LAKEWOOD, NY – The Defend Ohi:yo’ group is hosting a demonstration along Fairmount Ave. in Lakewood on Saturday, June 29.
Organizers say they will be on hand to demonstrate and call for the protection of New York’s streams and wetlands against National Fuel’s Northern Access Pipeline Project, which is being developed in order to carry natural gas from Pennsylvania into Canada, largely for export overseas.
The demonstration will run from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday along Fairmount Ave., in front of Chautauqua Mall.
According to organizers, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation denied National Fuel the water quality permits for its pipeline back in April 2017. But in August 2018, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission over-ruled New York and, pending a permit from the Army Corps of Engineers, is allowing the pipeline project to move forward.
The group claims National Fuel is disregarding the environmental concerns that led to the denied permits by the state and also say the pipeline needs to be stopped. In addition to disruption of wetlands, the group adds that the pipeline – once developed – will greatly increase fracking activities in Pennsylvania.
Defend Ohi:yo’ is a grassroots, non politically affiliated, community-based organization committed to the protection of the Allegheny River ( Ohi:yo’ in Seneca). The group meets every other Monday at 6pm at the Allegany Community Center, located at 3677 Administration Drive, Salamanca.
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