Hi Folks
I stopped at the protest site for the Constitution pipeline last thursday
afternoon and had a really great visit with some folks there. The main guy
I talked to has been boiling sap for 21 days in a temporary camp they have
set up right on the pipeline path. A judge has issued a "partial order to
proceed" to allow pre-construction tree cutting to begin, even though the
FERC permitting is not yet complete for the pipeline. They hope to have it
built and in service by the end of this year. The NED pipeline coming our
way will parallel this one for a while, then veer north toward us.
My contact said they received no warning whatsoever about surveyors coming
on to the property. you can see the orange stakes running through the bush
and open fields marking the pipeline path. Most of the neighbors are fine
with the pipeline. Many of them got money for fracking rights on their
properties anyway. Surveying consisted only of orange ribbons on trees and
stakes. There was no tree cutting or blasting etc involved.
Local and state police have refused to move the protesters but there was a
hearing yesterday in federal court to authorize federal marshals to run
them off. I have not heard yet the result of that but its possible that
the trees have been cut down by now. The path goes right through a working
sugar bush.
I am submitting a short piece for the montague reporter this week where you
can read a little more.
It was very encouraging to meet these folks. They do not hold out much, or
any, hope of stopping the Constitution pipeline but, they have definitely
raised awareness of the issues. They have had supporters come from 7
states to show solidarity.
talk more soon.
Alistair.
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