Ten Days Until Tree-Felling Deadline for Proposed Constitution Pipeline/40 Days and Nights to Require Governor Cuomo to Deny the Section 401 Water Quality Certification Required for the Constitution Pipeline

Please keep pushing the Governor to kill the proposed Constitution Pipeline: Personalized Form Letter Which Requests That Governor Cuomo Deny All Section 401 Water Quality Certification Applications for Proposed Fossil Fuel Pipelines in New York.

Greetings,

Fractivists wrote Governor Cuomo another 50 or so pithy letters over the week-end that my colleagues forwarded verbatim via the Governor's cumbersome web form.

See amazing excerpts below and at: 3-21-16 More Pipeline and Fracking letters to Governor Cuomo

I write today because we now have exactly ten days until the March 31, 2016 tree-felling deadline for the proposed Constitution Pipeline. If Constitution Pipeline Co., LLC does not receive a Section 401 Water Quality Certification by that deadline, the firm cannot cut trees along its proposed 100-mile route in New York until at least November 1, 2016 even if a Section 401 Water Quality Certification required for the project to be built is later granted. Perish the thought.

Our Strategy

Over the last three months we have worked with laser-focus to kill the proposed Constitution Pipeline by requiring Governor Cuomo to DENY the Section 401 Water Quality Certification required for the project to be constructed.

I want to spell out our strategy in detail so that Fractivists will appreciate that our backs are against the wall in this fight. It is now or never, do or die.

The proposed Constitution Pipeline was granted conditional approval by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on 12/2/2014 when a wide array of environmental concerns were dismissed. FERC is the entity that regulates interstate transmission of natural gas.

The Constitution Pipeline, however, has not yet been built because FERC determined that:

"Construction and operation-related impacts on waterbodies and wetlands will be further mitigated by Constitution’s compliance with the conditions of the COE [United States Army Corps of Engineers, not in the original] Section 404 and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) Section 401 permits required under the Clean Water Act (including compensatory mitigation) and by implementing the wetland protection and restoration measures contained in Constitution’s ECPs [Environmental Construction Plans, not in the original], including its Wetland and Waterbody Construction and Mitigation Procedures (Procedures)."

Fortunately, "The COE [Corps of Engineers, not in the original] informed Constitution that a decision on its permit likely could not be made until compliance with other applicable federal laws is completed and Constitution has received its Section 401 certificate from the NYSDEC (emphasis added)."

Since New York State has not yet granted the Section 401 Water Quality Certification for the Constitution Pipeline, the Army Corps of Engineers has not issued the Section 404 Dredge Spoil permit required for the proposed project to proceed to construction. This is the regulatory matter that is holding up the groundbreaking.

Governor Cuomo is the Key Decision Maker

Governor Cuomo essentially has sole authority to DENY the Section 401 WQC until on or about April 29, 2016. That is approximately the one-year anniversary since the Section 401 WQC and other applications were completed by Constitution Pipeline Co., LLC.

Our goal is to require the Governor to DENY the Section 401 WQC because massive pipeline explosions, fires, ruptures and toxic discharges are documented by the DEC's own data all over New York and reportedly caused water quality violations that often were never cleaned up to state standards for many years.

Our data analysis totally refutes FERC's conclusion regarding the Constitution Pipeline that, "impacts on waterbody and wetland resources will be effectively minimized or mitigated to the extent practicable."

If the Section 401 WQC is denied, the Constitution Pipeline would be killed.

If Governor Cuomo does not DENY the Section 401 WQC by the one-year deadline, he would lose the privilege of rendering a decision in the matter. As a result, FERC almost certainly would grant it.

Take Action Today

Against that background, we have about 40 days and nights to require Governor Cuomo to Kill the Proposed Constitution Pipeline. This will require super heavy lifting.

Keep calling Governor Cuomo at 518 474 8390 during office hours to request that he: a) PREVENT ANY TREE FELLING in New York for the proposed Constitution Pipeline, b) DENY the Section 401 Water Quality Certification required for its construction and c) Reactivate gov.cuomo@chamber.state.ny.us to allow concerned citizens to email him directly.

Exercise your democratic rights. Write Governor Cuomo: Personalized Form Letter Which Requests That Governor Cuomo Deny All Section 401 Water Quality Certification Applications for Proposed Fossil Fuel Pipelines in New York.

Read below what your fellow Fractivists have written to Governor Cuomo. Add your voice to the din of participatory democracy. Exercise your citizen rights or you might not have them.

3-21-16 More Pipeline and Fracking letters to Governor Cuomo

Latest Compilation of Section 401 Constitution Pipeline and Gelled Propane Letters Sent to Governor Cuomo

Still More Cuomo-Constitution Pipeline letters - 3-7-16

More incredibly eloquent and powerful letters which request that Governor Cuomo DENY the Section 401 Water Quality Certification for the Proposed Constitution Pipeline

Incredible Fractivist Letters From Coast to Coast Request that Governor Cuomo Deny the Section 401 Water Quality Certification for the Proposed Constitution Pipeline

Do Not Stop Until You Drop. Go Hard. Give it everything you have got.

Very gratefully yours,

Walter

Please deny 401 C Water Quality Certificate

Dear Governor Cuomo:

My name is D M. My family has had a home for six generations in the town of Sanford. It has been very disturbing to be threatened by the gas industry and the situation has affected our lives in countless ways. We pray that you can put all of this to rest. We all know that fossil fuels have been our undoing, causing irrevocable environmental damage as well as human misery. In my visits to gas fields in the west, I have seen nothing but depressing landscapes, homes in disrepair or abandoned and economically devastated communities. Is this what we want for New York? Is this what we want to facilitate in neighboring states by allowing pipelines to cross our lands, taking property by eminent domain?

With those concerns in mind, I request that you deny all pending applications for Water Quality Certification for the proposed Constitution Pipeline and all other natural gas, crude oil and petroleum product infrastructure projects in New York due to the state's well-documented inability to fulfill the requirements of Section 401 of the U. S. Clean Water Act.

Petroleum Products

Dear Governor Cuomo:

My name is T C and I live at ____Ave., Auburn, NY 13021.

I write today because living in Auburn gives me a first hand experience on how the oil and gas industry can jeopardize the water quality. You may remember Auburn was one of the only cities whose publicly owned sewage treatment plant was taking in natural gas drilling wastewater. In the February 26th, 2011 New York Times article Regulation Lax as Gas Wells’ Tainted Water Hits Rivers written by Ian Urbina my hometown was cited as a site that releases “treated” natural gas drilling wastewater into the Owasco Outlet. This raised several red flags especially when set against the current New York State moratorium on horizontal drilling in the Marcellus shale. Immediately a small group of concerned citizens organized as Cayuga Anti-Fracking Alliance (CAFA) to respond to this environmental threat. CAFA informed the public, petitioned the council with 1300 signatories, and in a series of large rallies in protested of taking in this wastewater into the treatment plant. A ban was eventually enacted in 2011. In 2014, a report by an independent consulting firm GHD confirmed what CAFA had known all along - that Auburn's wastewater treatment plant could not properly treat the natural gas drilling wastewater. Therefore the untreated wastewater had been released into the Owasco River and subsequent waterways for the duration that Auburn was accepting this wastewater.

Dangerous Pipelines

Dear Governor Cuomo:

My name is T S and I live at ____Road, High Falls, NY.

I am a concerned citizen who feels compelled to write to you because of the grave threat fracked gas and oil pipelines pose to our health and the health of the environment. We simply cannot afford the risk to our water from leaks, risk of damage from erratic weather patterns and all other potential problems that pipelines cause. We owe it to our children and future generations to leave them with a pristine state. As Governor, you have the power to make the decision to do the right thing for New Yorkers. Please turn your back on corporate interests that are not in line with the clean energy vision that you have embraced. There are simply no good reasons to allow pipelines through our beautiful state and there are so many reasons to deny the fossil fuel industry permission to transport oil and gas through our state.

Because of the many dangers to our water, the environment and our health that are associated with permitting pipelines, I strongly request that you deny all pending applications for Water Quality Certification for the proposed Constitution Pipeline and all other natural gas, crude oil and petroleum product infrastructure projects in New York due to the state's well-documented inability to fulfill the requirements of Section 401 of the U. S. Clean Water Act.

Constitution Pipeline

Dear Governor Cuomo:

My name is M F and I live at ___ Conklin Rd. in Conklin NY.
I write today because, as an environmentalist and a member or the Sierra Club I am worried about possibly negative effects of the Constitution pipeline. During construction, land will be taken from landowners along the route who don't want a possibly dangerous pipeline running through their property. Trees will be clear cut, creeks polluted, farmland destroyed, wildlife displaced and the general alteration of the environment. Safety not guranateed as shown in numerous pipeline and gas well leaks and explosions.

Constitution Pipeline

Dear Governor Cuomo:

My name is L B and I live at ____Road, Arkville, NY 12406.

I write today because I am very concerned about our environment and about global warming. Petroleum/gas pipelines are bad for both. Accidents such as methane discharges, ruptures, leaks, spills, fires and explosions pollute air, land and water as well as endangering humans and wildlife. In addition, the bulldozing and clearing of huge swathes of land for a pipeline will destroy wildlife habitat, farms and has the potential to contaminate streams and water supplies.

Governor Cuomo Please Deny All Section 401 Water Quality Certification Applications for Proposed Fossil Fuel Pipelines in New York

Dear Governor Cuomo:

My name is Mark C, and I live at ____Rd, Mt. Morris, NY 14510.

I write today because I have respected your courage in doing the right thing in resisting Fracking in NY State--knowing that it cost you your Presidential aspirations. I appreciate your efforts at gun control despite the massive lobbying by the pro-gun factions especially prevalent upsate. Today I write to you because the climate concerns and safety of many New Yorkers is at risk, and once again it is in your hands---the Power to Do the Right Thing.

Constitution Pipeline Applications for Water Quality Certification

Dear Governor Cuomo:

My name is R H and I live at ____Road, Slate Hill, NY 10973 .

I write today because I am more than concerned about the pending fracked gas infrastructure build out in New York State, I strongly oppose futher dependence on any fossil fuel, especially fracked gas brought into out state from Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia or elsewhere. I also oppose the importation of fracked gas waste products into landfills located in New York State. Instead, I respectfully urge you to continue your courageous initiatives to make our state not only a but "the" leader in the transition to a clean, renewable energy infrastructure.

Water pollution and other health concerns argue that NYS should deny all section 401 water quality certifications

Dear Governor Cuomo:

My name is David R and I live in Ithaca, NY.

I write today because just in the last couple of weeks lead has been found in the drinking water of the schools in Tompkins County. So we've come to realize how something we thought was benign -- the drinking water piping -- could actually be deadly. Similarly, the pipelines for natural gas -- methane -- are leaky and pose continuous chances to blow up, as 4 instances in three months in 2014 showed. But the Constitution pipeline's company isn't even willing to follow the DEC's requirement to drill underneath the 277 water courses the proposed route would cross -- they have stated that they'll just ditch their way through! Besides their blatant disregard for the DEC's attempt to protect the fish, the water wildlife, and those beings who depend on clean water (like us) from them polluting our waters, plus the actual pollution the construction of these new pipelines will cause, these new pipelines are dangerous, and comprise an out-of-date infrastructure that New York does not need!

Deny the Water Quality Certification for the Constitution Pipeline

Dear Governor Cuomo:

My name is S E and I live at ____Rd. Oxford, NY 13830.

I write today because of the high quality of water we have here in New York State. If the WQC is approved the quality of our water in NY will be jepordized with the disturbances of tree cutting, cutting through the natural filtration system of our forests causing silting in our streams, rivers, ponds and lakes that support our fisheries, and a diverse aquatic environment that keep our water so clean,

Natural gas and other fossil fuels need to be kept in the ground not only to protect our local environment but to reduce the effects of global warming.

The commitments made at Paris Climate talks can not be met if we continue with fossil fuels. We must move aggressively to implement renewable energy sources and it is your legacy, Governor Cuomo, to push for stronger legislation and follow through.

Saving New York

Dear Governor Cuomo:

My name is J D and I live at ____Road, Nunda, NY 14517.

I write today because I want New York to remain a beautiful and safe place for my grandchildren to grow and thrive in. I want my state to be a LEADER in dealing with Climate Change which means keeping fossil fuels in the ground.

Constitution Pipeline

Dear Governor Cuomo:

My name is Michael F and I live at ____Rd. in C, NY.

I write today because, as an environmentalist and a member or the Sierra Club I am worried about possibly negative effects of the Constitution pipeline. During construction, land will be taken from landowners along the route who don't want a possibly dangerous pipeline running through their property. Trees will be clear cut, creeks polluted, farmland destroyed, wildlife displaced and the general alteration of the environment. Safety not guranateed as shown in numerous pipeline and gas well leaks and explosions.

Fossil Fuels and Water Safety In NYS

Dear Governor Cuomo:

My name is Linda L and I live at Marietta, NY.

I write today because I don't want to see a pipeline to transport Fossil Fuels or any digging of Fossil Fuels in NYS.

Deny pending applications for natural gas, crude oil and petroleum product infrastructure projects in New York

Dear Governor Cuomo:

My name is E F and I live at ___E. 118 St., NYC.

I write today because I oppose natural gas, crude oil, and petroleum product infrastructure projects in New York. I request that you deny all pending applications for Water Quality Certification for the proposed Constitution Pipeline and all other natural gas, crude oil and petroleum product infrastructure projects in New York due to the state's well-documented inability to fulfill the requirements of Section 401 of the U. S. Clean Water Act.

Governor Cuomo Please Deny All Section 401 Water Quality Certification Applications for Proposed Fossil Fuel Pipelines in New York

Dear Governor Cuomo:

My name is M W and I live at ___E. ___ NY, NY 10028.

I write today because your leadership can make a difference and influence others to take similar actions for the health of our environment.

water certification for the constitution pipeline

Dear Governor Cuomo:

My name is G G and I live at ___ Forsyth Street, New York, NY.

I write today because I am extremely concerned about the water quality of New York, especially because we have seen recently how easy it can be for water quality to be destroyed. New York has had in the past some of the best water in the USA. the state should continue to lead in the preservation of water quality.

The environment

Dear Governor Cuomo:

My name is M G and I live in Niskayuna, NY.

I write today because _of concern for the Constitution Pipeline or anything similar which would be a paotentiial hazard to our environment - expecially the water system.

deny the Section 401 Water Quality Certification application for the proposed Constitution Pipeline.

Dear Governor Cuomo:

My name is A F, I am a registered Democrat and I live at ____Main Street, Hurleyville, NY.

I write today because I am concerned about the state of New York's water, a concern you yourself have recently voiced. I use the words composed by another because the water concerns have just become overwhelming in my busy life.

With that primary issue in mind, I request that you deny all pending applications for Water Quality Certification for the proposed Constitution Pipeline and all other natural gas, crude oil and petroleum product infrastructure projects in New York due to the state's well-documented inability to fulfill the requirements of Section 401 of the U. S. Clean Water Act.

Governor Cuomo Please Deny All Section 401 Water Quality Certification Applications for Proposed Fossil Fuel Pipelines in New York

Dear Governor Cuomo:

My name is D P and I live at ___ Elm St, Groton, NY 13073.

I write today because I believe you should stop allowing the Constitution Pipeline to proceed in New York State and deny it according to the DEC rules regarding a Water Quality Certificate which specifies that the proposed activity will not violate water quality standards under Section 401 of the US Clean Water Act.

No to Pipelines!

Dear Governor Cuomo:

My name is V F and I live at ___ Highland Ave, Yonkers, NY.

I write today because of the dangers to our health & welfare of fracking and pipelines.

The proposed Constitution Pipeline

Dear Governor Cuomo:

I am writing because I'm worried the proposed Constitution Pipeline might compromise water quality standards. I would like to ask that you deny all pending applications for Water Quality Certification for and all other natural gas, crude oil and petroleum product infrastructure projects in New York due to the state's inability to fulfill the requirements of Section 401 of the U. S. Clean Water Act.

There have been 114 spills all around New York, which have resulted in major explosions, fires, leaks, accidents, spills and toxic discharges which caused extensive water pollution hazards.

Please safeguard our fresh water resources.

Thank you.

Yours truly,

Scott F

Water Quality issues

Dear Governor Cuomo:

My name is M H and I live at ___ E ___ St, Corning, NY.

I write today because I want to you to know how strongly I feel about your actions (or inactions).

Governor Cuomo Please Deny All Section 401 Water Quality Certification Applications for Proposed Fossil Fuel Pipelines in New York

Dear Governor Cuomo:

My name is E R and I live at ___ Avenue, Larchmont, NY .

I write today because I want to stop the unnecessary proliferation of natural gas infrastructure.

Marcellus Shale

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Ten Days Until Tree-Felling Deadline for Proposed Constitution Pipeline/40 Days and Nights to Require Governor Cuomo to Deny the Section 401 Water Quality Certification Required for the Constitution Pipeline

DEC’s Unplugged Abandoned Wells Database & Overview Map

Marcellus Shale Interactive Map

Take Action Today