On May 6, 2015, the DEC published a notice in the Oneonta Daily Star that said the deadline for comments regarding permits for the “Constitution” pipeline would be 15 days from the date of that publication – meaning May 21st. Pressed by the STP Steering Committee, the DEC sent a confirmation by email that the deadline for submitting comments to the DEC is now May 21, not May 14.
The New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has reopened the public comment period regarding the “Constitution” pipeline company’s application for the crucial 401 Water Quality Certificate.
In order to protect New York water from this massive fracked-gas pipeline, we need to inundate the DEC with comments—particularly, with requests for a longer comment period.
Suggested Comment
Re: permits for the Constitution Pipeline, 0-9999-00181/00024
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) should share all new information with the public regarding the proposed “Constitution” pipeline, and reopen the comment period once the joint application is complete.
- On April 29, 2015, the DEC announced a new fifteen-day public comment period (which will end on May 21, 2015), stating the Constitution Pipeline Company (Company) had withdrawn and resubmitted the same application for the 401 water quality certificate. No new information was provided to the public.
- However, the Company has been conducting surveys since the application was last updated, in August 2014, and has been sharing information with the DEC. In addition, the Company recently gained access to over one hundred parcels of land, and is now gathering even more information about the streams, wetlands and species on those parcels.
- All of this new information should be included in a revised or supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), and integrated into a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS), but so far that has not occurred.
- The People of New York State are entitled to have access to all information being exchanged between the Company and the DEC. How can we make meaningful comments on an application if vital information is not shared with the public?
- I ask the DEC to ensure there is a complete DEIS and FEIS, and an updated application, with all of the information needed to make findings under SEQR (State Environmental Quality Review Act).
- I also ask the DEC to reopen the public comment period for an additional sixty days once it has obtained all of the required information from the Company and shared it with the public.
Last request: SHARE this email with everyone you know. Together, we will stop this pipeline AND the spread of fracked-gas infrastructure in New York State.
