(headline) Pipeline construction in blue ridge up for public comment.

Dominion Energy North Carolina (DENC) has recently proposed an upcoming

project, permitting a 760-foot natural gas pipeline to be installed beneath the Blue Ridge

Parkway. While the window for public comment has been closed, critics have advised it

be reopened and extended before approving the project to be established.

Dominion needs a ROW (right-of-way) permit which can be issued by the NPS

(National Park Service) that would allow the construction, operation, and installment to

happen. The National Park Service accepted the public to have a say on the project from

January 7 through February 5, 2022, but the feedback received was mixed on the idea.

The purpose of the project was to reduce pressure on an aging segment of the

existing pipeline and reuse it, basically making it more efficient than the older one. A part

of the pipeline has been constructed already, approximately 11 miles of steel

underground which begins at Duke Energy’s Energy plant in Arden, and ends near Enka

Village. The last ending segment of the pipeline will go entirely underneath the Blue

Ridge Parkway and below the French Broad River, which is what has led up to the

controversy on the project. Science teacher Emily Charrette explains the effects of a

pipeline going underneath the parkway.

“Anytime you’re transporting something underground, there's potential for leaks. It's

not to say it's gonna happen or that it's for sure gonna happen, it’s just whether we think

we should take that risk,” said Charette.

Charette believes there is still a possibility for the pipeline to be faulty. Even if it seems

safe, it is unreliable and can still cause damage.

“There's gonna be a huge scar on the land just from digging the pipeline and putting it

there,” Charette said.

While this clearly may be an issue, Dominion Energy Environmental Assessment states

that it wouldn’t be a matter in question and there won’t be any interruptions or

annoyances throughout the process.

“No grading, land clearing, tree removal or other land disturbances within the

proposed ROW on the Parkway property is proposed,” according to the official

documents obtained from Dominion Energy.

The drilling procedure would occur and take approximately six to eight weeks before the

pipeline is installed.

The Blue Ridge Parkway, also known as “America's favorite drive” Is not only the home

for regional flora and fauna. Blue Ridge provides opportunities for “enjoying all that

makes this region of the country so special.” The Parkway, built in the 1930s has become

America’s most visited National Park providing environmentally friendly activities and

tons of outdoor recreation. The mountains are treasured and are the home to many

students here at Roberson. Sophomore Annette Sanchez shines a light on some of her

favorite memories at the Blue Ridge Parkway.

“It was always a place me and my family could go to now and even when I was a little

kid … Occasionally my family and I would go get takeout from our favorite restaurants

and go find a spot in the parkway to park and sit and hang out at.”

Annette cherishes the moments she gets with her family and loves that she gets to bond

with them over the parkway.

“It's a really nice place to have a good environment of communication…there are

many scenic overlooks that you will never get tired of.”

For other students like Aidan Morris, the Blue Ridge Parkway is the best go-to hangout

spot for him and his friends.

 “Me and my friends love to hang out at the parkway often, we’ll usually go hiking and

visit the creeks… I go about three to four days there out of the week. You know, It’s just

an open space and we like to go for fun.”

Most students agree that the parkway is a wonderful place for gathering and scenic

beauty, and if mass construction destroys it, they wouldn’t partake in going as often.

“I don't think there is much that could make me stop visiting the Parkway unless

they’d do construction over it and all the beautiful trees and scenery went away,”

Sanchez says.

The breathtaking mountain views and easy access to outdoor activities draw a number of

people to the Blue Ridge Parkway including senior Lela French,

“For me, the Parkway is the most convenient way to connect to nature and I have been

on it countless times in my life,” French said.

Going up to the parkway is French’s favorite outdoor activity during the warmer months.

She enjoys watching the sunset, hiking with her friends, and having picnics with her

loved ones.