Mark Warner
P O Box 25767
Alexandria, VA 22313
703-271-2001

Dear Mr.Warner,

There are those of us in Floyd County who feel we are not being represented properly by the current elected officials. We are in the midst of trying to stop a proposed 30” natural gas pipeline that could greatly affect our precious water supply, destroy scenic views and private property and even displace home owners. This proposed line is a main feed to a proposed electrical plant in north Carolina. There is no benefit to the citizens of Virginia.

We are concerned for many reasons, the first being that we here in Floyd
County are at the top of the Blue Ridge and our streams feed 3 watersheds,
the Upper Roanoke, the Upper New and the Upper Dan. These watersheds feed
28 counties, 4 metropolitan areas, and include 110 rivers and streams which
cover a total of 10,453 river and stream miles according to the EPA. We are
one of 14 counties along the route that have no water flowing in to their
area, but miles and miles of rivers and waterways flow out from our high
county. We are concerned about silting during the construction process,
erosion of our delicate farmlands, the loss of timber, some of it Virgin, the potential loss of our wells and the danger of accidents either during or after construction. They have said they will have to blast the rocky hillsides and do "directional drilling" under our rivers.

Another major concern is the potential danger this pipeline poses.The Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) reports that from 1986-2000 the total of transmission and distribution incidents were 3,240 with 334 fatalities, 1,434 injuries and $502,339,152.00 in property damage. Recent incidents have occurred as close as winston salem, NC. Figuring little damage to property or life could be done to a rural county such as floyd, the proposed pipeline will be made of the thinnest materials required by law. You may want to have one of your aids look into a Fredricksburg attorneys report on pipeline safety at: http://www.vtce.org/LoosePages/OutofSight/localgovpipeline1.html

We don’t appreciate our land or our lives being considered expendable by politicians and large corporations.

This is being brought to your attention because you are up for election this fall and many of us would like to know your position. if you feel as we do, that there is no benefit nor good reason to put a scar That will range in size from 75ft to as much as 200 ft, through the center of our county, and our state, then we would like to enlist your voice.

In return we will duly note your efforts and remind voters that you supported us when we needed a helping hand.

Yours truly,