Above: All photos by Anne Meador of DC Media Group.
The Potomac River Pipeline creates serious environmental risks to the Potomac River and the millions of people downstream who depend on the Potomac for water. Communities in the area of have been protesting the pipeline and escalated with a Kayacktivist action on August 11, 2017.
The Potomac River Keeper summarizes the history of the pipline and dangers of the pipeline that are increased because of the geology of the area, writing:
In 2016, behind the scenes, without public input, a West Virginia gas company called Mountaineer Gas quietly laid the groundwork for a fracked gas pipeline that would threaten the Potomac River and the National Park Service’s C&O Canal, one of the most visited national parks. Residents in Morgan County, WV became aware of the pipeline proposal only after landmen requested access to properties for routing of the pipeline. Mountaineer Gas began bullying residents with ultimatums and eminent domain after receiving conditional approval from the WV Public Service Commission to route their gas line. The route proposed would cross five streams, all of which is in Karst geology. Karst geology is limestone that can rapidly dissolve and form pathways between the surface and groundwater, including streams. Pipelines do leak and in Karst geology pose a risk to private wells, cause stream contamination and stream flow loss, and develop sinkholes that can threaten the integrity of the pipeline.
Reporter and photographer for the DC Media Group, Anne Meador, introduces her photo essay on the Kayactivist protest writing on the group’s Facebook page:
“Kayaktivists” Call On Gov. Hogan To Reject TransCanada Fracked-Gas Pipeline in Protest on the Potomac River Activists paddled down the Potomac with large protest banners, drawing attention to the treasured river under which a proposed pipeline may be constructed. The group called on Governor Larry Hogan to complete the statewide fracking ban by stopping fracked-gas infrastructure and ultimately reject the project.
