hateful domination of corporate greed. We demand environmental justice in every sense: justice for the land on which we live, and justice for the communities in the path of destruction. Therefore we stand in solidarity with all pipeline resisters, and call on all people who know the weight of capitalism to join their voices to the cause. We can achieve a better world than the one Dominion and Duke present to us. We will reach it, with or without them.

Documentary: We The People 2.0
2018-09-23 15:00 - 18:00 | Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Waynesboro, 565 Pine Ave., Waynesboro, VA, 22980, United States
Co-sponsored by Friends of Augusta, Friends of Buckingham, Friends of Nelson, LIAM, and SAW CAN. We the People, this documentary tells the story of of people across the U.S. who have faced decades of of environmental assaults – such as fracking and sludging of farmland – and what they are doing about it.
Sunday, September 23 at 3 PM – 6 PM
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Waynesboro
565 Pine Ave, Waynesboro, Virginia 22980

Hands Across the Appalachian Trail
2018-09-22 10:30 - 12:30 | Humback Rocks Visitor Center, Blue Ridge Parkway, milepost 5.8, VA, United States
Saturday, September 22 -10:30 am to 12:30 pm, Blue Ridge Parkway, Humpback Rocks Visitor Center, Milepost 5.8.
Join hands to protect our land, water, air, communities, and natural treasures from the threats posed by unnecessary, unwanted, and unnatural fracked gas pipelines at our Third annual Hands Across the Appalachian Trail!
The dedicated work of hundreds of volunteers, community groups and allies, and dedicated individuals has led to Stop Work Orders and further delays of the Mountain Valley and Atlantic Coast Pipelines. These pipelines propose to cross several nationally known and highly popular public recreational areas including the George Washington National Forest, the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Great Eastern Trail, and the iconic Appalachian Trail.
Hands Across the Appalachian Trail is our community response to protect valued natural parks and environment. This event will be an opportunity for people to come together and celebrate our treasured natural resources, celebrate victories won by the hard work of dedicated volunteers and legal advocates, and continue building fellowship and momentum around the continued effort to stand against unnatural gas fossil fuel projects and fight for a safe, sustainable future that all can enjoy!
Now in its third year this event features the Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s vision to “connect the human spirit with nature – preserving the delicate majesty of the Trail as a haven for all to enjoy.” Everyone should have the opportunity for that experience. Come enjoy food, music, and celebrate our natural resources.
This Hands Across the Appalachian Trail event will take place at the Humpback Rocks Visitors Center in Nelson County. Events will also be held at the Route 100 Trail Head intersection with the A.T. in Giles Countyand at the Bears Den Lodge in Loudon County.
For more information, directions, or answers to any questions, contact Kirk Bowers, Sierra Club Pipelines Campaign Coordinator, at kirk.bowers@sierraclub.org.
Directions: Take Interstate 64 to Exit 99 at the top of Afton Mountain. Follow signs on Route 250 to Blue Ridge Parkway. Turn right onto Blue Ridge Parkway. Travel 5.8 miles to Humpback Rocks Visitor Center and Picnic Area.

Protest at Virginia Dominion Energy
2018-09-19 11:30 - 12:30 | Dominion Virginia Energy (Charlottesville headquarters), 1719 Hydraulic Rd., Charlottesville, VA, 22901, United States
Wednesday, September 19, 2018, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Dominion Virginia Energy (Charlottesville headquarters), 1719 Hydraulic Rd., Charlottesville 22901, protest against the ACP. Bring your signs and wear your t-shirts to protest the ACP at Dominion’s Charlottesville headquarters. Sponsored by Friends of Nelson.

POSTPONED - Friends of Nelson Public Meeting
2018-09-16 18:00 - 21:00 | Rockfish Valley Community Center, 190 Rockfish School Lane, Afton, VA, 22920, United States
The Friends of Nelson public meeting, scheduled for 6=9 pm at Rockfish Valley Community Center, have been postponed because of potential bad weather.
Once we have finalized dates with our speakers and our venue, we will send out information on a new date for the public meeting. Our dynamic guest speakers Rick Cornelius and Ivy Main will be at the new meeting, once the new date is figured out!
Stay safe and we’ll see you soon!
Friends of Nelson will hold a public meeting at Rockfish Valley Community Center on Sunday evening September 16, 2018; doors open at 6, meeting begins at 6:30.
Speakers (with time built in for questions and answers):

Rick Cornelius – Rick has been practicing environmental law for over 45 years, and has worked with Friends of Nelson and the Southern Environmental Law Center on the pipeline issues since he first heard about them 4 years ago. Rick will give us overviews and updates on key cases before the courts.
Ivy Main – Ivy works with the Sierra Club and is a columnist with Power to the People. She’ll give a brief overview of the Virginia Energy Plan and updates on Virginia’s energy future, and give suggestions about actions we can take to push toward a carbon-free electric energy system for Virginia.

Circle of Protection
2018-09-16 13:30 - 15:30 | Union Hill Baptist Church, 1496 Union Hill Road (Rt. 663), Buckingham, VA, 23921, United States
On Sunday afternoon September 16, 2018, rain or shine, join the Circle of Protection, an interfaith prayer vigil, co-produced by Friends of Buckingham County, Virginia and Water is Life. Protect It, to protect Buckingham County (and all of us!) from the proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline and the proposed Union Hill ACP Compressor Station. Expect neighbors, story, poetry and song. Expect fun.
The 1:30-3:30 vigils are open air (inside if rain) on the grounds of Union Hill Baptist Church, 1496 Union Hill Road (State Route 663), Buckingham, VA 23921. Indoor pot luck and speaker following in the church basement. The Circle of Protection is a collaboration of Friends of Buckingham, Union Hill/Grove Baptist Church, Yogaville, VSEC and Water is life. Protect it.
Print out directions for the event before setting forth as reception can be vague to nonexistent in certain parts of the county.

POSTPONED - The Defenders - Installation and Unveiling
2018-09-16 13:30 - 15:00 | Rockfish Valley Foundation, 1368 Rockfish Valley Highway, Nellysford, VA, 22958, United States
The installation and unveiling of the Defenders sculpture, scheduled for 1:30-3:00 at Rockfish Valley Foundation, has been postponed because of potential bad weather.
Stay tuned for the new date – and stay safe!
September 16th, 2018,
1:30 – 3:00 pm, Rockfish Valley Foundation, 1368 Rockfish Valley Hwy, Nellysford, VA 22958 – The Defenders – installation and unveiling. The Defenders is the 8-foot tall 8-foot wide anti-pipeline sculpture created by Mark Schwenk and Cheryl Langlais of Berkeley Springs West Virginia.
Members of the public are cordially invited to the unveiling of The Defenders sculpture being installed in Nelson County along Rt 151 next to the Rockfish Valley Foundation Natural History Center at 1368 Rockfish Valley Highway in Nellysford. This is the first of a series of 5 installations sites with public events along the proposed pipeline paths. The Installation Celebration will begin at 1:30 pm and last until 3:00 pm on Sunday September 16. Take your selfie with THE DEFENDERS and post on your face book page!
Mark and Cheryl have donated all their time and will be present to discuss their work. The sponsors and several local dignitaries will also make remarks. Bring your children and enjoy Spruce Creek Park and its children’s nature trail along with the Natural History Center exhibits. Light refreshments.
Event sponsored by Climate Action Alliance of the Valley, Friends of Nelson, and Rockfish Valley Foundation.

Public Hearing: Air Quality Permit for Compressor Station
2018-09-11 17:00 - 21:30 | Buckingham Middle School, 1184 High School Road, Buckingham, VA, 23921, United States
There will be a public hearing on the air quality permit for the Buckingham compressor station on Tuesday, September 11, 2018, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. or until all comments are received, whichever is earlier. The hearing will be at Buckingham County Middle School, 1184 High School Road in Buckingham. It is important to come as early as possible to sign up to speak. Gathering to pray and sing will be at 4 pm.

Augusta Board Of Zoning Appeals - Dominion Request for Special Use Permit
2018-09-06 13:30 - 17:00 | Augusta County Government Center, 18 Government Center Lane, Verona, VA, United States
Thursday, September 6, 2018: Deny Special Use Permit/Zoning Variance for ACP in Augusta County. 1:30 pm, Augusta County Government Center, 18 Government Center Lane, Verona, VA 24482. Turn out to make your voice heard!
Dominion has once again decided it wants to play by its own rules instead of those put in place by the citizens of Augusta County. On Thursday, Sept. 6 at 1:30 p.m., the Augusta County Board of Zoning Appeals will hear another Special Use Permit request by Dominion and the Atlantic Coast Pipeline to put a pipe yard in an inappropriate place in our county. The meeting is at the Augusta County Government Center in Verona.
Yes, that’s right – huge gravel parking lots, 40-ft. light poles, 250 workers’ vehicles and busloads of workers coming and going every day, heavy equipment, portable toilets, piles and piles of pipe and other materials, fuel storage, noise, industrial activities such as pipe fabrication, single, double, and triple-wide trailers, and 26 van trailers and large metal boxes for storage! All in the most rural part of western Augusta County –a place right now that hosts a cornfield.
“Where is it this time?” you ask. Just off Rt. 250 in West Augusta at 717 West Augusta Road. And, in addition to the 55-acre contractor yard with its three construction entrances, this time Dominion also wants food trucks, presumably for its hundreds of workers.
We could go on about the traffic issues and illogical traffic counts associated with this proposal, about the more than 150 students who will mix with that heavy construction traffic twice a day, and about water issues and erosion and sediment control problems. If you are also worried about this, we are asking that you do one or both of the following:
Mark your calendars and plan to attend the BZA hearing on Thursday, Sept. 6 at 1:30 p.m. at the Augusta County Government Center in Verona. Plan to speak for 3 minutes or come to hear and support those who will be speaking and asking the BZA members to do the right thing and stand up for the county’s citizens and rules.
Take a few minutes in the next few days to review the application in order to understand the magnitude of Dominion’s proposal and send an email message to BZA members through county staff John Wilkinson (jwilkinson@co.augusta.va.us) and Sandy Bunch (sbunch@co.augusta.va.us). You might thank them for having supported the community earlier this year and ask them to again listen to the people of the county.
Remember that there is no harm in sending an email AND attending the meeting. We will be in touch again. Augusta County is a special place. Let’s keep it that way.
Sincerely,
Nancy Sorrells
Co-Chair Augusta County Alliance
info@augustacountyalliance.org

Protest at Virginia Dominion Energy
2018-09-05 11:30 - 12:30 | Dominion Virginia Energy (Charlottesville headquarters), 1719 Hydraulic Rd., Charlottesville, VA, 22901, United States
Wednesday, September 5, 2018, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Dominion Virginia Energy (Charlottesville headquarters), 1719 Hydraulic Rd., Charlottesville 22901, protest against the ACP. Bring your signs and wear your t-shirts to protest the ACP at Dominion’s Charlottesville headquarters. Sponsored by Friends of Nelson.

Air Permit Comment Writing Party - Union Hill
2018-09-04 17:30 - 20:00 | Union Hill Baptist Church, 1496 Union Hill Road (Rt. 663), Buckingham, VA, 23921, United States
Come join friends and neighbors for help in writing your personalized comments to DEQ about the air permit for the proposed Buckingham compressor station. The comment period ends Tuesday, September 11, 2018, with the public hearing which will be at the Buckingham Middle School.
Friends of Buckingham will host an additional comment writing party on Tuesday, September 4, 2018, at 5:30 pm at Union Hill Baptist Church, 1496 Union Hill Road, Buckingham 23921, RRT 663. We will commence with a mostly catered dinner, [including chocolate cake], to feed our bodies and fire up our muses!

CSI Training - Lovingston
2018-08-30 18:00 - 21:00 | Nelson Center, 8445 Thomas Nelson Highway, Lovingston, VA, 22949, United States
CSI training for the general public, Thursday August 30, 2018, at the Nelson Center, 6-9 pm. As members of the Allegheny-Blue Ridge Alliance, Friends of Nelson and our sister groups are standing up to protect our region’s rights to clean water and the rule of environmental law. State and federal regulators are unwilling or unable to police these proposed unnecessary pipeline projects in earnest, so don’t miss your chance to come learn how to protect our region from harm by volunteering with the Pipeline Compliance Surveillance Initiative (CSI)!

Come and learn how to protect our region from harm with the Pipeline CSI!
EVERYONE is invited to join us and get educated on how to blow the whistle on ACP construction activity if construction indeed begins in Virginia.
We’ll be speaking with folks about the overview of the CSI and then diving in to specific presentations by Kirk Bowers and Malcolm Cameron, on erosion and sedimentation controls measures and water body crossing construction methods, respectively. You’ll walk away knowing what to look for and report on, if construction does reach us.

Air Permit Comment Writing Party - Yogaville
2018-08-29 13:30 - 19:30 | Yogaville Library, 108 Yogaville Way, Buckingham, VA, 23921, United States
Come join friends and neighbors for help in writing your personalized comments to DEQ about the air permit for the proposed Buckingham compressor station. The comment period ends Tuesday, September 11, 2018, with the public hearing which will be at the Buckingham Middle School.
Yogaville will host the comment parties on Wednesday August 29, 2018, at 1:30 pm after lunch and again at 7:30 pm after dinner. Yummmmy chocolate cake will be your sweet reward.

Circle of Protection
2018-08-26 13:00 - 15:00 | Union Hill Baptist Church, 1496 Union Hill Road (Rt. 663), Buckingham, VA, 23921, United States
Join us on Sunday afternoon August 26, rain or shine, for the Circle of Protection, an interfaith prayer vigil, co-produced by Friends of Buckingham County, Virginia and Water is Life. Protect It, to protect Buckingham County (and all of us!) from the proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline and the proposed Union Hill ACP Compressor Station.
The vigils are open air on the grounds of Union Hill Baptist Church, 1496 Union Hill Road (State Route 663), Buckingham, VA 23921. Indoor pot luck and speaker following in the church basement. The Circle of Protection is a collaboration of Friends of Buckingham, Union Hill/Grove Baptist Church, Yogaville, VSEC and Water is life. Protect it.
Details/directions for the event Circle of Protection. (We advise printing out directions for the event before setting forth as reception can be vague to nonexistent in certain parts of the county.)

State Water Control Board Meeting
2018-08-21 09:30 - 13:30 | Pocahontas Building, First Floor House Committee Room, 900 East Main Street, Richmond, VA, 23219, United States
The Virginia State Water Control Board’s (SWCB) next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 21, beginning at 9:30 am, at the Pocahontas Building, First Floor House Committee Room, 900 East Main Street, Richmond, VA 23219. The tentative meeting agenda includes the following items at the end of the meeting:

VII. Mountain Valley Pipeline/Atlantic Coast Pipeline Reports Nationwide Permit 12 Comment Period Update in Response to April 12 Requests from Board
VIII. Other Business Future Meetings (September 20 and December 13)
IX. Public Forum
ADJOURN

A summary of the more than 13,000 comments filed with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality on the adequacy of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Nationwide Permit 12 for the ACP supposedly is being prepared by DEQ for the SWCB’s review and supposedly is to be made available to the public. At this writing, the summary is not yet available, although Wild Virginia and Dominion Pipeline Monitoring Coalition posted a summary on August 15, 2018. DPMA and Wild Virginia also posted the full set of comments on July 20, 2018, and the full set is finally available on the DEQ Web page. It is also not known what action, if any, will be taken by the SWCB in response to the comments that were submitted.
