The Monongahela National Forest and FERC have rejected Freedomworks' study permit request. 

The study permit would have allowed the company to access the National Forest, take soil samples, conduct core drilling and do other survey activities in the proposed project area. The major sticking point was the impact to the Big Run Bog, which is a National Natural Landmark recognized by the National Parks Service, but the Forest Service was also concerned about impacts to a Tier 3 trout stream, endangered species and other sensitive resources. In early March, the Forest Service issued a decision stating that the company's proposed activities were not consistent with the Forest standards and guidelines, and for that reason the permit was rejected.

On April 12th, FERC denied the project a preliminary permit, on the basis that there was no point in authorizing a permit for work on federal lands if the federal agency did not support the project.

You can read the letter from the Forest Service to the company here. The Forest Service also sent a letter explaining their decision to FERC, which you can read here.

FERC's letter denying the preliminary permit is here.

If additional public comment opportunities arise, we will post them on this page.