Direct Pipeline Project Information and Meeting Wednesday

Submitted by Connecticut Forest and Park Association

Expanding the natural gas pipeline through MDC land could put your drinking water quality and the New England Trail at risk.  Learn more on Wednesday, October 7th.

The Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, LLC (TGP) has proposed a natural gas pipeline project cutting across Connecticut and has an application before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

A "community presentation" will be held on Wednesday, October 7th from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at West Hartford Town Hall (50 South Main Street, West Hartford) on the Northeast Energy Direct pipeline project at the request of the Metropolitan District Commission (MDC) - drinking water and sewer manager for the Greater Hartford region.  The MDC has publicly expressed serious concerns that the widening of the pipeline on MDC reservoir lands could potentially impact drinking water quality for the approximately 400,000 people in the Greater Hartford region who depend upon it.

In addition to drinking water quality concerns, CFPA has written to FERC to note that several segments of the New England Trail National Scenic Trail (NET) on MDC property and beyond would likely be shut down during the construction phase of this massive project.  The New England Trail (NET) is one of only 11 national scenic trails in the U.S. and is maintained by CFPA and its volunteers in Connecticut, and we are always working to keep the NET connected and open for all to enjoy.

This map shows the intersections between the pipeline and the New England Trail. [Please contact CFPA for map]

I hope to see you in West Hartford on the 7th; I'll probably be wearing my green CFPA shirt with a blue oval on it.

All the best,

Eric Hammerling, Executive Director
Connecticut Forest & Park Association
www.ctwoodlands.org

P.S. If you are a resident of Bloomfield, Farmington, Hartford, West Hartford, or surrounding towns, and are concerned about the project and/or want to learn more, this community presentation may be your best opportunity to both listen and, if the spirit moves you, lend your voice to the debate. A big turnout sends a strong message to TGP and FERC that they have to consider potential impacts on both drinking water and recreation on MDC lands.

P.P.S. If you want to learn more, visit the webpage put together by our friends at Rivers Alliance of CT.

Connecticut Forest & Park Association
16 Meriden Road
Rockfall, CT 06481
860/346-2372
www.ctwoodlands.org