Preserve Giles County

Preserve Giles County (PGC) is a citizens group organized to oppose interstate gas pipelines, and the hydraulic fracturing they sustain, and to preserve our natural heritage and the way of life it provides.



We exist to empower citizens of our county, consistent with the principles of environmental democracy. We commit ourselves to pursue these goals by utilizing non­violent direct action, working with elected officials, and in coalition with other communities and environmental defense organizations. We are training and deploying Mountain Valley Watch volunteer monitors along the Mountain Valley Pipeline route to report threats to water from pipeline construction and to ensure enforcement of erosion and sedimentation controls.

In 2018 we will continue to work to expose the threats to our water, treasured national forests, The Appalachian National Scenic Trail, and our GROWING outdoor recreation economy.

Learn more about PGC here .

Fundraising contributions raised have sustained our work and provided these benefits to the community:

❧ Established a growing support fund to send volunteers out along the MVP construction route with training and equipment to hold pipeline contractors and enforcement agencies accountable for any permit violations. The Mountain Valley Watch is a joint effort with conservation groups and New River Geographics to document, report and follow up on incidents along the construction route that could threaten water, safety and health of citizens.

❧ Developed stronger legislation to protect landowners and the public from intrusive and abusive survey and construction tactics used by pipeline companies.

❧  Purchased an independent economic impact study to dispute vague claims of job creation by interstate fracked-gas pipeline companies. The study conducted by Key-Log Economics focused in part on Giles County.

❧  Funding of a proposal from Dr. Ernst Kastning to perform an evaluation and study of all documents submitted to FERC concerning karst geology along the MVP corridor. The focus of the study is (1) the impact of the pipeline on the geologic and hydrologic environment and (2) the constraints imposed by this environment on the integrity of the pipeline, including potential hazards that such a structure may imposes along its route. Other geologic issues, such as slope stability and regional seismicity are included in the study.

❧  Purchase of yard signs, t-shirts, fliers, calendars, banners, billboards, direct mailings and other educational materials to help promote our message. Our "Evacuation Zone" banners have been incredibly effective and this message was picked up by other counties and regions affected by MVP.

❧  Helped offset costs associated with twice-monthly meetings of the PGC steering committee, travel to and from hearings and events, fundraisers and other gatherings at our local community center. 

❧ Hosting of a major fundraiser at the Newport Community Center featuring the Larry Keel Experience with special guests Blue Mule.

❧ In coordination with Preserve Groups and POWHR, PGC led the purchase and distribution of The Truth about MVP, and exposed changes to the national forest management plan and FERC's intent to create Pipeline Alley in Southwest Virginia.

❧ Deployment of a PGC delegation to The People's Hearing to Investigate FERC where witnesses from Giles County joined dozens of angry citizens and testified at the National Press Club to abuses by FERC during the so-called public input period on Mountain Valley Pipeline.

❧ Raised awareness and encouraged participation in 2 meetings of the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality in Radford and Newport.



Your donation proves that we are all in this together as we fight to preserve this beautiful corner of Virginia and an economy built on sustainable eco-tourism, cultural heritage, and unwavering commitment to our land and water rights. Thank you for believing that we can win this fight.