MVWatch was founded to perform aerial and field monitoring of Mountain Valley Pipeline construction for water contamination, slope failure, soil erosion, stream channel damage, and harm to adjacent properties, in order to assure compliance with environmental regulations. We are a collaboration of:
- local residents, landowners, and concerned citizens
- engineering and scientific experts
- nonprofit organizations and environmental groups
- students attending Virginia Tech and Blacksburg High School
Sierra Club Virginia Chapter provided initial funding and support for the Mountain Valley Watch program.
Program Elements
- Management of aerial and field observation information
- GIS Mapping of critical areas and violations
- Water quality/stream monitoring data collection
- Airplane and drone surveillance
- Review of observations for environmental violations
- System for reporting observations and protocol for reporting and follow-up by citizens and landowners
Our primary goal is to contribute to the mission of POWHR (Protect Our Water, Heritage, Rights) to hold Mountain Valley Pipeline accountable to environmental regulations, educate the public about the harms from MVP construction and potential operation, and help halt construction and operation of MVP. We also provide documentation and education that contribute to demands for improved transparency and meaningfulness in state and federal processes for certifying and regulating fossil fuel infrastructure projects.
Our work has expanded to consider additional efforts, including developing sustainable local renewable energy projects and assisting other communities working to resist and document similar crises.
