Pollution Control Permit allows for Atlantic Coast Pipeline inspection

A State General Water Pollution Control Permit has been issued from the Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Waste and Water Management.

The permit was brought up in today's Upshur County commission meeting and it's meant to regulate storm water runoff that comes from oil and gas related construction, in particular, building the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. According to the D.E.P, proper engineering and other accepted methods will be installed during the pipeline construction. These installations will be able to control pollutants of storm water runoff even after the project is completed.

"It's very important. Whenever you're crossing a stream or going under a stream, you want to make sure you do the least amount of disturbing to the environment as possible" says Upshur County Commission President Sam Nolte.

The Construction Storm Water Permit gives the DEP the ability to enforce and inspect at any part of the construction process.

Communication director for the D.E.P says that these inspections ensure that work is being done properly and safely, but there are only so many inspectors, so if you see something, say something.

"If they see something that they think may not be right, if they see muddy water in a stream, if they see runoff from the pipeline to go ahead and give us a call and let us know, because even though we have a lot of inspectors, we can't be everywhere at once" says Communication Director for the Department of Environmental Protection Jake Glance.