The Delaware River Basin Commission received a petition from the Delaware Riverkeeper Network urging it to take jurisdiction over the proposed PennEast pipeline project.

According to the Petition “The PennEast Project is a greenfields pipeline project that will result in the cutting of a 100 foot wide right-of-way for over 100 miles in the Basin, and will result in the disturbance of well over 1,200 acres of land.

“With a project of this magnitude, there is little doubt that the PennEast Pipeline will result in the alteration or destruction of well over 25 acres of wetlands and transform a sufficient magnitude of ground cover so as to trigger DRBC review.”

“Pipelines are a growing source of pollution and damage to our communities.  Pipeline companies are using the unequal power federal law gives them to try to muscle through their projects inflicting permanent damage to the lands, waters, public parks and forests, and the private properties and farms that fall in their path.  Pipelines that pass through the Delaware River watershed need a vigilant regulatory review and approval process that must include reviewing the impacts they will have on the water resources of the Delaware River and streams.  This is a review and perspective that no regulatory body will give except for the DRBC,” says Maya van Rossum, the Delaware Riverkeeper.  “To date the DRBC has avoided their obligations to review pipeline projects before they can inflict harm, it is time to turn that around.”

According to the Petition, the Delaware River Basin Compact, which provides for the mission and mandates of the DRBC, obligates the DRBC to review all projects with substantial effects on the water resources of the Basin for consistency with their Comprehensive Plan. 

“The level of land disturbance and the invasiveness of the tributary and wetland crossings associated with the PennEast pipeline are significant and would most certainly have an impact on the water resources of the Delaware River Basin.  There are no limitations or exceptions within the DRBC Compact or its Rules of Practice or Procedure that should exempt the PennEast pipeline from DRBC jurisdiction,” adds van Rossum.

A copy of the petition is available online.

9/15/2014