Support for MVWatch Monitors
Donation protected
Mountain Valley Watch was created to monitor & document the erosion and sediment damage caused by the clearing and trenching of the Mountain Valley Pipeline, which crosses through Giles County.
Three volunteer MVWatch monitors were trying to hike up Sinking Creek Mountain to monitor and document the erosion and sediment runoff in the Jefferson National Forest. A private logging road they were planning to use to drive as far as possible was blocked by an MVP vehicle, so they asked MVP personnel where they could park. MVP personnel told them to park on the right of way for the pipeline. After documenting sites of failing erosion devises in the National Forest and hiking back down to their vehicles, the monitors found their cars barricaded by a berm of earth that had been placed after they began their hike, and by 8 law enforcement vehicles - both county and state police. State troopers took the monitor's names and 4 days later the three were served with notices that they were charged with trespassing on MVP right of way. This is a blatant set up by MVP to discourage and intimidate MVWatch monitors.
These are trespassing charges with a court date of November 20, 2018, and the monitors now need legal representation, which none of them can afford. The monitors are all local residents with limited incomes. They have no choice but to obtain legal counsel to represent them. I am seeking assistance on their behalf for the cost of this legal counsel.
Three volunteer MVWatch monitors were trying to hike up Sinking Creek Mountain to monitor and document the erosion and sediment runoff in the Jefferson National Forest. A private logging road they were planning to use to drive as far as possible was blocked by an MVP vehicle, so they asked MVP personnel where they could park. MVP personnel told them to park on the right of way for the pipeline. After documenting sites of failing erosion devises in the National Forest and hiking back down to their vehicles, the monitors found their cars barricaded by a berm of earth that had been placed after they began their hike, and by 8 law enforcement vehicles - both county and state police. State troopers took the monitor's names and 4 days later the three were served with notices that they were charged with trespassing on MVP right of way. This is a blatant set up by MVP to discourage and intimidate MVWatch monitors.
These are trespassing charges with a court date of November 20, 2018, and the monitors now need legal representation, which none of them can afford. The monitors are all local residents with limited incomes. They have no choice but to obtain legal counsel to represent them. I am seeking assistance on their behalf for the cost of this legal counsel.
Organizer
Donna Pitt
Organizer
Maybrook, VA
