PRESERVE FRANKLIN
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A Chapter of Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 18, 2016

Mike Carter (Preserve Franklin Chairman)| MikeandChrisCarter@gmail.com | (540) 493-5287
Carolyn Reilly (BREDL Community Organizer) | CarolynReilly3@gmail.com | (540) 488-4358

Pipeline Opponents Say County Deceived Residents
Demand NO Easement Agreement

Franklin County, VA – Today at a public hearing, opponents of the proposed Mountain Valley Pipeline presented their arguments against an easement agreement to the Franklin County Board of Supervisors. Many landowners expressed outrage at the deception by the Board about its position on the agreement.

Chairman of Preserve Franklin, Mike Carter, stated: “For two years, we’ve been speaking to you about the many concerns regarding the proposed pipeline; repeatedly we’ve heard you express that you don’t have enough information and the board chooses to remain neutral. Now you are making a clear statement about your desire for this project to be constructed through our beautiful county.”

Others from community expressed fear over what signing such an agreement means for the region. Dave Werner, a local landowner and member of Preserve Franklin said, “Signing a Permanent Right of Way Easement agreement with the proposed Mountain Valley Pipeline is a death sentence for landowners across our beautiful county and throughout the region.” Werner continued, “If you choose to sign, you are stripping private property rights for the many landowners, farmers and citizens who seek to protect their homes and land; as stated in Virginia’s Bill of Rights: That no person shall be deprived of his life, liberty, or property.”

Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League (BREDL) Community Organizer, Carolyn Reilly, presented at the hearing. Reilly is also an affected landowner as her family’s farm is in the proposed path of the Mountain Valley Pipeline near the County’s land recently purchased to develop into a business park. Reilly said, “These easement agreements have absolutely no benefit for landowners, whether county or family owned. The agreement raises multiple alarms – from safety to allowable usage of property – all initiated by a Delaware Limited Liability Company – NOT a Virginia Public Corporation. The Supervisors must reject this unfair, illegal agreement.”

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Preserve Franklin is a group of concerned citizens taking a stand for landowner rights against the abuse of eminent domain by private companies and against the environmental and safety risks of gas pipelines.