In recent years, grassroots pipeline monitoring initiatives have been crucial in delaying the radical expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure projects around the United States.[1]

    Now you can become part of this movement too.

    In Virginia, advocacy groups, nonprofit organizations, communities of faith and everyday citizens are coming together to ensure that the strict application of environmental laws and regulations are upheld at every phase of construction and operation of both the Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP) and the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP).

    CLICK HERE to sign up to volunteer as a citizen monitor for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. Contact harrison@chesapeakeclimate.org if you’re interested in becoming a citizen monitor for the Mountain Valley Pipeline. And read on to learn the key ways that YOU can get involved:

    1) Citizen Observation

    • Work independently or with other organizations to observe and report incidents of both downstream surface water impact and noncompliance with construction requirements.
    • May be organized by coordinators affiliated with local or other regional organizations.
    • Access for viewing pipeline construction areas will ordinarily be limited to public roads or other public vantage points.

    2) Volunteer Stream Monitoring

    • Monitoring programs sponsored by TU, IWLA, and local watershed groups
    • Coordination, training, and data management provided by sponsoring groups

    3) Research/Administration

    • Volunteers with various backgrounds assist with tracking, posting, and summarizing project-related documents (for example, plan modifications and agency inspection reports)
    • Coordination and guidance provided by sponsoring groups

    4) Incident Review

    • Volunteers with professional backgrounds in water resources and construction-related environmental management participate in incident review
    • Guidance provided digitally and in training sessions
    • Coordination by designated sponsoring groups

    5) Expert Stream and Construction-Site Investigation

    • Volunteers with professional backgrounds in water resources and construction-related environmental management lead incident responder teams
    • Team leaders receive training in data collection and reporting protocols and construction-practice requirements
    • Coordination by sponsoring groups

    6) Aerial Investigation

    • Experienced pilots, drone operators, and photographers conduct routine surveillance, make observations, and collect imagery as incident responders
    • Participants receive training in CSI program methods and information needs
    • Coordination by sponsoring groups

    Please CLICK HERE to sign up to volunteer as a citizen monitor as part of ABRA’s Construction Surveillance Initiative (CSI) for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline.

    Please CLICK HERE  to sign up as a volunteer citizen monitor for the Mountain Valley Pipeline with CCAN’s Virginia Field Coordinator Jamshid Bakhtiari. And CLICK HERE to sign up for POWHR’s “Neighborhood Watch” program!

    Resources:

    ABRA ACP Hotline: 1-877-Go2ABRA (1-877-462-2272)

    1) “DEP suspends all construction on Mariner East 2 pipeline,” StateImpact NPR, January 3, 2018